Comments: 91

• Mike from Canada....... We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way
  ....... In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
  Stephen Stills has his own southern cross giving wrong direction from “the waterline nicely making way” to “a noisy bar in Avalon”.
  ....... Think about how many times I have fallen
  Author Cherie Carter-Scott wrote it best in her book “If Life is a Game, These are the Rules”: A lesson is repeated until learned.
  ....... Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
  For the religious, spirit or larger voice is God who gives right direction.
  ....... What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
  You cannot forget or ignore God’s right direction.
  ....... When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
  ....... You understand now why you came this way
  The “why” is to get the right direction, to get it right.
  ....... 'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
  ....... But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day
  Wrong direction is insignificant when compared to a future with right direction.
  ....... So we cheated and we lied and we tested
  ....... And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do
  Wrong things easily happen with wrong direction.
  ....... You will survive being bested
  Wronged people survive. With God’s right direction, they can thrive.
  ....... Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you
  ....... And the southern cross
  Stephen Stills will be rewarded and forget his southern cross with wrong direction.
  SUMMARY: This song is a church sermon put to music. The church sermon is about doing what’s right. Jesus went to his cross for doing what’s right. “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
  (Note to the Comments Editor: Please delete my previous comments. I apologize for not getting it right.)
• Mike from Canada*** Revised ***
  +++ But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away
  Stephen Stills is carrying his own Southern Cross. It’s the girl in the song.
  +++ Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
  For the religious, spirit or larger voice is God.
  +++ 'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
  +++ But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day
  You can’t hide the truth, even if it’s small. The Bible says, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40)
• Mike from Canada'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
  But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day
  >>> You can’t hide the truth, even if it’s small. The Bible says, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40)
• Gea Van Wijk from The NetherlandsI think Crosby sings "Why Christ she ran away" in stead of "Why twice she ran away". I think I hear clearly the "t" in "Christ".
• Seventh Mist from 7th HeavenThat cover art was also marketed as a very popular poster with the caption “Celestial Visitation.”
• Kyfsmith from Independence, KyNot sure about any other version, but on the "Daylight Again" version of Southern Cross, a woman definitely sings the high harmony. Has Stephen Stills or anyone else (recording Engineer, mixer, etc.) ever disclosed the woman's identity? It's definitely NOT Graham Nash. Nash has a beautiful high harmony voice, but there is an edge, a characteristic to that harmony that is clearly a woman's voice. I've always admired that vocal, along with the others too.
• Jay from MissouriThanks Will from Michigan for some answers that I had been pondering about this song. I just saw Crux in the southern sky from Costa Rica.
• Da Troof from 49417@Catsaregods: That sure looks like David Crosby singing @1:00-1:40 & 2:35-3:39. Note his big bushy mustache in profile.
• Catsaregods from Northern CaliforniaTo: Willie from Scottsdale. David Crosby is not even on this song at all, and he's dead now, so you can calm down.
• Will from MichiganThe phrase downhill run refers to sailing in the same direction as the wind. When you sail perpendicular to the wind it's called a reach, and when you're sailing into the wind it's called a beat. You can't sail directly into the wind or your sails will luff. The best you can do is sail at a 45 degree angle into the wind.
• Will from MichiganYou can see the southern cross as far north as Hawaii on the southern horizon for six months. Papeete Bay and the Marquesas are locations in French Polynesia in the southern Pacific. Avalon is a city on Santa Catalina Island in California
• Mike from New YorkI disagree with lyrics written on the last stanza…listen carefully…
  I think they sing…So we WERE cheated and we lied and we tested…
  I know it an extra word and doesn’t follow the rule of we lied and we tested, but I still think I’m correct.
• Mister_mojo_risin from Atlanta UsaSo many interpretations of this song. This one has memories for me, because I introduced my now wife to the CSN sound with this song on vacation in Hawaii.
  
  Not quite the Southern Cross, but immaculate star imagery.
  
