“Southern Cross” is a song by Crosby, Stills & Nash, released as a single in September 1982 and featured on their album Daylight Again. Written by Stephen Stills in collaboration with Rick and Michael Curtis, the track became a classic rock staple and reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Origins and Composition The song is a substantial reworking of an earlier, unreleased demo called “Seven League Boots,” written by the Curtis Brothers. Stills described the original composition as drifting too much, so he rewrote the lyrics and added a new chorus. The original 1974 demo of “Seven League Boots” featured backing vocals by Stevie Nicks and production by Lindsey Buckingham. Stills transformed the track from a reference to magical fairy-tale boots into a narrative about celestial navigation and emotional healing.
Inspiration and Themes Stills wrote the lyrics based on a voyage through French Polynesia following his divorce from French singer Véronique Sanson. The song reflects his journey of self-discovery and healing, using the Southern Cross constellation (Crux) as a metaphor for guidance and renewal. Lyrically, it details a sailing trip from Avalon to Papeete and the Marquesas, blending nautical imagery with introspective themes about love and loss. The track is widely categorized as yacht rock and remains a concert favorite for the band and artists like Jimmy Buffett.
[Verse 1]
Got out of town on a boat, going to Southern islands
Sailing a reach before a following sea
She was making for the trades on the outside
And the downhill run to Papeete
Off the wind on this heading lie, the Marquesas
We got eighty feet of the 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
[Pre-Chorus]
(I think about)
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices calling
What heaven brought you and me
Cannot be forgotten (I’ve been around the world)
[Chorus]
I have been around the world (Looking)
Looking for that woman-girl
(And I know she knows)
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
[Verse 2]
When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You understand now why you came this way
‘Cause the truth you might be running from is so small
But it’s as big as the promise
The promise of a coming day
So I’m sailing for tomorrow, my dreams are a-dying
And my love is an anchor tied to you
Tied with a silver chain
I have my ship
And all her flags are a-flying
She is all that I have left
And music is her name
[Pre-Chorus]
(I think about)
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices calling
What heaven brought you and me
Cannot be forgotten (I’ve been around the world)
[Chorus]
I have been around the world (Looking)
Looking for that woman-girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
And you know it will
(Yes)
[Verse 3]
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 fine
Will come along, make me forget about loving you
In the Southern Cross
