Letter From a Lifeboat
The Sugargliders Lyrics
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Then it’s all the time that’s long since come
A match struck at midnight makes our faces glow
The shimmer on the water look like dancing
So we did
Did something
Did something
Did something
Did something
Did someone
Letter from a lifeboat to a loved one
The weather’s here whistling I was too
I heard a message call from a lost train
You never realize just how good the ship was
Til it’s gone
Did something
Did something
Did someone
Did something
Did something
Did someone
All along the art and it’s quite natural you know
Snowed over mountains, always winter
A match struck at midnight makes an awful mess
If it’s in our lifeboat sailing blindy
On a black black Sea
On a black black Sea
On a black black Sea
On a black black Sea
On a black black Sea
The lyrics to "Letter From a Lifeboat" by The Sugargliders appear to be about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have. The opening lines suggest that things in our dreams are not always what they seem, perhaps alluding to the idea that life itself can be unpredictable and full of unexpected twists and turns. As the song progresses, we hear about a match being struck at midnight, causing faces to glow and the water to shimmer like dancing. This imagery evokes a sense of fleeting beauty and the idea that we should appreciate these small moments of joy and wonder in life.
The title of the song, "Letter From a Lifeboat," adds to this sense of impermanence and the need to cherish what we have while we have it. The lyrics describe the weather whistling and a lost train calling out, reminding us of the importance of staying connected to the world around us and not taking anything for granted. The idea that we never realize how good something is until it's gone is a common theme throughout the song, further emphasizing the importance of appreciating the present moment.
The repeated phrases "Did something/Did someone" at the end of each verse add a sense of urgency to the song, as though the lyrics are challenging us to take action and make the most of our time while we have it. The final lines "On a black black Sea" are ominous, perhaps suggesting that life can be dark and uncertain at times, but the beauty and joy that we find along the way make it all worthwhile.
Line by Line Meaning
Things within dreams are not always what they seem
The things we dream may appear different from reality.
Then it’s all the time that’s long since come
The time that has passed cannot be recovered.
A match struck at midnight makes our faces glow
Lighting a match at midnight illuminates our faces.
The shimmer on the water look like dancing
The sparkle on the water appears to be moving.
So we did
We took action.
Did something
We took action and did something.
Did someone
We took action and impacted someone.
Letter from a lifeboat to a loved one
A written message sent from a lifeboat to a loved one.
The weather’s here whistling I was too
The sound of the whistling weather was echoed by the sender.
I heard a message call from a lost train
The sender received a message from a train that is off course.
You never realize just how good the ship was
It's only after losing something that we realize its value.
Til it’s gone
We may not appreciate something until we lose it.
All along the art and it’s quite natural you know
Art can be found everywhere and it's a natural part of life.
Snowed over mountains, always winter
The mountains are perpetually covered with snow.
A match struck at midnight makes an awful mess
A match lit at midnight can be messy.
If it’s in our lifeboat sailing blindy
If we're navigating our lifeboat without proper guidance.
On a black black Sea
In the midst of a dark and treacherous sea.
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.