Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “If I Had a Boat – Live at The Olympia, Ireland/2011” by James Vincent McMorrow
“If I Had a Boat” by James Vincent McMorrow is a wistful and soulful song, exploring the universal human desire for freedom and adventure. The narrator longs for moments of respite from the trappings of life, wishing that he could just escape into the unknown and the unknown’s possibilities. He sings “If I had a boat I’d go out on the ocean, but I technically don’t so I’m gonna stay here and dream,” conveying his resignation to his limitations while still hoping for the best.
The song speaks to those moments in life when we all feel the crushing weight of reality and can only dream of the possibilities. The narrator expresses sorrow for being so limited in his choices and admits his vulnerability to feeling ‘contained’ and powerless. Ultimately, the song conveys a powerful message about how sometimes during the most difficult times we can still find hope by appreciating the little things in life and looking for the beauty that exists in our world. If we let it, even the “tiny sea-side towns” can transport us away to a world of freedom and possibility.