Meaning of "On The High Seas" by Gordon Lightfoot

"On The High Seas" by Gordon Lightfoot explores themes of uncertainty, loss, and the fear of being abandoned. The narrator is haunted by memories of a lost love, wondering where their partner has gone and where they will eventually end up. The repetition of not remembering where she said she would be highlights the disconnection and lack of control the narrator feels in their relationship. The references to different places like Michigan, Montreal, and Rome serve as symbols of the vast unknown and the endless possibilities of where their partner could be. The mention of Hornpayne where the trains run on time and South Bend where she might have been drinking champagne add a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The imagery of a ghostly mansion and a highway vs. low road represent the uncertainty of the future and the fear of being left behind. Ultimately, the song captures the emotional turmoil of heartbreak and the difficulty of letting go.