Song To The Siren

The song 'Song To The Siren' by This Mortal Coil is a hauntingly beautiful track that delves into themes of longing, love, and the pain of unattainable desires. The lyrics are rich with metaphor and allusion, painting a picture of a sailor drawn to the siren's call, a common motif in mythology representing dangerous and irresistible temptation.

The opening lines set a scene of isolation on the 'floating, shapeless oceans,' suggesting a sense of aimlessness and vulnerability. The siren's 'singing eyes and fingers' personify the call of love or desire, drawing the sailor in despite the potential dangers. This is a classic portrayal of the siren's allure, which is both enchanting and perilous. The repeated plea, 'Sail to me, let me enfold you,' emphasizes the depth of the yearning, while 'Here I am, waiting to hold you' conveys a sense of readiness and anticipation for the embrace, despite the risks involved.

The latter part of the song introduces a shift in tone, revealing the consequences of succumbing to the siren's call. The 'foolish boat' is a metaphor for the singer's own heart or self, now 'broken' and 'lost on your rocks,' indicating the destructive aftermath of this encounter. The siren's change in message, 'Touch me not, come back tomorrow,' suggests an unending cycle of longing and rejection, leading to a profound sorrow that the heart is hesitant to revisit. The final lines question whether to continue pursuing this elusive love or to accept the finality of loss, likened to lying with 'death my bride.' The song ends with a reversal of the siren's call, as the singer now implores the siren to 'Swim to me,' indicating a role reversal and the enduring hope for connection.