Celebrate the magnificence of the seas. How long ago, how many lifetimes passed before our ancestors evolved out of the waters and learned to navigate on land. Mariners have taken to the sea in rafts, barques and sloops moved by the winds and tides to destinations far beyond the horizon. How small we are out there and outrageously brave to ride the waves and steer by the stars. It must be the call of the old self that draws us to sail. We may have evolved into a land species, but never lost the mesmerizing love of being at sea.This song, recorded by Steven Stills and Graham Nash in 1982 captures the glory of the sea in it’s melody. The lyrics tell the adventures of Music and crew as she sails through the southern seas. Life is turbulent for the sailor, love has come, love is lost. Solace is found in star light.
Crosby, Stills, and Nash are so fine and rare a musical group. It’s easy to feel Stills enchantment in his voice. What flows through them is the kiss and hiss of surf. Southern Cross rolls with the lightest acoustic instrumentation. The chiming guitars are the wave crests. The harmonies are mellow, comforting and marvelous. Why is it when I hear their songs, I feel at home?
A song that celebrates the human effort to realize we are a part of it all, “Cause the truth you might be runnin’ from is so small, But it’s as big as the promise, the promise of a comin’ day”
Hail the great seas, the great Crux, and the greatness of Crosby, Stills, Nash (and Young).
Got out of town on a boat goin’ to Southern Islands
Sailing a reach before a followin’ sea
She was makin’ for the trades on the outside
And the downhill run to Papeete
Off the wind on this heading lie the Marquesas
We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away
Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin’
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
Around the world (I have been around the world)
Lookin’ (lookin’ for that woman girl)
Who knows she knows (who knows love can endure)
And you know it will
When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You understand now why you came this way
‘Cause the truth you might be runnin’ from is so small
But it’s as big as the promise, the promise of a comin’ day
So I’m sailing for tomorrow my dreams are a-dyin’
And my love is an anchor tied to you (tied with a silver chain)
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin’
She is all that I have left and music is her name
Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin’
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
I have been around the world (I have been around the world)
Lookin’ (lookin’ for that woman girl)
(Who knows love can endure)
And you know it will
And you know it will
So we cheated and we lied and we tested
And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you
And the southern cross
Songwriters: Michael Curtis / Richard Curtis / Stephen Stills
Southern Cross lyrics © Music Sales Corporation
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