Text: Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead From The Mars Hotel. Ship of Fools.

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 rockin' 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 woh 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