Elvis Costello Ship of Fools song lyrics

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

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

But I won't leave you drifting down, oh, 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 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

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