Meaning of "The Shores Of The Swilly" by Phil Coulter

The lyrics paint a nostalgic picture of carefree childhood days spent by the Swilly shore, with the passage of time bringing changes as the speaker grows up, has children of their own, and faces the tragic loss of a loved one. The repetition of the line "By the shores of the Swilly" serves as a constant reminder of the passage of time and the enduring connection to the place. The mention of the children playing and growing up symbolizes the cycle of life, while the tragic event of watching a loved one's body being raised from the tide represents loss and the pain of not understanding why such things happen. The theme of being put back together and flown again by a loved one reflects the idea of resilience, support, and love in the face of tragedy and hardship.