Rod Stewart's song "Sailing" is about sailing across the sea to be near a loved one. The summary provides the overall theme and message of the song in 3 sentences: The song is about sailing across stormy waters to reunite with a loved one and be free. While sailing, the singer feels they are dying trying to be with their love from far away through the dark night. They hope their love can hear them calling out across the sea as they sail home to be near each other once more.