World Party – Ship Of Fools lyrics

World Party – Ship Of Fools lyrics

We're setting sail
To the place on the map from which no one has ever returned
Drawn by the promise of the joker and the fool
By the light of the crosses that burn
Drawn by the promise of the women and the lace
And the gold and the cotton and pearls
It's the place where they keep all the darkness you need
You sail away from the light of the world on this trip baby
Pay, you will pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow
You will pay tomorrow
Save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this ship of fools, no no
Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this ship of fools, no no
I want to run and hide
Right now
Avarice and greed are gonna drive you over the endless sea
They will leave you drifting in the shallows
Drowning in the oceans of history
Travellin' the world, you're in search of no good
But I'm sure you'll build your Sodom like I knew you would
Using all the good people for your galley slaves
As your little boat struggles through the the warning waves
But you will pay, you will pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow
You gonna pay tomorrow
Save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this ship of fools, no
Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this ship of fools, no
Where's it comin' from or where's it goin' to?
It's just a, it's just a ship of fools
All aboard

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/w/world_party/ship_of_fools.html

Songwriters: KARL EDMOND DE VERE WALLINGER

Ship Of Fools lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Corrected by mdsummer

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Tondowsky 2021-04-27 04:17:50

This is one of the most prescient songs written about the 'trickle down' economic policies of the 1980s in the United States (Reaganomics) and the United Kingdom (Thatcherism.) The song was released in 1986 by a citizen of Britain.

As a high school economics and history teacher I tell my students (without judgement) that one way of looking at the economic policies of the 1980s is 'short term gain for long term pain' in regards to the tax cuts that mostly went to the wealthiest and the regulatory cuts that were aimed at protecting the environment and worker health and safety.

Drawn by the promise of the women and the lace
And the gold and the cotton and pearls

is a reference to the short term gains for the wealthiest, but Wallinger warns them "You will pay tomorrow"

"Using all the good people for your galley slaves" is a reference to how the gains taken by the wealthiest in the 1980s came at the expense of the poor.

"Avarice and greed are gonna drive you over the endless sea" is a reference to the environmental degradation, and how it will backfire on the wealthiest and the non wealthy people in the 1980s who also supported these economic policies.

I don't know if the 80s economic policies have rebounded on the wealthiest, but certainly more and more people seem to look at the policies people voted for in the 1980s saying 'what were they thinking?'

For anybody who disagrees with this interpretation of the song, Karl Wallinger has said he was referring to Thatcherism and Reaganomics.

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Martha Fink 2015-09-13 00:06:43

I am taking an Early American Literature class right now, and this song just keeps coming into my head. Ships of fools crossed the seas to this country (U.S.) not even knowing where they were going, most of them dying, then destroying most of the Native Americans with disease, slave labor, or murder, as well as raping what is now known as Haiti of every tree that grew there. We are still acting the same today, out of greed and selfishness; destroying the whole planet. We are acting as the song says-like a ship of fools.

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Unregistered 2020-12-18 21:32:49

The date of your post is timely. The four years that began in 2016 very much illustrate the nature and meaning of the lyrics of this song. So many of the leadership's actions, public and private, reflect the greedy playing upon the unsuspecting good people. The joker and the fool indeed! The liar and his supporters. Thankfully the light has prevailed and that vile scourge will be gone soon.

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Unregistered 2016-06-15 03:36:50

The ship of fools are all people who reject Christ, who is "the light of the world". They allow themselves to be led by Satan, "the joker and the fool". Notice how the song mentions various mortal sins. Interestingly enough, the song talks about building another "Sodom". How fitting it is, that as a country, the United States of America has institutionalized, rationalized, protected and promoted homosexuality, a deviant, immoral sexual practice that is scientifically proven to be a perversion. The USA has taken a stance against Jesus, enacting legislation that is truly antichrist. The chorus is a warning to the ungodly, and at the same time, a plea for salvation, a proclamation of repentance, seeking pardon from the fire and brimstone destruction that awaits all who reject Jesus, and live lives in disobedience to the Eternal Law of God.

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Unregistered 2016-02-14 06:25:44

You're full of sh*t - we have never acted this way and continue to make the world a better place as generous Americans - who seek freedom and liberty for all. We are 2nd to none in the world conscientious about protecting our planet. You've obviously been fed and eaten up the liberal propaganda bs of white guilt. If you can't be proud, please get on board so your ship of fools can sink to the bottom of the sea! This song reminds me of our crappy politicians - who are truly fools! Be real and get a life.

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