Friday, March 13, 2009

Atlantic Blue

Once again, in lieu of events off Newfoundland, where all hope has essentially been given up for finding the missing 16 people, I'm not going to be blogging anything this evening. Regular blogging will resume tomorrow.

Instead, I'll put up the only version of Ron Hynes' "Atlantic Blue" that I can find. It's a bit rough, s it looks like it was recorded by a camera phone. But I think you can get the idea.



And here are the lyrics. I'm sure Hynes would prefer that it would only be a song for the Ocean Ranger, but given what happened on Thursday, the song is appropriate.

What colour is a heartache from a love lost at sea?
What kind of memory never fades but lingers to eternity?
How dark is the light of day the sleepless eyes of mine survey?
Is that you, Atlantic Blue? My heart is as cold as you.

How is one heart chosen to never lie at peace?
What kind of moment remains? Is there not one sweet release?
And who's the stranger at my door,
To haunt my dreams forever more?
Is that you, Atlantic Blue? My heart is as cold as you.

I lie awake in the morning, as the waves wash on the sand,
I hold my hurt at bay, I hold the lives of his children in my hands.

And who's plea will receive no answer?
Who's cry is lost upon the wind?
Who's the voice so familiar,
Whispers my name as the night comes in?
And who's wish never fails to find my broken heart on Valentine's?
Is that you Atlantic Blue? My heart is as cold,
My heart is as cold, my heart is as cold as you.

3 comments:

babe in boyland said...

this breaks my heart.

the only time I saw my father, a seasoned master mariner, cry was when i told him about the ocean ranger disaster.

i said "they're still looking, they think the liferafts may have people alive"

he said "m'chridhe, their troubles are over. they were over four minutes after they went into the atlantic."

then he put his head on his arms, on the table, and he cried.

that was before survival suits, but after he had had 3 ships sunk under him in WW2.

their troubles are over.

Anonymous said...

Atlantic Blue is a very appropriate song given the circumstances.

I am sure many loved ones are just devastated right now.

The lyrics of Misty Morning Albert Bridge by the Pogues seems somewhat appropriate especially in the second verse. I am sure many heartbroken families feel this way today:



I dreamt we were standing
By the banks of the Thames
Where the cold grey waters ripple
In the misty morning light
Held a match to your cigarette
Watched the smoke curl in the mist
Your eyes, blue as the ocean between us
Smiling at me


I awoke so cold and lonely
In a faraway place
The sun fell cold upon my face
The cracks in the ceiling spelt hell
Turned to the wall
Pulled the sheets around my head
Tried to sleep, and dream my way
Back to you again

Count the days
Slowly passing by
Step on a plane
And fly away
I'll see you then
As the dawnbirds sing
On a cold and misty morning
By the Albert Bridge

Here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TejJDFt6Tkk

Natasha said...

There's another version of Atlantic Blue on YouTube now. Much clearer. 31 years today. My dad assisted with the Coast Guard recovery efforts... 22 lifeless men brought home, 62 made one with the ocean. Beautiful tribute song by Ron Hynes. Rest in peace.