The Ship Song

I wrote the song because Anita and i would argue at a constant pace and I would always tell her to unleash the dogs and burn the bridges as a way of saying you can say what you feel but forget the past and let's move forward. in an argument one always has to stand down until the other quits. this cleans off the slate. the first verse contemplates arguing all night long until one gives in and they embrace each other and start over. this was not one of my "dark" songs. I write what I feel and I was not feeling "dark". if you want "dark" then immerse yourself into murder ballads. thank you Nicholas Edward Cave

I think that is a fair interpretation, however, I think it could also be about forbidden love, an affair, not just old lovers. It's clear that they are old lovers with a history. Burning bridges, makes me guess that she is married. Finding myself in a similare situation in my life, I find the line "We make a little history, baby/Every time you come around" especially beautiful. Inside of a relationship that can have no future, I found myself telling my lover that I will remember him when I am an old woman. Sometimes life is complicated, like a good song.

I love this song. Giving yourself entirely to another person. That's all. Come what may, ships, dogs.

I think "come sail your ships" means a battle is about to begin: he sees courtship as a war, but in a playful sense, it's not a sad song. I suppose "and let your hair hang down" refers to war too: the woman is seen as a warrior goddess. These lyrics are really haunting, it's one of my favourite Nick Cave songs.

it really surprises me that no one has commented on this song before...it's just beautiful. i'm not too sure whether i understand all the lyrics, but i love it. i would b glad if someone could tell me what is meant by *Come sail your ships around me* is it referring to his want to have her near him? or could it be interpreted as sexual??

I agree with Lady Evelnhair, this is a beautiful song. I love it. I have only heard the version with Concrete Blonde and it is so good. My favorite lines are: Your face has fallen sad now For you know the time is nigh When I must remove your wings And you, you must try to fly It is about letting someone you love go. It may be sad, but it is the right thing to do. Although, I have always wondered why the songs speaks of "removing wings" when it is hard to fly without them? Perhaps that is the irony in it?

"We talk about it all night long We define our moral ground But when I crawl into your arms Everything comes tumbling down" Talk about a weird verse...

i think this song is about inspiration. the process of creation. it's always a struggle. taking from some unknown source. working as a tool for something you may not fully understand. you can define a moral ground, think of it as a craft, put it in a 'frame'. but when it comes to 'painting' - rules are no longer valid. they're useful as a rational background. hints for the person who encounters it, leading to the certain emotional path. but the process of creation remains a mystery. come sail your ships around me and burn your bridges down - an invitation for a brand new journey come loose your dogs upon me and let your hair hang down (image of tranquility) - haunt me with ideas and watch the clash your face has fallen sad now for you know the time is nigh when i must remove your wings and you, you must try to fly let's say that inspiration is personified as an angelic vision of a woman. with wings being a symbol of freedom but also of a womb. her face is sad, she feels the end is near. the work is done. another gulf has its bridge. i think that's the most difficult/important part in the process of creation - knowing where the thread changes its structure. the moment when you say 'cut'. you see the birth of something that has its own life. 'remove your wings' - remove protection. you must try to fly - find your way to people. inspire. 'grow your own wings'. this song is more than a song. it's a description of a particular frame of mind. that's the way i see it. but the most important beauty of any song, poem, painting, (...), is the fact that anyone can understand it in his/her own way. if it strikes a chord, develops something new in you every time it comes around - the work is done. the circle is closed.

I think this song is about two ex-lovers that continually go back to each other. The two lovers have a history of each time they meet they make love. But this time when they meet again, they don’t want to let this happen because they are both very guarded and hurt during their on and off again relationship. When they talk about their moral ground, I feel that it is they are agreeing to not make love. However, when they are in each other embrace “everything comes tumbling down” and they can no long resist the urge to make love.

I think this song is about two ex-lovers that continually go back to each other. The two lovers have a history of each time they meet they make love. But this time when they meet again, they don’t want to let this happen because they are both very guarded and hurt during their on and off again relationship. When they talk about their moral ground, I feel that it is they are agreeing to not make love. However, when they are in each other embrace “everything comes tumbling down” and they can no long resist the urge to make love.