  This song will always hold a place in my heart. Love the simplicity of the chord changes in this song too. Beautiful.
• Lisa Farrington from 92211Most romantic tune of the decade!
• Hopper from N AmericaThanks Ken from Sacramento for your comments, which helped me and others I'm sure, to imagine the route SS described. ... lost me for a moment when you mentioned the "westerly trade winds". The trades are easterly winds (never mind the semantics, we figured it out). Interesting that this musical poetry masterpiece about love, life and relationships, stirred so many of us to a forensic exam of the route.
• Csn Fan from MontereyThe origins of the song Southern Cross by Steven Stills, Rick and Michael Curtis as told by Michael Curtis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeWwDJrPXKg
• Bob Arthur from Columbus, OhioBeing a Navy veteran, sea-related music lights me up!!
• George Eshkol Ann from Vancouver, CanadaThere are 7 lines which are amazing:
  My love is an anchor tied to YOU
  Think about how many times, I have fallen
  The truth you might be runnin' from, is so small…
  But it's AS BIG AS THE PROMISE,
  The promise of a comin' day…
  You will survive being bested,
  SOMEBODY FINE WILL COME ALONG …
  I met Stephen Stills in El Salvador, and I asked him about my hunch about the mentioned lines, that reminded me of Jesus Christ. He had a smile and said: A cross
  Is a big thing to carry, and we fall, but there is always a promise of a coming day.
  This song brings peace…You will survive being bested, Somebody Fine will come along make me forget about loving you. This song brings peace. Strange…
  
• Ian from Northern OntarioStar formations such as the Southern Cross are a beautiful reminder that we are not alone. A few years back I portaged into a remote location in Northern Ontario and in the middle of the night decided to take a walk; the sky was alive! Get away from the city and go where the air is clean.
• Damted from North America When I saw the Southern Cross for the first time I was on assignment in the Bio Bio region of Southern Chile on a clear night listening to this song when a colleague from Australia stopped by my place and asked if I knew what the song was about. I said it was about sailing. while we were outside of my house he said "look up there mate" and there it was. Amazing experience. He mentioned that it was about sailing around Australia... I pondered that for many years. From the lyrics one can easily connect the dots and it becomes quite clear that it is about a voyage from Catalina Ca to French Polynesia. it's true meaning and the route he actually took can only be revealed by Steven Stills and the others involved in the origin of it's composure. Seems it is about a love, a broken heart, letting go, and finding yourself through the power of the Universe. Not sure why there is a difference of opinions about where the trip took place. Great song writers generally don't reveal the true meaning of the songs they write until after many years. Great comments. When I first heard the song I had never traveled beyond the limits of North America. Now I have been around the world many times and hit every continent except Antarctica and still going. The song always gives me a spiritual awakening and a conscious contact with God and the universe while in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Mo'0 from Nyc@Grinch - YOU need to take a look at a globe. Sailing from Catalina Island to the Marquesas and other destinations in Polynesia is common - there are dozens of small sailing vessels on that route at any given time. That and the fact that CSN are from S. California makes it even more plausible. When you "see the southern cross for the first time... you understand why you came THAT WAY" On a SSW tack from Hawaii to Polynesia that's exactly what happens - you reach a point where suddenly the S. Cross rises from the Horizon and is right in front of you.
• Mo'0 from Nyc@Ken after much back and forth I think you are absolutely correct. Sailing from Catalina (Avalon) to "The Southern Islands", and all the other spots in Polynesia mentioned in the song is a fairly common route. I think the "noisy bar in Avalon" could potentially be one of the other Avalons - but CSN are after all from S. California and Catalina Island is a typical launch point for that kind of trip. Also seeing the Southern Cross "for the first time" ... that's exactly what happens when you head southwest, crossing the equator below Hawaii - it's mind-blowing. If the song originated in Oceania the S. Cross would always be visible and you would not have been seeing it "for the first time".
• Ken from EarthMy dream is to visit all of the places mentioned in this song.
• Mac Mcintosh from United Kingdom I was just watching a documentary on the BBC iplayer about the Space shuttles. And apparently this song was a favourite of one of the Astronauts, and He liked to play in while in space. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0109cc7/the-horizon-guide-to-space-shuttles
• Ryan from S. Lake TahoeHolly in Sacramento: I am..... And Southern Cross makes me feel the same way...
• Roy from CaliforniaMeantime, a 1980 recording with the California Blues Band explains why Stills rhymed "a followin' sea" with "to Papeete"—he'd originally pronounced it "puh-EP-uh-tee" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDoZ3z0ET6Y
• Roy from CaliforniaThe final line definitely is "In the Southern Cross". In the live version posted to YouTube as video iuLBhxZUkmU they repeat the final line with emphasis on "iiiiin". Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuLBhxZUkmU&t=4m17s final line repeat at 4:23
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 12th 1982, "Southern Cross" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #69; and on November 14h, 1982 it peaked at #18 {for 3 weeks} and spent 17 weeks on the Top 100...
  It reached #6 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
  Between 1969 and 1989 the trio/quartet had thirteen Top 100 records; with two making the Top 10, "Just a Song Before I Go" peaked at #7 for 2 weeks on August 21st, 1977 and "Wasted on the Way" reached #9 for 4 weeks on August 15th, 1982...
  They just missed having a third Top 10 record when "Woodstock" peaked at #11 {for 2 weeks} on May 3rd, 1970.
• Ken from Sacramento, CaOh, come on folks. He's not sailing from Australia, or Panama, he's sailing from the U.S west coast - from L.A., where he and his girlfriend Judy Collins - who the song is about - lived. Avalon is the Avalon in the Channel Islands of California - where he undoubtedly tried to call her before launching himself off into the Pacific. Sailing on the outside is sailing on the leading edge of the wind - in this case, catching the easterlies as they bend toward the south, due to the Coriolis effect, off the N. America Pacific Coast. Sailing a reach is sailing to the south south-west, across these mostly easterly winds, to catch the trades, from where they will sail "downhill" - downwind, in other words - on the westerly trade winds into the Marquesses. And the Marquesses, of course, are "off the wind", meaning the easterly winds they're in now - still off the S. California Coast - wouldn't carry them towards the Marquesses - which are "off the wind" to the southwest.
  
