Ship of Fools - Grateful Dead

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

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

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 or swim was 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

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

Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools

The bottles stand as empty

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

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

Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools

It was later than I thought when I first believed you

Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools