When the Ship Comes Sailing By

the seabirds all fly out of sight, afraid of the coming of the night? blue waters rise like mountain high, restless like thunder in the sky. the wind comes like a restless ghost, screaming women, the old and the lost, and while the devil roars with laughter the young boy curses his old mother - that's when the ship comes sailing by, that's when the ship begins to cry. the sad singer sings his soft lullaby while tears are falling from his eyes; as the old man wails in his deathbed, his son is making love to the maid. the flood is rising, the storm is raging, the breeze is whizzing, bells are tolling, folks are weeping 'cause death is coming, snakes are hissing, dams are bursting - that's when the ship comes sailing by, that's when the ship begins to cry. the fools are wise, the wise are fools, shattered dreams like mud in a pool, societal gods so mighty and strong, crazy people they parade in throng. senseless words from a dirty mouth, crazy thoughts flowing in and out, crying sea of roaring high tide, hate shows with no place to hide - that's when the ship comes sailing by, that's when the ship begins to cry. thoughts don't show, words don't kill, yet many have vanished to the hill; though wealth flowed out unseen, it left a trace where it once has been. curse me now before your time is up, raise your head and hold your cup; the wind of change is coming fast, your cruel reign just could not last; be prepared to spare your soul when I come running to your hall - that's when the ship comes sailing by, that's when the ship begins to cry.