Grateful Dead
Lyric guide

Ship of Fools

Read Ship of Fools lyrics by Grateful Dead on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Grateful Dead visibility1 visits
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Grateful Dead Canonical path: /grateful-dead/ship-of-fools Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

Ship of Fools

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

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.

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Ship of Fools"?

Grateful Dead performs "Ship of Fools", and this lyric page sits inside the Grateful Dead catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Ship of Fools"?

Yes. The related section below points to China Doll and All Over Now with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Grateful Dead?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Grateful Dead's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Ship of Fools yet.