Sailing
Roger Whittaker Lyrics

The song "Sailing" by Roger Whittaker is a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to a loved one who the singer yearns to be with. The lyrics are filled with metaphors of sailing and flying to emphasize the idea of freedom and the lengths the singer is willing to go to be with the person they love. The song begins with the lines "I am sailing, I am sailing, home again 'cross the sea" which indicate that the singer is on a journey, returning to a place they consider home. The following line, "I am sailing stormy waters, to be near you, to be free" suggests that the journey is not an easy one, and may be filled with obstacles and challenges, much like sailing through stormy waters. The singer is willing to brave these difficulties in order to be near their loved one and experience the freedom that comes with being with them.

The second verse continues the theme of movement and freedom that the first verse establishes. The line "I am flying, passing high clouds, to be with you, to be free" makes use of the metaphor of flying to emphasize the sense of freedom the singer feels when they are with their loved one. The use of the phrase "passing high clouds" evokes a sense of lightness and ease as the singer moves closer to their loved one. However, this sense of freedom is not without its challenges, as the next lines "Can you hear me, can you hear me, thro' the dark night, far away, I am dying, forever trying, to be with you, who can say" suggest. The singer is aware of the distance between themselves and their loved one, and they are aware of the challenges that lie ahead as they attempt to close that gap.

By the time the final verse arrives, the focus has shifted away from the singer as an individual and towards the idea of "we". The repetition of "we are sailing" emphasizes the sense of togetherness as the singer and their loved one embark on a journey together. The line "We are sailing stormy waters, to be near you, to be free" reiterates the idea of freedom that runs through the entire song, while also emphasizing the determination and strength of the bond between the singer and their loved one.

Overall, "Sailing" is a beautiful example of a love song that uses imagery and metaphor to convey the depth of the singer's feelings. The song portrays love as a journey, filled with obstacles and challenges, but also with a sense of freedom and joy that comes from being with the person you love.