  It's Occam's Razor folks - the simplest explanation is usually correct. Don't make it harder than it needs to be.
  
  Oh, and Willie in Scottsdale - "80 feet of Waterline" does not mean a 40' boat. It means as the boat heels over and the leeward side sinks into the water, the waterline lengthens to 80 feet - and the longer the waterline is in relation to the beam, the faster the speed. Thus "nicely making way." And since a boat's length is longer at the deck than at the waterline, he's sailing a very nice boat, indeed.
• John from Ky, KyI heard this song on and off for many years. I actually had no clue who the band was. Just that this song was so moving. I thought it was a Christian song because of the words "Southern Cross" and heaven. It's certainly a heavenly song.
• Patti from Gonzales, LaOctober 31,1982 at a Halloween Party just outside of Chicago I met Michael and it was love at first site. The first time he kissed me that night was to Southern Cross and from that moment on it has been our song. It has been 29 years since then and even though miles and long distance separate us now we still keep in touch by phone everyday. He lives in Wisconsin and I live in Louisiana. We are still each others best friend and Southern Cross brings back wonderful memories we made. Its a beautiful song with true meaning and will always be our song. Its hard being apart and so far away and when I hear this song it makes me feel 16 and in love with him all over again. We never fell out of love with each other. and he is still my soul-mate as I am his. This is one song that will never get old nor will I tire of hearing it over and over again in my car.
• Dalan from Notacityyet, Mt"Bested" as I always understood, is "one up on you".
  
  I, imho, understand this song to represent a love without the true meaning of a couples love they share. Perhaps a love or bonding they would like to share but neither are commited to.
  
  In the song he admits his love for her "is tied with a silver chain", proclaiming his feeling.
  
  As far as the "women/girl" mention ... try singing it without using the word "girl". I think he is asking for the girl to be more mature and ask her to be so. Endure has a closer rhyme to girl, imho.
• Willie from Scottsdale, AzA few nautical reminders here: 1. If you left NSW or anywhere in Australia, the Southern Cross would always be visible. You wouldn't first come upon it after a few weeks of sailing. 2. To be on a beam reach at the start, you have to be sailing through the northerlies. The southerlies flow in the opposite direction. 3. A "following sea" would indicate the vessel is on a quarter reach, meaning that the vessel would have to be sailing southwest through the westbound trade winds. 4. A Boat drawing 80 feet of waterline is only 40 feet long. Not the most seaworthy vessel I'd want to navigate the open Pacific, and I've done it. Nice song, even though David Crosby still turns my stomach.
• Nathan from Kansas City, MoMy vote for a "noisy bar in Avalon" is Luau Larry's in Avalon CA, as some have mentioned. Check out Frommers for reference. I believe the downhill run was from Long Beach or Southern CA on the Tahiti Run.
• Cid from Argyle, NyGrinch, Ann Arbor, MI, take your own advice and look up "coconut milk run"
  
