Song Meaning
The lyrics open on a familiar scene: a "wayward child" returns, a pattern of absence and reappearance. Yet, the sight of their "sweet face" immediately erases the speaker's "empty hours." It's a powerful, almost instantaneous emotional reset, suggesting a deep, complicated bond.
A central tension emerges from the speaker's weary acceptance of the other person's past actions. Lines like "Save your alibis" and "I don't care what you been doin'" reveal a history of potential missteps. The speaker dismisses the need for explanations, implying a relationship where words are "few and far between us," perhaps because the truth is already known or simply irrelevant to the enduring connection.
The enduring nature of this bond is powerfully conveyed through the central metaphor of the "tide" and "sea." The beloved's presence and absence are likened to natural, unstoppable forces, with the speaker declaring, "Love will always go / On and on into eternity." The subtle shift in the second chorus, "You're rise and fallin'," adds a layer of realism, acknowledging the inherent ups and downs within this powerful, almost fated connection.
These lyrics hit hard by juxtaposing a grounded, almost resigned acceptance of human imperfection with an expansive, unconditional love. The speaker's refusal to engage with "alibis" or "lying" suggests a profound understanding that transcends superficial grievances. It's a raw, honest portrayal of a love that persists through cycles of separation and return, finding its strength in an almost primal, unwavering attachment.