[Intro: distant bells, filtered surf, reversed vocal textures] [Verse 1: intimate female vocal, sparse guitar] The boats here carry different lights The bells ring out of time I stand where no one knows my face And watch the water rise Then underneath the harbor noise A tune I used to know I turn before I think to turn As if I could go home [Pre-Chorus: sub-bass enters, restrained tension] I know this isn't my old shore I know what I would find Still, I leave the window open When that tune comes through the tide [Chorus: half-time drums, wide pads, ghostly self-harmonies] The sea keeps my name Though the shore won't take me in It carries back a little song And I am there again The sea keeps my name Long after the bells are gone Let it sound like home tonight Let me leave the lantern on [Instrumental: distant chopped vocal echoes, fragile guitar motif] [Verse 2: close vocal, steady low pulse] I used to hear it through the doors Before the candles died I'd hum it softly to myself With all the court outside Now someone on a distant boat Is singing half the tune I hold my breath to hear the rest They stop a line too soon [Pre-Chorus: drums recede, voice exposed] I could finish every word I could sing it in my sleep But I let the silence linger With the part I get to keep [Chorus: layered whispers beneath clear lead] The sea keeps my name Though the shore won't take me in It carries back a little song And I am there again The sea keeps my name Long after the bells are gone Let it sound like home tonight Let me leave the lantern on [Bridge: drums drop out, voice and guitar only] I don't need to hear my title I don't need a place in line Just the way they used to call me When the evening meal was mine If it's only wind and water If there's no one calling through Let me answer for a moment Like I still belong there too [Final Chorus: returning bass, soft answering harmony, no big crescendo] The sea keeps my name Though the shore won't take me in I sing the missing line myself And hear it back again The sea keeps my name Long after the bells are gone Let it sound like home tonight Let me leave the lantern on [Outro: drums dissolve, unresolved guitar chord] I turn before I think to turn As if I could go home The sea keeps my name I leave the lantern on
