I'm leavin' my family
And leavin' my friends
My body's at home
But my heart's in the wind
Where the clouds are like headlines
On a new front page sky
My tears are salt water
And the moon's full and high

And I know Martin Eden's
Gonna be proud of me
And many before me
Who've been called by the sea
To be up in the crow's nest
And singin' my say
Shiver me Timbers
I'm a-sailin' away

The fog's liftin'
And the sand's shiftin'
And I'm driftin' on out
And Ol' Captain Ahab
Ain't got nothin' on me
So come on and swallow me, don't follow me
I travel alone
Blue water's my daughter
And I'm gonna skippin' like a stone

And please call my missus
Tell her not to cry
My goodbye is written
By the moon in the sky
And nobody knows me
I can't fathom my stayin'
And shiver me timbers
I'm a-sailin' away

And the fog's liftin'
And the sand's shiftin'
And I'm driftin' on out
Ol' Captain Ahab
He ain't got nothin' on me
So come on and swallow me, don't follow me
I travel alone
Blue water's my daughter
And I'm skippin' like a stone

And I'm leavin' my family
And I'm leavin' my friends
My body's at home
But my heart's in the wind
Where the clouds are like headlines
On a new front page sky
And shiver me timbers
I'm a-sailin' away


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira, edited by Spooky_Tooth

Shiver Me Timbers Lyrics as written by Tom Waits

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, JALMA MUSIC, Songtrust Ave

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Shiver Me Timbers song meanings
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    General Comment

    One of my favorite Tom Waits songs..I always interpreted it as being about suicide. "nobody knows me can't fathom my stayin" then there's the mention of Martin Eden and Captain Ahab who both died at sea..I could be wrong

    noodles79on May 02, 2008   Link

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