When the Ship Comes In
When the Ship Comes In

Bob Dylan - When the Ship Comes In Lyrics

Rock
Jan 13, 1964
681
When the Ship Comes In Music Video

When the Ship Comes In Lyrics

Oh, the time will come up
When the winds will stop
And the breeze will cease to be breathin'
Like the stillness in the wind
Before the hurricane begins
The hour that the ship comes in

And the seas will split
And the ship will hit
And the sands on the shoreline will be shaking
Then the tide will sound
And the wind will pound
And the morning will be breaking

Oh, the fishes will laugh
As they swim out of the path
And the seagulls they'll be smiling
And the rocks on the sand
Will proudly stand
The hour that the ship comes in

And the words that are used
For to get the ship confused
Will not be understood as they're spoken
For the chains of the sea
Will have busted in the night
And will be buried at the bottom of the ocean

A song will lift
As the mainsail shifts
And the boat drifts on to the shoreline
And the sun will respect
Every face on the deck
The hour that the ship comes in

Then the sands will roll
Out a carpet of gold
For your weary toes to be a-touchin'
And the ship's wise men
Will remind you once again
That the whole wide world is watchin'

Oh, the foes will rise
With the sleep still in their eyes
And they'll jerk from their beds and think they're dreamin'
But they'll pinch themselves and squeal
And know that it's for real
The hour when the ship comes in

Then they'll raise their hands
Sayin' we'll meet all your demands
But we'll shout from the bow your days are numbered
And like Pharaoh's tribe
They'll be drownded in the tide
And like Goliath, they'll be conquered

Writer(s): Bob Dylan
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who inspired Bob Dylan to write 'When the Ship Comes In'?

    The song was inspired by an incident where a hotel clerk refused Dylan a room due to his unkempt appearance. Joan Baez vouched for him, and this experience, combined with influences from Brecht and Weill's 'Pirate Jenny,' led to the creation of the song.

  2. When was 'When the Ship Comes In' written?

    'When the Ship Comes In' was written in August 1963. Bob Dylan wrote it in a hotel room after being denied entry due to his appearance.

  3. Which artists have covered 'When the Ship Comes In'?

    'When the Ship Comes In' has been covered by several artists, including Peter, Paul and Mary, who released it as a single in 1965, and The Pogues on their album Pogue Mahone.

  4. What notable performance featured Bob Dylan singing 'When the Ship Comes In'?

    Bob Dylan performed 'When the Ship Comes In' during Live Aid on July 13, 1985. He was accompanied by Keith Richards and Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones.

  5. How did critics react to Peter, Paul and Mary's version of 'When the Ship Comes In'?

    Critics praised Peter, Paul and Mary's version of 'When the Ship Comes In.' Billboard described it as an exciting rouser with an outstanding performance by the trio. Cash Box called it a rhythmic, fast-moving bluesy ditty with a warm-hearted theme.

  6. What is unique about the lyrics and meter of 'When the Ship Comes In'?

    The lyrics and meter of 'When the Ship Comes In' are remarkably similar to those in the first six stanzas of the Egyptian Great Hymn to Aten from around 1500 BC, which celebrates the rising sun.

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