Hey, hey Cripple Creek ferry
Butting through the overhanging trees
Make way for the Cripple Creek ferry
The waters going down, it's a mighty tight squeeze

All alone the captain stands
Hasn't heard from his deckhands
The gambler tips his hat and walks towards the door
It's the second half of the cruise
And you know he hates to lose

Hey, hey Cripple Creek ferry
Butting through the overhanging trees
Make way for the Cripple Creek ferry
The waters going down it's a mighty tight squeeze

Hey, hey Cripple Creek ferry
Butting through the overhanging trees
Make way for the Cripple Creek ferry
The waters going down, it's a mighty tight squeeze


Lyrics submitted by radicaledward76

Cripple Creek Ferry Lyrics as written by Neil Young

Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Cripple Creek Ferry song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

6 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    It’s about a gambling boat. In many parts of the US gambling was, and in some places still is, only legal on a boat that is “on the river” and not at dock. This song is about a structure that’s really a bridge across a very small river but because it’s anchored rather than completely attached to either river bank, its operators refer to it as a “ferry”. Picture a boat sitting at anchor, perpendicular to the flow of a river with its bow almost touching one side and its stern almost touching the other. “It’s a mighty tight squeeze”. The captain “hasn’t heard from his deck hands” because they don’t exist. He’s only captain in title to exploit the legal loophole which makes the structure a “boat”. The “second half of the ‘cruise’ “ and the use of the term ‘ferry’ are facetious nods to the fact that this is not a boat at all. Of course as with all great lyrics there is room for endless metaphorical interpretation, but basically this is a song about a gambling boat.

    zephcourtneyon May 27, 2018   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.