I interpreted the picture like this:
OK, I pictured a guy who fell in the lake for some reason.  
 
He's swimming in the freezing cold lake to get to land.  He's suffering.  He's cold and lonely through most of his journey, but determined.  It's kind of a sad feeling so I threw in minors (D minors). 
 
He finally reaches land and he reaches that cozy little house with the chimney.  He's relieved, victorious, and happy so the song has a happy twist at the end just like the story.  it's majorish (D majorish) at the end.