  I always thought it was Papeete Bay. but it isn't. Papeete is pronounced as 4 sylables, Pa-pa-AY-tay. You can check it out on Dictionary.com.
• Smoothie from Chicago, IlThe line "You will survive being bested" .. is the author's inner voice telling him he's going to be OK after being bested (or dumped) by his chick. Which goes together with the next line "someone fine will come along and make me forget about loving you"
• Laura from Sacramento, CaThis song makes me feel profound emotions.
• Renewed from Northeast, NjI believe this song represents his love for the 'goddess' (woman/child, "and music is her name" = the planet venus: a feminine planet ruling love and beauty and harmony (music). Isis is stationed as the protector of the South over the sons of Horus (horoscope), and the idea is that the love of the goddess is forever, she will surely pass the test and he shall be reunited with her eventually, more than likely when the "cross", N/S/E/W moves to a new position (precession of the equinoxes). This is a beautiful song and an enduring message.
• Grinch from Ann Arbor, MiI certainly don't agree with some of the "interpretations" in the comments, but to each his own...except for you boneheads from that think the song has ANYTHING to do with LA. Jeez, that is some first class weed you've got!!! Avalon DOES NOT refer to Catalina Island, anymore than it does the legendary city in England!!! The song is about a boat trip in Oceana, and so it is either Avalon, Victoria, or Avalon, NSW, both in Australia. Given the geography of Tahiti (Papeete) and the Marquesas I would opt for that in NSW, but perhaps somebody from Oz can provide some input on that. Some of you folks seriously need to use your brain before your post...IMHO.
• Ian from Liverpool, United Kingdomthis is one of those tracks that you either get or dont, you interpret it in your own mind, to me it seems like Judy Collins said nay too many times he gave up and sailed off to get over it,discovered himself and got perspective, it happens, I know, and the southern cross? Magnificent on an autumn night in New Zealand or Gold Coast summer nights in Brisbane Australia, I know I lived them and this is one of the 100 I have to listen to before you die. only 99 to go...
• Deb from Las Vegas, NvAll the different interpretations are valid. That's what makes it a work of art.
• Nathan Curtis from Santa Paula, CaThis is one of my favorite songs to hear come alive in the mall loudspeakers. It brings on memories of my childhood listening to my family "the Curtis Brothers" perform it in my living room. The virgin form may be available someday. We are striving to collect and protect Rick and Mike's music. Many stories have yet to be told, But its very refreshing to see that my family hasn't been forgotten. on "you Tube" you can see this song performed live to a huge packed stadium and they give the Curtis Brothers a shout out. Please go to www.jennifercurtis.net and support Ricks daughter. also www.myspace.com/savetheship and check out his youngest daughters musical efforts. God bless.
• Niles from Belpre, Ohexcellent vocals,
• Butch from C.b., OrIam new to this fact site, so many options, wow,I was there really there the first time anyone heard 7 league boots, Rick down on one knee w/ guitar 10am , Mike not up! I just wrote this and want to know what you think? He often made me the lucky listener for new things, He had faith in me as a song writer so I am indebted to him a great deal. Rick just kept writing and was ever so humble about his abilities, almost 50 years have gone by since we met, and alls I can say is there is more of his music out there!!! The original lyrics manifest the vision, Steve took this beautiful vision and gave it to the universe,thanks to Steve and his acknowledgment of Ricks work. Rick Curtis has written some really beautiful songs please listen!! "As I walk down the rippling road , made by the wind thru the fences" Butch,C.B. Or.
• Elisa from Ojo Caliente, NmLogan, I believe the Port of Avalon is located on the Catalina, California, Channel Islands. Not Panama.
• Jim from Pleasant Hill, CaRE: "There is a vocal mistake in the line "But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a coming day." One of the vocalists says "coming" on the first "promise." (thanks, Dave - Leesburg, VA)"
  
