Song to the Siren

• By: This Mortal Coil
• Album: It'll End In Tears

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
afloat /əˈfloʊt/ B2	adjective - floating on water; not sinking
oceans /ˈoʊʃənz/ A2	noun - the vast body of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface
singing /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/ A2	noun - the act of making musical sounds with the voice verb - to produce musical sounds with the voice
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs used for seeing
fingers /ˈfɪŋɡərz/ A1	noun - one of the five digits of the hand
isle /aɪl/ B2	noun - an island, especially a small one
sail /seɪl/ A2	verb - to travel on water in a ship or boat noun - a piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep verb - to experience dreams during sleep
foolish /ˈfuːlɪʃ/ B1	adjective - lacking good sense or judgment; unwise
boat /boʊt/ A1	noun - a small vessel for traveling on water
leaning /ˈliːnɪŋ/ B1	verb - to be in or move to a sloping position
broken /ˈbroʊkən/ A2	adjective - having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order
rocks /rɒks/ A1	noun - the solid mineral material forming part of the surface of the earth and other similar planets, exposed on the surface or underlying the soil
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation
sorrow /ˈsɒroʊ/ B2	noun - a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered or encountered by oneself or others.
child /tʃaɪld/ A1	noun - a young human being below the age of puberty or full physical development
tide /taɪd/ B1	noun - the alternate rising and falling of the sea, usually twice in each lunar day at a particular place, due to the attraction of the moon and sun.
death /dɛθ/ A2	noun - the end of the life of a person or organism

Grammar:

• Long afloat on shipless oceans

  ➔ Adjective placement before noun (poetic license). Normally, "afloat on shipless oceans for a long time".

  ➔ The sentence uses a more poetic and evocative word order, placing "Long" at the beginning for emphasis. This deviates from standard sentence structure, making it sound more lyrical.

• I did all my best to smile

  ➔ Past simple tense + infinitive of purpose. "Did my best *to* smile" indicates the intention or purpose of the action.

  ➔ "To smile" functions as an infinitive of purpose, explaining why the subject "did all my best".

• Drew me loving to your isle

  ➔ Causative verb "Drew" + Object + Participle. "Drew me loving" implies a powerful attraction. "loving" here functions almost like an adjective describing the *manner* of the drawing.

  ➔ The phrase "drew me loving" is not standard English and a poetic construction. It is more common to say "drew me with love" or "drew me in a loving way". The original phrasing adds to the song's ethereal and slightly unsettling tone.

• Did I dream, you dreamed about me?

  ➔ Past simple interrogative (twice) with embedded prepositional phrase. Questioning the reciprocity of a dream.

  ➔ The line questions whether the speaker dreamed *about* the other person, and if the other person dreamed *about* the speaker, suggesting a deep, perhaps subconscious connection.

• Now my foolish boat is leaning

  ➔ Present continuous tense (is leaning) describes an action happening now. "Foolish boat" is metaphor for the self.

  ➔ The present continuous emphasizes the current state of vulnerability. The "foolish boat" represents the speaker's vulnerable self, metaphorically tilting or on the verge of capsizing.

• Broken lovelorn on your rocks

  ➔ Compound adjective (broken lovelorn). "on your rocks" is a prepositional phrase.

  ➔ "Broken lovelorn" describes the state of being both emotionally shattered and lovesick. "On your rocks" implies destruction or ruin caused by the object of affection.

• Should I stand amid the breakers?

  ➔ Modal verb "Should" expresses suggestion or uncertainty in a question. "Amid" means 'in the middle of'.

  ➔ The question conveys the speaker's indecision whether to confront the turbulent situation or give up. "The breakers" symbolize the tumultuous emotions or obstacles.

• Or should I lie with death my bride?

  ➔ Modal verb "should" expressing uncertainty, an alternative is offered. "Death my bride" is an example of hypallage (transferred epithet) and a metaphor.

  ➔ "Death my bride" is a metaphorical personification of death as a desirable partner, offering an escape from emotional pain. Hypallage is used, as death itself isn't a bride, but rather the concept of being with death is presented in this way.