The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Nautical Twilight" by the artist "Tori Amos"

In "Nautical Twilight," Tori Amos crafts a narrative of inner turmoil and self-discovery as the protagonist finds herself adrift in an alienating and oppressive world.

The nautical twilight, a time of transition between light and darkness, mirrors the protagonist's journey into a new and unfamiliar reality. By turning her back on "the power I am made of," she seemingly renounces her own identity, embracing the imposed constraints ("bound and gagged"). Leaving her world for "his world" disrupts a delicate balance, leading to the gradual dissolution of her sense of self.

The image of the sea engulfing her city embodies the all-consuming nature of external influence. "He," a mysterious figure, perhaps a lover, is associated with the sea, its vastness, and its destructive power. He is obsessed with seeking new experiences ("drinking spices from the east"), urged by his "water mistress" – a dangerous temptress. This leads the protagonist to the "Uranium den" – a place of radioactive decay and disintegration. The "water mistress," dividing her time between "greed and its twin, tyranny," symbolizes the destructive forces governing both "him" and the world she finds herself trapped in.

However, amidst the feelings of oppression and despair, a spark of defiance ignites within the protagonist. The shift from nautical twilight to dawn symbolizes an awakening of inner strength and a determination to reclaim her lost self. The final lines are a call to action, a declaration of the protagonist's resolve to resist external pressure and embrace liberation.