Drifters

Patrick Watson's song 'Drifters' poignantly captures the essence of drifting apart, both physically and emotionally. The lyrics convey a sense of gradual separation, as the repeated lines 'We are drifting away' and 'Farther every day' emphasize the increasing distance between two individuals. This drifting is not just a physical separation but also an emotional one, as indicated by the line 'Soon will have nothing to say.' The song reflects on the inevitability of growing apart, a theme that resonates deeply with listeners who have experienced the slow fading of a once-close relationship.

The metaphor of the sea is central to the song's imagery. Watson sings, 'I dipped my hands into the sea, I pulled the ocean over me,' suggesting a desire to immerse oneself in the vastness of the ocean, perhaps as a way to cope with the loss. The ocean, with its tides swallowing the shore, symbolizes the overwhelming nature of time and distance, making it impossible to find the other person anymore. This imagery evokes a sense of helplessness and inevitability, as the natural forces of the ocean mirror the unstoppable drift between the individuals.

Despite the melancholic tone, there is a glimmer of hope in the lines 'But I will remember, even if I am drifting far away.' This suggests that memories and the emotional connection remain, even as physical and emotional distances grow. The repetition of 'We are drifting away' at the end of the song reinforces the theme of separation, but the acknowledgment of remembrance adds a layer of bittersweet nostalgia. Patrick Watson's 'Drifters' is a beautifully crafted reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time, capturing the delicate balance between loss and memory.