  I'm straining to hear that error (at ~2:11 in my version of the track). It sort of sounds like Stills pronouncing "prOmise" like "prUmise." Did CS&N themselves mention it as a gaffe? It's subtle enough that they must have left it in, figuring few would notice.
• Jayro from Sao Paulo, BrazilHello from the third world...
  It seems that the "boat" is Music itself, in which someone sails the seas of life. Holly and Joe got the spirit... that's what music is for. :)
  By the way, the Crux also figures in Brazil's flag.
  All the best...
• Jon from Morris, NyStills recorded this song for a solo album in 1979. His label at the time (Columbia) didn't release the album. It was rerecorded for Daylight Again. The 1979 solo version of Southern Cross is included on the album "Songs of Stephen Stills". It sounds more alot like Manassas.
  
• Joe from Sarasota, FlThis song gives me, Joe Bratcher, the hunger. The void in me spreads out and the salty spray gushes in and makes me a sailing singularity, eager for kinship on the quantum level, i.e. with Holly who is but thoroughly impressed with my expert interpretation of this song, which everyone should read. Do not delete me again moderator. This comment is germaine and deserves to stay. :)
• Holly from Sacramento, CaJoe in Sarasota...are you single...and straight? my heart absolutely aches when I hear this song and you just, so elequently, expressed why. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
• Dave from Manassas, VaI love the comments, esp Heather's in LA. I always sing that part too. I dont think there's any hidden meanings. Like Steven Stills said, he's singing about the sailing trip he took to get over his divorce. There's some sadness and regret behind his lyrics, but, ultimately, CSN's great singing and Stills' lyrics turn it into a song of hope. I love it.
• Michael from Pittsburgh, PaDavid Crosby did not write this song. I don't know about the Curtis references here but Stephen Stills is responsible for the CSN song.
  
