Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Phil Ochs
Canonical path: /phil-ochs/the-scorpion-departs-but-never-returns
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns
Read The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns lyrics by Phil Ochs on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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.
Lyrics
The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns
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.
Sailors climb the tree, up the terrible tree
Where are my shipmates have they sunk beneath the sea?
I do not know much, but i know this cannot be
It isn't really, it isn't really,
Tell me it isn't really.
Sounding bell is diving down the water green
Not a trace, not a toothbrush, not a cigarette was seen
Bubble ball is rising from a whisper or a scream
But i'm not screaming, no i'm not screaming,
Tell me i'm not screaming.
Captain will not say how long we must remain
The phantom ship forever sail the sea
It's all the same.
Captain my dear captain we're staying down so long
I have been a good man, i've done nobody wrong
Have we left our ladies for the lyrics of a song?
That i'm not singing, i'm not singing
Tell me i'm not singing
The schooner ship is sliding across the kitchen sink
My son and my daughter they won't know what to think
The crew has turned to voting and the officers to drink
But i'm not drinking, no i'm not drinking
Tell me i'm not drinking
Captain will not say how long we must remain
The phantom ship forever sail the sea
It's all the same.
The radio is begging them to come back to the shore
All will be forgiven, it'll be just like before
All you've ever wanted will be waiting by your door
We will forgive you, we will forgive you
Tell me we will forgive you
But no one gives an answer not even one goodbye
Oh, the silence of their sinking is all that they reply
Some have chosen to decay and other chose to die
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns"?
Phil Ochs performs "The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns", and this lyric page sits inside the Phil Ochs catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns"?
Yes. The related section below points to Another Country and A Toast to Those Who Are Gone with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Phil Ochs?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Phil Ochs's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open 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.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns yet.
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.