If you smile at me
I will understand
'Cause that is something
Everybody everywhere does in the same language

I can see by your coat, my friend
You're from the other side
There's just one thing I've got to know
Can you tell me please, who won

Say, can I have some of your purple berries
Yes, I've been eating them for six or seven weeks now
Haven't got sick once
Prob'ly keep us both alive

Wooden ships on the water, very free, and easy
Easy, you know the way it's supposed to be
Silver people on the shoreline let us be
Talk'n 'bout very free, and easy

Horror grips us as we watch you die
All we can do is echo your anguished cries
Stare as all human feelings die
We are leaving, you don't need us

Go take a sister, then, by the hand
Lead her away from this foreign land
Far away, where we might laugh again
We are leaving, you don't need us

And it's a fair wind
Blowin' warm out of the south over my shoulder
Guess I'll set a course and go


Lyrics submitted by Hilde

Wooden Ships song meanings
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    General Comment

    David was into the sort of culture critiques of the mid-century existentialists like Albert Camus, Jean Paul Sartre, Ron Laing, Terry Southern and Jules Henry. The song reflects their notions that popular culture is a manipulation to keep the masses working and buying. Almost any interview with David in those days got to this sooner or later. Stephen was similarly inclined as his own lyrics repeatedly demonstrate.

    naughtmoseson June 18, 2011   Link

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