  Also, none of them own a boat called Southern Cross. David Crosby did have a large sailboat named Mayan. In fact, it is currently for sale (July 2009) for $1M.
• Wile from Jacksonville, Flok, It's about a boat trip Stills took once..no hidden meanings..he plugged in some lyrics that fit the rhythm, rhyme and harmony he and the Curtis brothers were looking for. Nothing more than a fabric of some reality and some likely drug induced thoughts to sell a song..nothing more.
  Although it does stir some emotion about sailling the South Pacific, and it also has a few references to to actual places and names, remember,..."it's just some words to a f--king song"..to quote Stills own words to some guy in a bar who posted this account on another forum. AS a song writer myself and intrumentalist , I see hyper-analyzation of song meanings all the time.
  It's a sad commentary on todays music, but many songs are written with lyrics that are important more because they ryhme, and less beacause they fit the meaning of what a writer/singer would try to pass on to listeners. Take for instance, when I was a young man we spent hours sitting around, drinking ans smoking..try to figure out the meaning of Procul Harem's "Whiter Shade of Pale".
  Still havent got the answer to that one because there is no meaning. A bunch of guys sat around drinking and smoking and whatever, and came up with some words that ryhmed to a melody that was sing-able. Nothing more...MMMMMMM?...and the ceiling flew away.....go figure!
• Robert from Sacramento, CaI really don't think the song is about the stars. It really sounds to me more like its about the ships "The Southern Cross". At the time the song was written "The Southern Cross" was racing for the Americas cup based in Los Angeles where the song was written (and likely popular in the local papers and media at the time).
• Angelle from Mentor, OhTo Robert in Chicago and Meg in Virginia: Please ge in touch with us! I am Jennifer Curtis' foster sister (Rick's daughter, Mike's neice) and we'd love to hear from you.
  Please email us at goddessdirect@roadrunner.com and visit www.JenniferCurtis.net
• Meg from Roanoke , VaI wish I knew Robert in Chicago. I once had a tape with 7 League Boots on it and I think it got stolen. I knew the Curtis family a LONG time ago. Richard died about ten years ago. You know they wrote Blue Letter that Fleetwood Mac recorded? And sister Patty Schauer wrote Don't Mess With a Woman that Helen Reddy recorded? Ah, the good old days...
• Deanne from Harrisonburg, VaI always looked at it this way: the singer has had two great and equal loves in his life, the woman and the sea. He ultimately had to choose between them, and his choice was to sail on. Though the sea is a beautiful, captivating mistress it can never truly return the love to him like that woman/girl did. Wonderful song, fantastic group, and thank you all for pondering and loving it as much as this mountain gal always has.
• Alan from City, MiOk, this is totally different than what everybody's written about this song, but I believe it was inspired by David Crosby's life. First off, it came out not too long after his autobiography detailing his struggles with crack cocaine. He had a boat named Music, which is the only thing he never sold for crack. He mentions in the book that it helped keep him together to dream of getting straight someday and be able to sail far enough to see the Southern Cross one more time. He had a girlfriend that stuck with him during the dark years and it sounds like he is singing to her. There are many other parts of the song that seem to match Crosby's life. I know Crosby didn't write the song, but his story was well-known by the time this song came out. Crosby's book was titled Long Time Gone. (I am still amazed that Crosby is still alive after reading this book.)
• AnonymousAwesome song! Makes me want to take up sailing. Great insight Logan, gives the song so much more meaning.
• Joe from Sarasota, Fl"I've been searching for that woman, girl, who knows love can endure" He is not searching for a woman and a girl. He simply addresses the woman as girl, like "hey, girl". He has been vainly searching for someone like her who also believes in a lasting love, which obviously she doesn't because she ran away from him and his lifestyle. Detailed sailing terminology is used to establish his experience and credibility of being out on the water a lot, alluding to his solo wanderlust, of course incompatible with a stable relationship. He is older now and the dream of having her or finding someone like her is dying. The love they shared is the pinnacle for him. Regarding "I have my ship and all her flags are a flyin'. She is all that I have left and music is her name ..." There is no boat named music. This very song is now the ship carrying on his love for her. It's all he has left. "You will survive being bested" means he is claiming the majority of the responsibility for their demise. He was best at causing the problems, though she is not without fault. Finding someone who will make him forget about loving her "IN the southern cross" is impossible and he knows it. It is a lonely statement that her love has guided him (like the southern cross) but that love itself is unreachable. Its purpose is to teach. The song consistently conveys a tone that he does accept his condition, that is without her love, but only because their relationship and its troubles have taught him dire yet essentially spiritual things about himself. Ultimately, the song uses its considerable power and weight to remind those in love to nurture it because once it is lost or damaged beyond repair, there may be grave and permanent heartache. Bon voyage, lonely vagabonds.
• Dave from Leesburg, VaIn response to Paul's comment. I was under the impression that the last verse was cynical. "We cheated, and we lied, and we tested, and we never failed to fail..." etc. I always thought that he meant that he bested her at being a bad person, and that she would survive that. Also that when he says "somebody fine will come along..." etc. that he was openly lying to himself, knowing it wouldn't happen, but saying it anyway, because he knows he screwed up. Either way--it's a powerful song for the fact that either of us could be right! Thanks for the comments. They made me ponder it again!
• Joe from Gallipolis, Ohcrosby stills and nash were actually all atheist
• Hank from Austin, TxTo Robert from Chicago:
  
  Please steer me to Michael and the "virgin idea".
  I want to hear & "7 League Boots".
• Dave from Houston, TxThe first verse is:
  
  Got out of town on a boat goin' to Southern Islands
  Sailing a reach before a followin' sea
  She was makin' for the trades on the outside
  And the downhill run to Papeete Bay
  
