“Sail Home” by Old Sault – A Song Review

     If lyricists were divided (unfairly) into three categories, our categories would be labeled “Simple Rhymers,” “Picture Poets” and “Shadowy Thought Instigators.” The verses in most of the songs posted in Indie Obsessive are populated by lyricists fitting within the first category, so we certainly don’t intend any disrespect. 
     A good example of the second category is “Feather on the Clyde” by Passenger, in which he paints a poetic picture of Glasgow while using the analogy of a feather on the River Clyde to indicate the hopelessness of navigating a relationship. The analogy is clear, not shadowy.

     In the song “Sail Home,” Old Sault fits into the third category. The lyrics are included at the bottom of this post. They are shadowing – the shadows are often dark. And they invite different interpretations, even if the interpretations don’t precisely match the motivation of the lyricist. We won’t give our understanding, since it may vary significantly over the next week and vary again a week later. “Sail Home” reminds us of “Sprained Ankle” by Julien Baker, a song we play often and continue to evolve in our interpretation. In both songs, the guitar is uncomplicated, but effective in helping create the emotional atmosphere intended by the artist. And in both songs, the meanings of some verses are mercurial, so the lyrics are “thought instigating.”

     Old Sault is the performance name of singer/songwriter and guitarist Angie Farr. She is based in Gold Coast (Australia). The Bandcamp site for “Sail Home” states that the song was performed by Angie Farr and Winston Chariott, and was mixed and mastered by Govinda Doyle. 

     “Sail Home” by Old Sault

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oldsaultmusic

Lyrics of “Sail Home” by Old Sault

Small spark in my eyes light the water like a flume

Compass mind directing me to you

Big head, a lonely waterfall, the moon

And I’m coming back, I’m coming back for you

And so I know, the wind might blow

And knock over my only way back to the coast, and

Lifeless plastic boat

The tide is rising, my mind is slow

Sail home, sail home

Sail home, sail home

Little sound, I write you now

The lonely moon is staring down

With empty eyes, she makes me feel like I am dead

My mouth is dry, lungs are tired

I’m fading now

And upon this raft, I rest my worried head

And so I know the wind might blow

And knock over my only way back to the coast, and

Lifeless plastic boat

The tide is rising, my mind is slow

Sail home, sail home

Sail home, sail home

‘Cause it’s further than what’s in front of me

Eyes are painted red from salty glow

And frozen are my fingertips

Cold as if they’ve ever touched snow

Small spark in my eyes light the water like a flume

Compass mind directing me to you

And so I know the wind might blow

And knock over my only way back to the coast, and

Lifeless plastic boat

The tide is rising, my mind is slow

Sail home, sail home

Sail home, sail home