"Song to the Siren" is a song written by Tim Buckley and his writing partner Larry Beckett and was first released on Buckley's 1970 album Starsailor.
The songs reference to the siren tempting sailors at sea stems from greek mythology, notably used in Homer's epic Odyssey. The siren is a mythical half-woman-half-bird creature which uses its beautiful voice to distract seamen and scupper their ships. This lyrical style is an example of Larry Beckett's literary inspirations, and stands in direct contrast to Buckley's own writing style.
The song has become perhaps Buckley's most famous song due to a number of artists covering the song after his death in 1975. It has featured as a cover on studio albums by Robert Plant on 2002 release Dreamland, by Geoff Smith on 1997 album Black Flowers, and by This Mortal Coil on 1984 album It'll End in Tears, where it was also released as a single. The single had moderate success, spending 13 weeks in the UK charts and peaking at #66 on October 23, 1983. This Mortal Coil was a collective name for artists on the 4AD Records label and Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins performed the song.
Lyrics
On the floating, shipless, oceans I did all my best to smile til your singing eyes and fingers drew me loving into your eyes. And you sang "Sail to me, sail to me, Let me enfold you." Here I am, here I am waiting to hold you.
Did I dream you dreamed about me? Were you here when I was full sail? Now my foolish boat is leaning, broken lovelorn on your rocks. For you sang "Touch me not, touch me not, Come back tomorrow." Oh my heart, oh my heart shies from the sorrow.
I'm as puzzled as a newborn child. I'm as riddled as the tide. Should I stand amid the breakers? Or shall I lie with death my bride? Here me sing: "Swim to me, swim to me, Let me enfold you."
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment