Meaning of "Ships in the Night" by Mick Flannery

The lyrics of "Ships in the Night" delve into the universal theme of longing for love and connection, while also exploring the fear of missed opportunities and the uncertainty of finding the right person. The repetition of "The day hasn't come yet" emphasizes the narrator's current state of longing and anticipation. They compare themselves to a sailor on a quest for treasure, indicating that their search for love is akin to a journey or a pursuit of something valuable. This imagery suggests that finding the right person is a rare and precious discovery.

The line, "They say the way your life is made is only stars aligning" reflects the belief in fate or destiny when it comes to finding love. It implies that meeting the right person is beyond our control and dependent on cosmic forces. The mention of the rolling seas and lonely souls further emphasizes the isolated and uncertain nature of the search for love. It highlights the vulnerability and longing that many individuals experience when looking for a meaningful connection.

The lyrics also introduce the fear of missed opportunities and the transient nature of encounters. The repeated line, "Will we be those who meet and know a love on its sight, or two ships in the night?" encapsulates this sentiment. The phrase "two ships in the night" is a metaphor symbolizing two people who pass each other briefly without truly connecting. It conveys the fear of encountering someone who could have been a perfect match but, due to missed timing or circumstances, the opportunity for a meaningful connection is lost forever.

Overall, "Ships in the Night" lyrically captures the universal longing for love, the uncertainty of finding it, and the fear of missed opportunities. It paints a picture of the narrator's journey to find connection and emphasizes the preciousness of finding the right person amidst the vastness of the world.