I searched for a song for tonight that felt right.  A Buffett song that would fit the mood.  There were a few candidates, but this one finally won out.

OK, maybe it doesn’t quite “fit the mood” but it’s what’s getting me through until better days

Some out there are no doubt wondering how this qualifies as a Buffett song and I can’t blame ‘em.  The semi true story is that I first heard this song while working at Captain’s Cove.  We always had Buffett or local Parrothead type bands on the stereo in there and one of the CDs in the rotation was Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  Southern Cross has become a regular song in the setlist at Jimmy’s overgrown parties some call concerts and it’s on that CD – track two to be precise.

It was only much later that I found out that it wasn’t originally a Buffett song, but I still prefer Jimmy’s version Somehow, I figure Glenn probably already knows this song

Back in my (even more than now) cash strapped days, this song was frequently featured in the set list known as the Soundtrack of Life as Adrienne and I barnstormed around San Diego County in whatever vehicle was handy at the time with her sailboat as our home base at the Coronado Cays Yacht Club.  Those were some very good times that I will always treasure and that’s the truth

For those of you who don’t know how this song goes just yet, here’s the lyrics

From Buffettworld.com:

Southern Cross

by Richard Curtis, Michael Curtis, and Stephen Stills

Got out of town on a boat to the southern islands
On a reach before a followin’ sea
We were makin’ for the trades on the outside
On the downwind run to Papeete
Off the wind on this heading by the Marquesas
We got eighty feet of waterline
Nicely making way
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away

Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin’
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

I have been around the world
Lookin’ for that woman, girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will (and you know it will)

When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You understand just why you came this way
‘Cause the truth you’ve been runnin’ from is so small
But it’s as big as the promise, the promise of a coming day

And I’m headed all the way, my tears are a-dyin’
And my love is an anchor tied to you, tied with a silver chain
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin’
She is all that I have left and music is her name

Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin’
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

I have been around the world
Lookin’ for that woman, girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will (and you know it will)

So we cheated and we lied and we tested
And we never failed to fail, it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody strong comes along make’s me forget about loving you
And the Southern Cross, WOOOOO!

I even found a video of Jimmy performing this song live

Some songs seem to mark a period in time, but this one’s a bit different than that.  There’s a few lyrics in there that I can sure relate to.  Like some other Buffett songs, this one’s got a bit of a personal side for me with the relationship aspects.  I may not have been on the midnight watch, but I’ve had similar revelations.  Then there’s that part about lookin’ for that special someone…

Southern Cross not only reminds me of good times, it also serves as inspiration on days when I need some sort of dream to hold onto.  I’ve never seen the Southern Cross or any of the other constellations in the southern hemisphere for that matter, but I sure want to someday.  I also still happen to harbor the dream of traveling on a sailing ship beyond the sight of land and hopefully crossing the equator in the not too distant future.  To quote Jimmy, I don’t have a plan, it’s not that kind of thing.  Someday I will…

So it’s getting late and I think it’s time for me to go and dream pleasant dreams of crossing the Pacific near Papeete on a sailing ship of some sort while I gaze upon new constellations for the first time

Fair winds and following seas, friends