Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tumblin' on the seas
Far away from dry land
And it's bitter memories
Castin' out my sweet line
With abandonment and love
No ceiling bearin' down on me
Save the starry sky above
With light in my head
With you in my arms
I wish I was the brakeman
On a hurtlin' fevered train
Crashin head long into the heartland
Like a cannon in the rain
With the feelin of the sleepers
And the burnin of the coal
Countin the towns flashin by
And a night that's full of soul
With light in my head
With you in my arms
And I know I will be loosened
From the bonds that hold me fast
And the chains all around me
Will fall away at last
And on that grand and fateful day
I will take thee in my hand
I will ride on a train
I will be the fisherman
With light in my head
You in my arms
Light in my head
You in my arms
Light in my head
You
With light in my head
You in my arms
The Waterboys' song Fisherman's Blues is a tune that perfectly encapsulates the desire for escape and freedom. It starts with the singer wishing he was a fisherman, far from the shore and away from his bitter memories. He longs to be casting his line, free from any constrictions, with the vastness of the starry sky above him. The chorus talks about him having light in his head and the person he loves in his arms, which suggests that he wants to find peace and love away from the stressful life he's left behind.
In the second verse, the singer still wishes for freedom, but this time as a brakeman on a train heading towards the heartland at breakneck speed. He longs to feel the rush of the wind and the burn of the coal, as he counts the towns that flash by. Once again, he wants to escape the chains that bind him and experience something more profound and meaningful. The final verse suggests that the singer will escape the restrictions he is facing and take his love's hand when the time is right. He will ride on a train, but instead of being a brakeman, he will be a fisherman. This implies that he wants to outgrow his past and live his life on his terms.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I was a fisherman
I long to live a life where I am free to roam the seas and escape the painful memories of dry land.
Tumblin' on the seas
I want to experience the thrilling ups and downs of sailing on the open water.
Far away from dry land
I desire to be as remote as possible from the land where my memories and sorrows reside.
And it's bitter memories
I am burdened by the unpleasant recollections of my past.
Castin' out my sweet line
I will throw my fishing line out into the water with abandon and love.
With abandonment and love
I will fish with an unbridled and affectionate heart.
No ceiling bearin' down on me
I want to live without any constraints or limitations and look up at the endless sky above me, unrestrained.
Save the starry sky above
The only thing bearing down upon me is the vast, starry sky above.
With light in my head
I am filled with a feeling of brightness and possibility inside me.
With you in my arms
I am with someone I love and who brings me joy and comfort.
I wish I was the brakeman
I long to be the person who can control the speed and momentum of a fast-moving train.
On a hurtlin' fevered train
I want to be on a train that is moving at a breakneck pace, sparking excitement and passion within me.
Crashin headlong into the heartland
I want to be part of something that is so powerful and impactful, like a train crashing into the heart of the land.
Like a cannon in the rain
I want to have an explosive and dramatic entrance, like a cannonball in the rain.
With the feelin of the sleepers
I want to experience the motion and sensation of a train rumbling down the tracks, with the passengers sleeping soundly inside.
And the burnin of the coal
I want to feel the heat and energy that is generated by burning coal, fueling the train's journey.
Countin the towns flashin by
As the train hurtles past various towns, I will count them and take note of their individual characteristics.
And a night that's full of soul
I anticipate a night full of passion and vitality, like the train that I am on.
And I know I will be loosened
I am confident that I will someday be liberated from the things that have held me back thus far.
From the bonds that hold me fast
The chains that have tied me down for so long will be broken and released.
And the chains all around me
I am surrounded by emotional and physical limitations that I am desperate to shed.
Will fall away at last
I believe that my past struggles and hardships will finally come to an end.
And on that grand and fateful day
I anticipate a significant and momentous day when all of my longings will be fulfilled.
I will take thee in my hand
I will embrace the person I love and pull them close to me.
I will ride on a train
I will take a journey on a train, transporting me to a new and brighter future.
I will be the fisherman
I will finally be free to pursue my dreams, like a skilled fisherman casting his line into the vast ocean.
You in my arms
I am with the one I love, who brings me comfort and joy.
With light in my head
I am filled with hope, optimism, and possibilities.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SCOTT, WICKHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1rsk1
I wish I was a fisherman
tumblin' on the seas
far away from dry land
and it's bitter memories
castin' out my sweet line
with abandonment and love
no ceiling bearin' down on me
save the starry sky above
with light in my head
with you in my arms...
i wish i was the brakeman
on a hurtlin fevered train
crashin head long into the heartland
like a cannon in the rain
with the feelin of the sleepers
and the burnin of the coal
countin the towns flashin by
and a night that's full of soul
with light in my head
with you in my arms...
And I know I will be loosened
from the bonds that hold me fast
and the chains all around me
will fall away at last
and on that grand and fateful day
I will take thee in my hand
I will ride on a train
I will be the fisherman
With light in my head
You in my arms...
Light in my head
You in my arms...
Light in my head
You...
With light in my head
You in my arms...
@1rsk1
I wish I was a fisherman
tumblin' on the seas
far away from dry land
and it's bitter memories
castin' out my sweet line
with abandonment and love
no ceiling bearin' down on me
save the starry sky above
with light in my head
with you in my arms...
i wish i was the brakeman
on a hurtlin fevered train
crashin head long into the heartland
like a cannon in the rain
with the feelin of the sleepers
and the burnin of the coal
countin the towns flashin by
and a night that's full of soul
with light in my head
with you in my arms...
And I know I will be loosened
from the bonds that hold me fast
and the chains all around me
will fall away at last
and on that grand and fateful day
I will take thee in my hand
I will ride on a train
I will be the fisherman
With light in my head
You in my arms...
Light in my head
You in my arms...
Light in my head
You...
With light in my head
You in my arms...
@ggm5983
Thank you for taking the time writing the lyrics!👏🏻👏🏻
@lyndaehrlich4243
Mike scott rules!
@m0rdred1971
it all makes sense
@joannaa25
yay! now I can sing along like a bauss
@alexodonnell88
Life save matey!!! Ahoyyyy
@898yobitch
For my husband that passed away last year... This was our song.
@robertkidson8696
A man with good taste!.
@clintdavies491
xxxxxxxxxxxx
@liamcronin8110
lots of love from this random youtube person