Meaning of "The Ocean" by Against Me!

The lyrics of "The Ocean" by Against Me! are rich with imagery and evoke a strong sense of longing and yearning for a place of peace and contentment. The speaker starts by contemplating where they would want heaven to hide, and they choose the ocean as their ideal location. The ocean represents a vast and limitless expanse that can be seen as a metaphor for the infinite possibilities and beauty in life. By wishing for heaven to be in the ocean, the speaker is hoping for a sense of tranquility and connection to something greater.

The mention of the ocean being carried by currents to all continents' shores signifies the desire for their heaven to be accessible to everyone, reaching people from all walks of life. The fact that the ocean's depths are mentioned, where the sun's light has never shown, indicates a desire for something mysterious and unexplored, perhaps symbolizing the unknown and the potential for discovery.

The second part of the lyrics shifts focus to the speaker's identity and desires. They express a desire to have been born a woman, suggesting a longing for a different experience and perspective. This desire is further emphasized by the mention of their mother wanting to name them Laura and the aspiration to grow up strong and beautiful like her. This points to a longing for connection with their mother and a desire to emulate her qualities.

The speaker envisions a future with an honest man who would become their husband and the dream of building a home near the Gulf of Mexico. This portrays a longing for stability, love, and a sense of place. The hot summer days spent at the beach with their family symbolize a desire for joy, intimacy, and shared experiences.

Throughout the lyrics, there is a recurring theme of unspoken love and understanding. The speaker expresses a hope that their family would know they loved each other "without having to say it." This represents a desire for deep, intuitive connections and a wish for love and affection to be felt and understood without needing explicit words.

The lyrics conclude with the statement, "There is an ocean in my soul where the waters do not curve." This final line suggests that the speaker is longing for their inner world to be as vast and profound as the ocean, unbounded and unwavering.