I really don't think this is literal especially given meanings of other broken bells songs. I like the metaphorical imagery of the pirate ship floating aimlessly causing death and destruction to all others it comes across but I think it is a metaphor for someone going through the motions of relationship with someone who like him is traveling aimlessly out for the the glory of a new conquest with no feelings for the hearts left broken in their wake...there is no true feeling of love, just the sentiment of going through the motions perhaps aimless sex- they are unable to break free from their little world of numbness and hurt causing them to sail on endlessly doing the same thing over and over- a kind of purgatory of the heart.
I really don't think this is literal especially given meanings of other broken bells songs. I like the metaphorical imagery of the pirate ship floating aimlessly causing death and destruction to all others it comes across but I think it is a metaphor for someone going through the motions of relationship with someone who like him is traveling aimlessly out for the the glory of a new conquest with no feelings for the hearts left broken in their wake...there is no true feeling of love, just the sentiment of going through the motions perhaps aimless sex- they are unable to break free from their little world of numbness and hurt causing them to sail on endlessly doing the same thing over and over- a kind of purgatory of the heart.