Boat Song
Woodkid★ Lyrics
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Untied the knot and raised the sail
We threw our hearts into the sea
Forgot all of our memories
The wind was sweet and smelled of home
The sea was rough and felt unknown
Escaping shores of lunacy
Can we keep our bearing straight
Or will we be blown off course
Are we instruments of fate?
Do we really have a choice?
A voice whispers in the gales
Like in the songs and childhood tales
Where krakens raging in the sea
Crack ships into a million pieces
Can we keep our bearing straight?
Or will we be blown off course?
Are we instruments of fate?
Do we really have a choice?
We threw our hearts into the sea
Forgot all of our memories
The song “Boat Song” by Woodkid is a ballad about leaving a past life behind and embarking on a new journey. The opening lines depict the act of leaving a place behind, with the singer saying goodbye and disembarking with their baggage. When they raise their sails, they metaphorically let go of the past, throwing their hearts into the sea as they set off on a new journey. The second verse describes the uncertainty that comes with setting sail, with the sea representing the unknown. The singer wonders whether they will be able to keep to their intended path or be blown off course, questioning whether they have any control over their destiny or if they are simply vessels for fate to steer.
The third verse introduces a sense of danger, with a mysterious voice whispering in the wind, evoking childhood tales of monsters and mythical creatures that could capsize their ship. The repetition of the refrain, “Can we keep our bearing straight? Or will we be blown off course? Are we instruments of fate? Do we really have a choice?” emphasizes the uncertainty and fear of the journey ahead. Ultimately, the singer throws their heart into the sea once again, seemingly embracing the unknown and letting go of their past memories.
Overall, “Boat Song” is a poignant reflection on the act of leaving behind one’s past and embracing the uncertainty of the future. It highlights the fear and doubt that comes with embarking on such a journey but ultimately suggests that it is necessary to let go and move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
We packed our bags and said farewell
We left everything we knew behind and embarked on a journey.
Untied the knot and raised the sail
We let go of our old lives and embraced the uncertainty of the journey ahead.
We threw our hearts into the sea
We left behind all our emotions and attachments, and focused on the present journey.
Forgot all of our memories
We left behind all the memories that held us back, and focused on the future.
The wind was sweet and smelled of home
The breeze reminded us of our home, giving us a sense of comfort and familiarity.
The sea was rough and felt unknown
The roughness of the sea made us feel uncertain, as the journey ahead was unfamiliar.
Escaping shores of lunacy
We left behind the crazy, chaotic world we knew, hoping to find peace and clarity.
Dawn light, twilight, infinity
Our journey had just begun, and it felt like endless possibilities lay ahead.
Can we keep our bearing straight
We wondered if we would be able to stay on track and not lose our way.
Or will we be blown off course
We feared that we might stray from our path, due to uncontrollable external forces.
Are we instruments of fate?
We questioned whether our destiny was predetermined and we were mere pawns in the grand scheme of things.
Do we really have a choice?
We wondered if we had any control over our journey, or if it was all predetermined.
A voice whispers in the gales
We heard voices in the wind that seemed to guide us on our journey, providing a sense of reassurance.
Like in the songs and childhood tales
The voices reminded us of the stories we grew up hearing, instilling a sense of nostalgia.
Where krakens raging in the sea
The voices spoke of the monsters that lurked in the depths of the sea, reminding us of the dangers that lay ahead.
Crack ships into a million pieces
The voices spoke of the destructive power of the sea, and how it could shatter even the strongest of ships.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Yoann Lemoine, Mitchell Yoshida
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LuxMeow
"The song was written about the life and death of the two lovers – Robert Capa and Gerda Taro.
Taro was born in 1910 into a Jewish family in Germany. In 1933 she was arrested due to political activities against the Nazi regime. After Taro was released, she fled to Paris, where she met Robert Capa. Capa, Hungarian born Jew (who was born named Andrew Friedman), fled to Germany and then to Paris in 1933 as well, where he continued his career as a photographer of war. Over time, the young couple fell in love, and with this love, Taro Love has emerged to Capa’s profession of war photography. Within a few years she mastered the profession and became one of the first women in the field of war photography, and sadly at the age of 27 she was the first woman that was killed while fulfilling her job (in the Barnett 1937 as part of the Spanish Civil War).
Kappa paid this heavy psychological cost – not only lost the the love of his life, he also blamed himself for her death – since he was not there with her. Despite the loss and pain, Capa went on to document the Spanish Civil War till the end of the war.
