Dream to Live
Great Big Sea · Fortune's Favour [2008]
From the frozen coves of my island home
To the land of liberty
I have to leave my girl behind
Until I make my way
Oh Molly dear please wait for me
I'll come back for you some day
We landed hard in Boston
and I'd never seen the like
A small boat boy from around the bay
In this sea of shining lights
Two days in I got a job
Building towers of high steel
I had to learn, to not look down
And I quickly learned to kneel
All I need is one good nights sleep
In your loving arms, to mend
We sleep to dream
And we dream to live
Will I live to love you again
I saved every cent I could
But the months turned into years
Then a letter came from Molly
and confirmed my deepest fears
She would no longer wait for me,
she'd found a better man
I might have been in America,
but my heart was broken
In Newfoundland
My working days are over now
And my children have all grown
I did the best with what I had
But some days I feel alone
I often wonder where you are
Do you still know my name
Deep inside this old man's heart
There's a love that still remains
Dream to Live
Great Big Sea's 'Dream to Live' stands as a defining track from their 2008 album 'Fortune's Favour,' showcasing the band's signature blend of indie rock and Celtic influences. Released during a period where the group refined their sound following early experimental works, the song captures the raw energy and melodic sensibilities that have characterized their career since the mid-1990s. The recording features the band's characteristic interplay between driving rhythms and atmospheric textures, reflecting themes of resilience and hope often explored in their discography. As a staple of their live performances, the track exemplifies the Scottish band's ability to craft anthemic songs that resonate within the broader indie and folk-rock landscape.

