To France

Mike Oldfield's 'To France' is a song that weaves a tapestry of metaphor and historical allusion, set against a backdrop of a haunting melody. The lyrics tell the story of an elusive journey, one that seems to be as much about internal struggle as it is about a physical voyage. The repeated line 'Never going to get to France' suggests a goal that remains out of reach, a destination that is as much a state of mind as a place on a map. The reference to 'Mary, Queen of Chance' could be interpreted as an allusion to Mary, Queen of Scots, a historical figure whose life was marked by misfortune and unfulfilled potential.

The song's imagery of sailing on a restless sea and walking on foreign ground evokes feelings of uncertainty and the search for sanctuary. These themes resonate with the human experience of pursuing dreams and the sense of being adrift in the face of life's unpredictability. The lyrics also touch upon the ephemeral nature of dreams, as highlighted by the lines 'I see a picture by the lamp's flicker / Isn't it strange how / Dreams fade and shimmer?' This suggests a contemplation on the fleeting quality of aspirations and the way they can elude us, just as the goal of reaching France seems to elude the song's subject.

Mike Oldfield, known for his instrumental work and the hit 'Tubular Bells,' brings a distinctive sound to 'To France.' The song's ethereal quality and Oldfield's progressive rock influences create a soundscape that complements the lyrical themes of longing and the pursuit of the unattainable. The song invites listeners to reflect on their own quests and the dreams that drive them, even as they may slip through our fingers like water or fade like a flickering lamp.