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 a way to sink your ship of fools
Chorus:
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 were just left there to float
I won't leave you drifting down but oh, it makes me wild
With thirty years upon my head to have you call me child
(Repeat Chorus)
The bottle stands as empty as it was 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
(Repeat Chorus)
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Ship Of Fools |
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Written by | Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter |
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Performed by | Elvis Costello & The Rude 5 |
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Produced by | Elvis Costello & Kevin Killen |
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Musicians | Elvis Costello - vocals, acoustic guitar Jim Keltner - drums Jerry Scheff - electric bass, Ampeg Baby Bass Larry Knechtel - piano James Burton - electric guitar Marc Ribot - banjo, Eb horn |
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Recorded | 1990, Blue Wave Studios, Barbados Vocal backgrounds added at Eden Studios, London |
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Released | April 23, 1991 |
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Albums | Kojak Variety (Rhino/Edsel edition), 2004 |
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Various Artists collections | Deadicated, 1991 |
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Promos | Selections From Almost Blue, Goodbye Cruel World, Kojak Variety, 2004 |
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Length | 5:18 |
Alternate versions
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