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.
Went to see the captain, strangest I could find
Laid my proposition down, laid it on the line
I won't slave for beggar's pay, likewise gold and jewels
But I would slave to learn the way to sink your ship of fools
Chorus Ship of fools on a cruel sea
Ship of fools sail away from me
It was later than I thought when I first believed you
But now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools
Saw your first ship sink and drown from rocking of the boat
And all that could not sink of swim were just left there to float
I won't leave you drifting down but whoa it makes me wild
With thirty years upon my head to have you call me child
The bottles stand as empty now, as they were filled before
Time there was and plenty, but from that cup no more
Though I could not caution all, I still might warn a few
Don't lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools
Laid my proposition down, laid it on the line
I won't slave for beggar's pay, likewise gold and jewels
But I would slave to learn the way to sink your ship of fools
Chorus Ship of fools on a cruel sea
Ship of fools sail away from me
It was later than I thought when I first believed you
But now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools
Saw your first ship sink and drown from rocking of the boat
And all that could not sink of swim were just left there to float
I won't leave you drifting down but whoa it makes me wild
With thirty years upon my head to have you call me child
The bottles stand as empty now, as they were filled before
Time there was and plenty, but from that cup no more
Though I could not caution all, I still might warn a few
Don't lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools
Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind
Ship of Fools Lyrics as written by Robert C. Hunter Jerome J. Garcia
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
I see it as a comment on society in general. many cultures have sunk from rockin of the boat. like this fucking american way of life that is so oppressive, and repressive, with those domineering religious sects. dont raise your flag atop that war mongering way of life. when we sink we will just be left there to float. I could go on, but thats kind of how i see it. this is my fav gd song. I just love the imagery of it, I wonder if anyone else sees it like that
The title/tagline is from a medieval Christian religious allegory.Hunter's writng is full of such stuff,he's very well read.There was a time when those who were considered to be insane were cast off in boats called ships of fools Later the same were put in asylums. The song though , seems like a political /cultural metaphor.
my history teacher talked about this song today in class and i wasnt really paying attention but i do remember him saying that this song was protesting against the goverenment and "ship of fools" refers to the goverenment.
Don’t believe everything the teacher says.
I think that the ship of fools might represent heroin, or the drugs Jerry was taking. The addiction was what needed to sail away. Each line puts Jerry's struggles with drugs into a different perspective. Jerry was also the captain of the ship, which included the crew behind him. The song is ambiguous in meaning. No clear cut interpretation proven to me quite yet.
has allways been my top 3 fav jerry tunes and i would hate to relate it to his addictions think it was wrote long before it got to deep bc surely i cant get clean. but it always hit home for me living on the fringes of society and not following allong , thats my 2 cents
Hmm. I think Robert Hunter was feeling disgusted with something in the US (song is from early '70's but could fit any period). I'd be curious what in particular, back then, set him off. And he was saying to take a stand to not support whatever idiocy had set this off. Ship of fools/ship of state. At sea, mutiny is not taken lightly, so this is a serious decision, to not stand by the supposed leader... Most Dead songs (& Hunter's in particular) tried to stay somewhat apolitical, but occasionally, they got fed up or fired up but it was generally in a way that didn't pin them to any specific time or item of regard.
Personally I believe this song to be almost an outcry against ignorance. The ship of fools is a metaphor for how we as a society, have failed to open our eyes to the greater truths of this world, instead choosing to be dormantly content with scraps and sorrow. And so those who are enlightened like Jerry, or those who are somewhat at least will let that diseased ship sail away, making one created out of their own compassion and wisdom.
Didn't see it mentioned but in addition to the song having a socio-political context (Nixon especially I'm sure), I do believe Hunter addressed a good bit of the scorn towards the crew - which had become its own animal by the time the Wall Of Sound came around and the song was written. Hunter has talked about when the cocaine took control and it was all about egos and who is closest to Jerry, he checked out of the scene almost entirely and eventually moved to England for several years. I think this is his way of settling scores with a lot of the pre-hiatus tour crew.
does anyone find a connection between this song and Bosch's painting dubbed ship of fools as well?
First i can't believe only one person has posted about this song! It's fricking beautiful! It reminds me of my life in general. I've become quite the jaded individual over the years & happy chipper clueless people are what i think of when i think 'ship of fools'.. contempt & pity sort of "sail away from me" (pleeeaaase!!) and the moment of realization that you almost bought into it and now your goal is to sink that ship to possibly put the idiots out of their misery.. or perhaps sink the ship and let the fools off for enlightenment ;)
I honestly have no idea what this song is about.
I know that in days past the insane were often thrown onto ships and sailed about.... "And all that could not sink or swim was just left there to float."
Sort of an out of sight, out of mind thing?
Often the isolation and vastness of the sea, and the time away from home would driver them further into madness:
"The bottles stand as empty, as they were filled before. Time there was and plenty, but from that cup no more."
I can only presume the fools were objects of ridicule by the locals when they came into port, but some saw the folly of the situation:
"It was later than I thought, when I first believed you, Now I cannot share your laughter"