The Ship Song

Yes, it's a love song. Originally written and performed by Nick Cave, it was on his 1990 album The Good Son. I've always been partial to this version by Concrete Blonde, which was originally a b-side, also dating from 1990. I'll have a longer post on Concrete Blonde later, but I'll just say this, the moment when Johnette Napolitano comes into this song (around 1:30) still sends shivers down my spine. It's a song about two lovers who have forgotten the world, lost in the damage of their own world. The key lyrics are about how the connection you make with someone can make you forget all sorts of dubious and destructive moral choices you've made in the world outside.

We talk about it all night long
We define our moral ground
But when I crawl into your arms
Everything it comes tumbling down

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history, baby
Every time you come around

And then, she sings, unbelievably and inevitably [at 1:30]:

Your face has fallen sad now
For you know the time is nigh
When I must remove your wings
And you, you must try and fly