Song of the Sea follows Ben, a young boy grieving his mother’s disappearance, and his mute sister Saoirse, revealed as the last selkie. The film weaves Irish folklore with themes of grief, family bonds, facing fears, and embracing emotions over suppression.
This curated collection of 25 quotes captures pivotal moments of emotional depth, character growth, and mythological wonder across the story’s arcs.
My son, remember me in your stories and in your songs
(Opening scene)
Bronagh
Parting words to Ben before vanishing, underscoring eternal maternal love amid selkie sacrifice.
Come away oh human child, to the waters and the wild
(Opening lullaby)
Bronagh
Yeats-inspired song evokes folklore’s allure, introducing themes of loss and the sea’s call.
You’ll hear the song of the sea
(Early family moment)
Bronagh
Gifting the shell to Ben fosters wonder, later symbolizing connection to Saoirse’s selkie heritage.
You’re going to be the best big brother in the world
(Bronagh’s vision)
Bronagh
Encourages Ben’s protective role, haunting him as guilt shapes his initial resentment toward Saoirse.
It’s not an island at all, it’s a huge giant
(Storytelling scene)
Ben
Recounts Mac Lir tale to Saoirse, blending fear and folklore while revealing his storytelling gift.
She was his mother!
(Macha story climax)
Ben
Twists the Mac Lir legend, mirroring family pain and foreshadowing Macha’s maternal grief.
Human child, find the selkie’s true coat!
(Fort rescue)
Lug
Urgent plea during owl attack highlights quest’s stakes, pushing Ben toward heroism.
Her name’s Saoirse
(Fort revelation)
Ben
Defends sister to fairies, first step in accepting her identity beyond resentment.
The stories that Mum told me, they’re all true
(Holy well arc)
Ben
Confirms folklore reality upon Saoirse’s transformation, bridging grief with wonder.
Oh, Geney Mackerel
(Selkie confirmation)
Ben
Humorous shock at truth, marking shift from denial to embracing family myth.
Without her coat, the selkie has no voice
(Seanachai warning)
Great Seanachai
Explains Saoirse’s peril, catalyzing Ben’s growth from fear to selfless action.
She’ll be turned to stone soon, no doubt
(Seanachai vision)
Great Seanachai
Forewarns collective fate, tying personal loss to the fading fairy world’s survival.
I take away the pain
(Macha confrontation)
Macha
Offers emotionless “peace,” tempting Ben but revealing suppression’s true cost.
You see how I have taken all her cares away?
(Macha’s defense)
Macha
Justifies petrifying Saoirse, contrasting false calm with vital emotional vulnerability.
I have been so lost for so long
(Macha’s redemption)
Macha
Confesses grief over her son, humanizing the antagonist and echoing family healing.
I couldn’t bear to see my son suffering so much
(Macha breakdown)
Macha
Admits maternal fear drove her actions, paralleling Conor’s protective instincts.
You must reunite her with her coat before it’s too late
(Macha’s aid)
Macha
Redeemed, aids the quest, transforming foe to ally in themes of forgiveness.
I threw it away… I should’ve done it years ago
(Lighthouse confession)
Conor
Admits fear-fueled rejection of Saoirse’s heritage, confronting his prolonged grief.
I lost you Bron… I can’t lose her as well
(Chest overboard)
Conor
Vulnerable plea reveals depth of loss, spurring bravery to reclaim the coat.
It’s not your fault, it never was
(Rescue apology)
Ben
Absolves Saoirse of mother’s “death,” pivotal growth from blame to brotherly love.
I should’ve been a better brother to you
(Shell moment)
Ben
Heartfelt regret amid crisis, solidifying redemption through vulnerability.
His heart was broken into pieces by a great, great tragedy
(Seanachai hair story)
Great Seanachai
Mac Lir’s anguish mirrors Ben’s, teaching that unprocessed grief petrifies the soul.
Such was his anguish that he cried a whole ocean
(Mac Lir tale)
Great Seanachai
Illustrates overwhelming sorrow, connecting personal pain to mythic scale.
All truths will never bear the promise of old
(Song of the Sea)
Saoirse
Climactic selkie song revives fairies, embodying acceptance and renewal.
Where the ocean meets the sky… We’ll sing the song of the sea
(Final song)
Saoirse
Triumphant lullaby unites family and folklore, healing divides with hopeful harmony.
