I have long been meaning to post this clip by Mortal Coil. I heard it played several times while I was in Italy and it holds a lot of meaning for me.

This exquisite song was originally written and performed by Tim Buckley and there are many variations of it – each with their merit – but this is my favourite version, from 1983.

On the floating, shipless, oceans
I did all my best to smile
’til your singing eyes and fingers
drew me loving into your eyes.
And you sang, “Sail to me, sail to me,
Let me enfold you.”
Here I am, here I am,
waiting to hold you.”

Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Were you here when I was full sail?
Now my foolish boat is leaning,
broken lovelorn on your rocks.
For you sang “Touch me not, touch me not,
Come back tomorrow.”
Oh my heart, oh my heart shies from the sorrow.

I’m as puzzled as a newborn child.
I’m as riddled as the tide.
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Or shall I lie with death my bride?
Hear me sing: “Swim to me, swim to me,
Let me enfold you.
Here I am, Here I am, waiting to hold you.”