Fisherman's Blues Lyrics
The WaterboysMusic Video
Fisherman's Blues
I wish I was a fisherman
Tumblin' on the seas
Far away from dry land
And it's bitter memories
Casting out my sweet line
With abandonment and love
No ceiling bearin' down on me
'Cept the starry sky above
With light in my head
You in my arms
Woo!
I wish I was the brakeman
On a hurtlin' fevered train
Crashing a-headlong into the heartland
Like a cannon in the rain
With the beating of the sleepers
And the burnin' of the coal
Counting the towns flashing by
In a night that's full of soul
With light in my head
You in my arms
Woo!
Well I know I will be loosened
From bonds that hold me fast
That the chains all hung around me
Will fall away at last
And on that fine and fateful day
I will take me in my hands
I will ride on the train
I will be the fisherman
With light in my head
You in my arms
Woo Hoo Hoo!
Woo Hoo!
Light in my head
You in my arms
Light in my head
Woo Hoo!
Light in my head
You in my arms
Light in my head
Woo Hoo...
Song Details
🎶 Songwriters: Mike Scott and Steve Wickham
📝 Song Brief:
This song expresses a deep desire to escape the pressures and disappointments of everyday life and start again somewhere freer and simpler. The images of working as a fisherman or a railway brakeman suggest a longing for honest, physical work and a life closer to nature. The sea and the speeding train symbolise movement, possibility, and freedom from the past.
At the heart of the song, however, is love. The repeated line about having “light in my head” and a loved one in the singer’s arms shows that true freedom would mean little without sharing it. The dream is not just to run away, but to build a new life together — leaving behind old hurts and finding happiness in simplicity, love, and companionship.
🎸 Genre: Folk rock
👥 Covers: Emilia Clarke, The Tumbling Paddies
🎤 Featured Artists: The Waterboys
💿 Album: Fisherman's Blues
Released: Oct 17, 1988
Country: GB
Format: CD
Label: Ensign
The Waterboys
The Waterboys are a British-Irish folk rock band formed in London in 1983 by Scottish musician and songwriter Mike Scott.
History and Sound:The band's sound, while rooted in folk music, has incorporated elements of rock, soul, gospel, and even classical music.
Throughout their career, they've gone through various lineup changes, with Mike Scott remaining the only constant member.
Some of their most well-known songs include "The Whole of the Moon," "Fisherman's Blues," and "Rag Doll."
Early Success and Evolution:Their debut album, "The Waterboys," released in 1983, achieved critical acclaim and established their unique sound.
Subsequent albums like "This Is The Waterboys" and "A Rock in the Weary Land" explored their Celtic folk roots more deeply.
In the late 80s and early 90s, they experimented with a more rock-oriented sound with albums like "Room To Roam" and "Fisherman's Blues," gaining widespread commercial success.
Breakup and Solo Career (1993-2003):In 1993, Mike Scott disbanded the band to pursue a solo career, releasing several successful albums.
He briefly reformed The Waterboys in 2001 for a tour and album "Universal Hall," but then returned to his solo work.
Reunion and Continued Activity (2005-Present):In 2005, Mike Scott once again assembled The Waterboys for a series of tours and recordings.
They've released several albums since then, including Book of Lightning and Good Luck, Seeker, showcasing their ever-evolving sound and love for live performance.
