Ode to a Sailor

Rachael Sage · Smashing the Serene [1998]

I've been sitting on the ground

Much to everyone's surprise

People say I'm getting dirty

But I would rather kiss the soil

Than be crippled by disguise

Better down to earth than pretty

In the ash I see passion

In the dust I see trust

I will turn this ship around

And if everything crashes

I will burn if I must

I will turn this ship around

I've been swimming in your sky

Waiting for the tide to turn

To something beautiful and true

And you've been swallowing my life

From a distance you have earned

Every right to know I feel you.

In the ash I see passion

In the dust I see trust

I will turn this ship around

Do you think I'm old fashioned

'Cause I miss you this much

I will turn this ship around

I've been buried in the sand

Waiting for the sun to beat

Down upon my back like lava

And I've been hoping for your hands

To caress my soul to sleep

Fill me up with your kabbalah

In the ash I see passion

In the dust I see trust

I will turn this ship around

And if everything crashes

I will burn if I must

I will turn this ship around

Ode to a Sailor

Rachael Sage's "Ode to a Sailor" stands as a defining track from her 1998 debut album, Smashing the Serene. Emerging during a period of significant artistic development, the song showcases Sage's early command of emotive songwriting and dynamic vocal delivery. As part of her initial discography, the recording reflects the indie and alternative influences that would later characterize her broader body of work. The track captures the atmospheric depth and lyrical intimacy found throughout the album, establishing a foundation for her subsequent releases. While Sage would later explore different sonic territories on later records, this early composition remains a testament to her ability to craft compelling narratives through music. It serves as an essential song point for listeners exploring her catalog from the late nineties.