After the release of some EPs and singles, the group signed with Merge Records who released their second album, Long Goodbye, in 2003. After a world tour, they headed back to the studio in fall of 2005 to begin work on their third album, Cannibal Sea, which was released in March of 2006.
By The Sea
The Essex Green Lyrics
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Wind blowing down
Bells ring a sigh, of good morning, goodbye...
Ooooo...
Faces pass you by on a blue train flyin' high
Who do you see this time?
Everybody's talkin' at once
They got the look of a stranger
Ooh..
The shoreline is a map, as sure as anyone you've ever known
Tracing the way
To good morning, good day...
Ooooo...
The Essex Green's "By The Sea" lyrics evoke a contemplative and introspective mood, as the subject of the song reflects on the passing of time and the cyclical nature of life, symbolized by the sea and the shore. The opening line, "A moment taken slowly by the sea," is a vivid image of the song's main setting, with the sea serving as a metaphor for the vastness and mystery of life. The wind blowing down and the bells ringing add to this sense of contemplation, implying a moment of pause and reflection.
As the song progresses, the lyrics move from the natural world to the human world, with the faceless passengers on a passing train becoming a representation of the fleetingness of time and the many connections and relationships we make in life. The repetition of "good morning, goodbye" reinforces this idea of the passage of time and the dual nature of life. Even as we say hello to new people and experiences, we must also say goodbye to those that have passed.
The shoreline, "a map, as sure as anyone you've ever known," serves as a comforting constant in the song's narrative, a reminder that even as everything else changes, the sea and the shore remain a constant presence. The song's closing line, "To good morning, good day," is a fitting conclusion, summing up the song's themes of life's cycles and the importance of staying present in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
A moment taken slowly by the sea
The singer is taking a moment to appreciate the calmness of the sea and soak it in slowly.
Wind blowing down
The wind is blowing down on the singer, making them feel the breeze and helping them connect with nature.
Bells ring a sigh, of good morning, goodbye...
The sound of bells ringing is a reminder of new beginnings and farewells, as if saying hello to a new day while bidding goodbye to the past.
Faces pass you by on a blue train flyin' high
As the artist watches faces pass by on a fast-moving train, it reminds them of how easily people come and go in our lives.
Who do you see this time?
The artist ponders who they will see next, acknowledging that they never know who they might encounter during their journey through life.
Everybody's talkin' at once
There is a lot of noise and chaos in the world, with everyone talking and vying for attention at the same time.
They got the look of a stranger
Amidst the clamor, nobody seems familiar to the singer anymore, as if the world has become a strange and distant place.
The shoreline is a map, as sure as anyone you've ever known
The shoreline serves as a guide and a constant in the artist's life, just as reliable as any trusted person they have ever known.
Tracing the way
The artist is following the path laid out by the shoreline, letting it lead them to their next destination.
To good morning, good day...
The shoreline is leading the artist to a new day and a fresh start, filled with endless possibilities.
Contributed by Alexandra I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.