“Song to the Siren” is a song written by Tim Buckley and Larry Beckett, first released by Buckley on his 1970 album Starsailor. It was also later released on Morning Glory: The Tim Buckley Anthology, the album featuring a performance of the song taken from the final episode of The Monkees.
Pat Boone was the first to release a recording of the song when it was featured on his 1969 album Departure, predating Buckley’s album. The song has become perhaps Buckley’s most famous due to a number of artists covering the song after his death in 1975, most notably This Mortal Coil in 1983.
Long afloat on shipless oceans
I did all my best to smile
’til your singing eyes and fingers
Drew me loving to your isle
And you sang:
“Sail to me
Sail to me
Let me enfold you
Here I am
Here I am
Waiting to hold you”
Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Were you hare when I was fox?
Now my foolish boat is leaning
Broken lovelorn on your rocks
For you sing:
“Touch me not
Touch me not
Come back tomorrow
O my heart
O my heart
Shies from the sorrow”
I am puzzled as the oyster
I am troubled as the tide:
Should I stand amid your breakers?
Should I lie with death, my bride?
Hear me sing:
“Swim to me
Swim to me
Let me enfold you
Here I am
Here I am
Waiting to hold you”