  Their destination is Fiji (the Southern Islands; they will first make landfall in Tahiti at Papeete. Sailing on a reach means the wind is coming from abeam, straight from the side, the best point of sail. Before a following sea is just what it sounds like.
  Also, Still apparently never owned a boat names Music or Southern Cross or anything else. Crosby had one named Mayan.
• Paul from Levy, ArIn response to Garth's comment: Saying "and the Southern Cross" would indeed create the meaning you suggest, but that is exactly the OPPOSITE of what the song clearly says. "You will survive being bested/Somebody fine will come long, make me forget about loving you..." It isn't saying that it's unlikely, it's saying it WILL happen: "hey, babe, someday someone will make me forget you." Thus, the "you will survive being bested" line.
• David from Deerfield Beach, FlPosted 2/11/2008. "Southern Cross" was one of my favorite songs back in 1982. Living in Florida my Dad got me & my brother scuba diving lessons during the summer of 1982. Aside from just being a good song I remember this song would evoke memories of my times out on the ocean that summer going out on boat trips for various dives near the Keys, etc. This song fit just right for that imagery. I got the album "Daylight Again" back then and I must say that I thought that this was a pretty decent album. C, S & N (& Y) were really big when they first started out back around 1969-1970, but aside from their 1977 hit "Just A Song Before I Go", I hadn't heard much from them until this 1982 comeback album of sorts. They've always been a classic with their beautiful harmonies & late 1960's counter-culture vibe, so it was nice to see them come back with this refreshingly good album. "Southern Cross" was my favorite off of it, and also featured the hit "Wasted On The Way", and there's this incredibly beautiful mellow David Crosby song on there called "Delta". Love that one. Aside from being a good LP though it didn't hurt that "Daylight Again" had this really great album cover! It's a painting by Gilbert Williams called "Celestial Visitation" of these 3 blue-glowing U.F.O.s in the mountains. Really cool-looking! One of my all-time favorite album covers for sure. So between the music & the cover art "Daylight Again" was a pretty good all-around package in my opinion. Way to go, guys. Thanks for that one.
  
  
• Jon from Dc, DeStephen Stills was in love w/Judy Collins...twice she ran away...also the inspiration for Suite Judy Blue Eyes
• Garth from Portland, OrVarious lyrics sites list the last line as being "At the Southern Cross" or "In the Southern Cross", and neither makes as much sense to me as "AND the Southern Cross" (the 'and' sung as 'n'), as if to say "I'm as likely to forget about loving you as I am to forget seeing the Southern Cross."
• Heather from Los Angeles, CaThe lyric, "and my love is an anchor to you, tied with a silver chain" is wonderful. I always sing this part.
• Peter from Sault Ste Marie , ChileI must say that this is one of the remarkable performances that has it all. I was lucky enough to stumble on a great painting titled "Thermoplae and Cutty Sark". This is of the race between two clippers. Underneath on the website were the words and recording of Southern Cross. I have been on the clipper "Cutty Sark" preserved at Greenwich, London, England. One can close one's eyes and dream a little, hard though the reality of sail was- and is.
  Well, it is hard to put it into words, but the absolute pleasure when I hear it. I accept the whole great sound and will never tire of it.
• Rob from Wilkes-barre, PaOne of the greatest songs of all times, reminds me of a girl named Molly.
• Logan from Indialantic, FlThe line "And the downhill run
  To Papeete." is referring to the longest open ocean sail stretch on the planet. It starts in Avalon, or the Port of Avalon which is located on the east coast of Panama and travel west to Papeete which is a city in Tahiti. I believe I remember it is like 2500 miles of open ocean until you see the first unhibited island and then another thousand somthing miles until you reach Papeete. My father who is the one who shared that with me also said that the Port of Avalon is always packed with boats that are each waiting for the perfect moment to set sail because once you begin you cannot turn around. Hints the "Downhill Run".
• Brooks from Bargersville, InSteve Stills is the man.
• Darrell from EugeneHere are some pieces of trivia about Southern Cross Beer- one fictional, one real.
  1. The beer that is drunk in the 1958 Plymouth during the 1983 Stephen King/John Carpenter horror film "Christine" toward the end is called Southern Cross. Someone once told me that the "beer" was really Cragmont Cola (Safeway's old house brand, discontinued around 10 years ago) in old-school tin cans.
  2. A few years ago, I heard about "Southern Cross Wheat Beer" from Australia, but I never tried it. I don't know if it is still being brewed.
  That finishes my lecture about Southern Cross Beer.
• Sharon W from Nashville, TnThis song is timeless, beautiful & romantic. I listen to this amazing group all the time,my kids love them too.Hard to beleive they've been singing and writing these magical songs for forty years.They are a treasure,and have touched millions of people. The first song they knew by heart was " Teach your Children"
• Carlos from São Paulo, BrazilThe Southern Cross is also emblematic for Brazil. It appears in the national flag, in the seal and other symbols. The first reference to the constellation in the brazilian land was made by a german astronomer who was along with Pedro Álvares Cabral's fleet, the portuguese discoverer of the country in 1500. The cross pattern is very symbolic and strongly visible in the darkness of the nights. The longest part of the cross indicates the South. That is why Southern Cross is useful for navigators, including those in South Pacific like the guy in CS&N's song.
  - Carlos Alberto, São Paulo, Brazil
  