Capa photographed many more wars, including World War II.
Capa was killed in the line of duty as a photographer War Indochina War in 1954, at age 40, when he ran over a mine.
Capa managed to stay true to his principals – in his eyes, it was crucial to document the war from the perspective of an average soldier and accordingly, he would say:
“If your photographs are not good enough, you’re not close enough”.
The band Alt-J decided to release a song dedicated to this couple who loved one another and was also devoted to their work, Ultimately they paid this remarkable devotion with their life."
@roxanamotoc5359
Indochina, Capa jumps Jeep
Two feet creep up the road
To photo, to record, meat lumps and war
They advance as does his chance, ohh
Very yellow-white flash
A violent wrench grips mass
Rips light, tears limbs like rags
Burst so high, finally Capa lands
Mine is a watery pit
Painless with immense distance
From medic, from colleague, friend, enemy, foe
Him five yards from his leg
From you Taro, oh
Do not spray into eyes
I have sprayed you into my eyes
3:10 p.m.
Capa pends death, quivers, last rattles, last chokes
All colours and cares glaze to grey
Shriveled and stricken to dots
The left hand grasps what the body grasps not, ohh
Le photographe est mort
3.1415, alive no longer my amour
Faded for home May of '54
Doors open like arms, my love
Painless with a great closeness
To Capa, to Capa Capa dark after nothing
Re-united with his leg
And with you, Taro, oh
Taro, ohh
Do not spray into eyes
I have sprayed you into my eyes
Hey, Taro!
@stayhighlovepeaceart8672
lyrics
Indochina, Capa jumps Jeep, two feet creep up the road
To photo, to record meat lumps and war,
They advance as does his chance -- very yellow white flash.
A violent wrench grips mass, rips light, tears limbs like rags,
Burst so high finally Capa lands,
Mine is a watery pit. Painless with immense distance
From medic from colleague, friend, enemy,
foe, him five yards from his leg, From you Taro.
Do not spray into eyes -- I have sprayed you into my eyes.
3:10 pm, Capa pends death, quivers, last rattles, last chokes
All colours and cares glaze to grey, shrivelled and stricken to dots,
Left hand grasps what the body grasps not -- le photographe est mort.
3.1415, alive no longer my amour, faded for home May of '54
Doors open like arms my love, Painless with a great closeness
To Capa, to Capa Capa dark after nothing,
re-united with his leg and with you, Taro.
Do not spray into eyes -- I have sprayed you into my eyes.
Hey Taro!
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@Chamsiee
I remember that I used to listen to this song when I was 19 broke and depressed. I used to listen to and imagine my future. I used to say that I would make it, and it helped me a lot to battle my depression and suicidal thoughts. Today I'm finally listening to it almost six years after the first time. I can't believe I'm still alive. I studied, lived in foreign countries, loved, created my organisation. I wish someone could read my comment and understand that nothing is permanent you will make it. People love you, and you deserve everything and more. I'm so grateful I believed in myself and you should do it too.
ps: thanks so much for all your answers. It warms my heart!! I wish you all to love yourself unconditionally and not be too hard on yourself! And I am a woman :)
@lindsaygonzales3598
omg my story is so similar. i used to listen to this in highschool when i was lonely & depressed & just wanted to escape my home so badly. i would daydream to this song & other alt j songs all the time. now 4 years later i've traveled the world, live in a beautiful place & am so in love with my life. im happy for us!
@Chamsiee
@@lindsaygonzales3598 love your comment and your journey!
@talitafalcao6540
hey! I'm not much of a commenter on youtube, but I read your comment and I'm going through something similar to what you experienced at 19 years old. and I honestly have your comment as a spark in my life. really strengthened me. I hope to come back here in a few years to say that I believed in myself and that I'm fine.
@Chamsiee
@@talitafalcao6540 I am glad you can reflect on my comment. Better times will come. It is ok to feel down sometimes, and never forget to take care of yourself!
@aldycarrasco2557
I'm 20 and I'm through difficult times with depression. Your comment gives me hope. Thank you
@rickdeckardin21thcentury14
When i listen to this song, i live a million of lifes.
@devangsingh1866
lives*
@devangsingh1866
@@Postanjo yea but what's wrong with correcting people's English?
@gabrielalacourtrodrigues6964
Everytime I listen to I am overwhelmed with feelings that I can't quite put my finger on, both positive and negative feelings. It is a very intense experience everytime and even more so if i am watching this clipe.