Meaning of "Horizontal Departure" by Robert Plant

The lyrics of "Horizontal Departure" tell a story of a relationship that has soured, with one person feeling deceived and manipulated by the other. The narrator speaks of promises made by their partner, of never leaving and always being there, only to realize that these words were empty and insincere. The imagery of counting blessings turning into counting sheep signifies a loss of genuine affection and interest in the relationship. There is a sense of being used and deceived, with the realization that the partner is self-serving rather than committed. The reference to being the apple of the narrator's eye is juxtaposed with the reality of feeling betrayed and abandoned. The narrative takes a turn towards the end with a reflection on the relationship as a performance, where both parties were fooled for a long time. The decision to leave is presented as a necessity for the narrator's own well-being, signaling a final departure from the toxic relationship.