• Mike from Hueytown , AlTheir best song ..reminds me of college
• Robert from Chicago, IlI don't know if my post got on, but I will try again. Southern Cross is a great song, no doubt but it really kinda gets to me when I see that Stephen Stills wrote the song with some "HELP"from Richard & Michael Curtis. This is obviously misleading and credit should be rightly given where credit is due. No, Stephen didn't write Southern Cross, with 'help' from the Curtis'. The Curtis' wrote Southern Cross, with a little help from Stephen Stills---mainly his publishing co., Gold Hill, his status, and his insistence in re-writing the lyrics to a song called "7 League Boots", written by the Curtis' years earlier.I, friends know this as fact because I knew Richard very well and listen to the original demo all the time complete with Stevie Nicks backup vocals and Lindsey Buckingham behind the console producing it. although I enjoy both versions, and as good as "Southern Cross" is...I prefer the original, "7 League Boots" myself...but of course, that's just me. A great song anyway one slices it, but i do take issue with disinformation.It's funny, behind the scenes that is, and people's misguided perceptions. I will gladly steer you to Richard's surviving brother Michael, so that you can hear the virgin idea in it's pure form...for those of you out there into the spirit of the artistry of songwriting, it is awesome, how the song went through the transformative process...I find it just captivating!
• Monique from Chicago, IlI absolutely love this song. It is so well crafted and I truly salute the writers. As I listen to the song I imagine that I am sailing, using the Southern Cross to navigate. (This from a person who has never been sailing!)
• Sean from Brockton, MaGreat song- cover of the album "Daylight again" reminds me of a Journey album cover.
• Jay from Bayville, NjConcious, intelligent, moving song. A work of art.
• Dan from New York, Nythis is an awesome song. i saw CSN in concert in Northampton, MA, and they played this. the crowd went wild. it was intense.
• Laurie from Greenfield, WiThis is such a beatiful song! I have a live version that is incredible! One of your best, Mr. Crosby-thank you for the beautiful music!
• Dave from Leesburg, VaI, too, think this is a great song. I sang it to my son every night for a year after he was born. I have an idea regarding the "plot" of the song. I think the man telling the story was married or partnered with a woman and they had a child--I think that's why he refers to searching for that "woman/girl." I think this is backed up by the fact that she ran away twice. I think she ran away because she had to get away, discovered she was pregnant and thought it would be best to come back. Before she told him, she realized that she'd be better off without him. This is also backed up by "love can endure" which suggests that the love he has will endure through his child.
• Dan from Winthrop, MaThis recording has David Crosby in name only as he had reached the depths of his excesses his vocals were handled by Art Gurfunkel and Timothy B. Schmit
• Shannon from Palisade, CoThis is such a beautiful song, I wish more was included about the real meaning behind it instead of just flat facts.
• Fulvio from Belo Horizonte, BrazilIt's the most beautiful song i ever heard in my life !!!I love Crosby,Stills and Nash , they are great musicians !!!
• Ruben from Grove, OkI remember when this song first came out in the early 80's. I was watching it on MTV while I was getting ready for school. I was running late that day, but I didn't care. I had to hear this song. I felt this song back then and I still do.
• Chelsea from Nowhereville, NhActually his boat's name is "Music" as in "...she is all that I have left and Music is her name"
• Laura from Spencerport, NyThis song is one of my all time FAVORITES...it's so pretty. It was my childhood (and i'm only 18 now), and i love playing this on guitar. It's so uplifting! This song rocked in concert on July 19, 2004 at the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center in NY. Rock on, CS&N!!!
• Jes from Canal Fulton, OhI believe it's also the name of Stephen Stills's Boat

see more comments