Story Behind The Song

My friend Christa De Vries wrote this beautiful poem some years ago, and when I read it, the words immediately spoke to me. I started to sing a melody along with the verses, the melody came to me automatically, and decided there and then to write the notes down. I did not have much composing knowledge/education at the time, and decided to do some courses. After about two years I gained enough confidence to submit the song to UK Songwriters Competition, and received a Highly Commended for my score.

Song Description

The melody and words suggest the painful longing within one's heart for your country of birth which you had to leave behind to build a new life in a new country. Your heart, love and loyalties are torn apart: Missing your country and your loved ones in the one hand - and when you visit your home country occasionally, you long for your adopted country in the other hand. The Lyricist compares this painfull situation with the animal world (i.e. swallows and whales, crossing the endless sea to be united with their loved ones in a familiar, beloved environment - and the constant underlying fear that it might not happen), again and again, like the rolling waves of the sea, but the constant seperation and waiting (until then) might takes it toll in the long term. The restlessness never disappears, the heartache never ceased, the longing never eases.

Lyrics

until then

until the sun falls from the sky
and the moon drowns in the sea
when swallows migrate never more
and the salmon and the whales
return no more - no spawn no mate
until then shall harbour I those hours
at the lochs by cold grey castles
caress reflections - autumn drawing near -
cling to thoughts of thousand years
before these mem'ries fade in winter's fall
and I shall call across the sea
beyond the waves that roll ashore
as songs of sirens sound
in mist that swallows tears -
until then I will endure
this endless sea
© Christa F. de Vries
2015-12-16

(Words adjusted slightly to follow melody in final version)