Farther off the course,
It seems we are drifting.
Grab at anything just
To call ourselves back home.
This sea is furious.
She has lost patience and thus,
We will slip now from our early graves.
We built the craft and chose
The course farthest from suffering.
Sleep now with proud hearts
And with dreams to wake,
Should we weather this day.
Shall we brave against
The unknown obstacles set on our way,
Or give her up
To where the winds may lead?
It seems the easy way.
Moments from sinking,
Monument gray faces
Are the weary from the strain.
Our wills give way to hunger,
Is the sacrifice too great?
As men do tired minds wander.
Can our course now be changed?
My captain, we are taking on water.
This ship has run aground.
We have risked this shallow channel, drowning off parting sound.
The breath of Christ in me
With every toss of the waves.
I've found that there is so much more to this.
Comfort still gets in the way.
Somehow, at the end of this,
With every wind at my sail
I'll touch ground.
When my comes in
"If only tired bones were made of wood"
We could say,
"We could give up this endless task."
Despite the rising tide
The weather-worn ship remains steady and upright.
Set out in search of greater things
And we nearly lost our way.
The breath of Christ in me
With every toss of the waves.
I've found that there is so much more to this.
Comfort still gets in the way.
Somehow, at the end of this,
With every wind at my sail
I'll touch ground.
When my ship comes in


Lyrics submitted by JackSkellingt0n

Off Parting Sound Lyrics as written by

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Off Parting Sound song meanings
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    General Comment

    the BEST lyrically written song by these guys!!! This song parallels with relationships. They drift, people try to hold on, they give up, etc. He askes for guidance through christ to show him the way. and he knows, that some day, it will all make sense.

    outKast524on May 17, 2002   Link

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