Cm F Eb Bb
            Bb                          F   Eb  Gdim                    Bb
              I went to see the captain, strangest I could find
            Bb           D       Eb           Dm  Cm               F
              Laid my proposition down, I laid it on the line
                                          Eb           Bb         Dm                        Cm
              I won't slave for beggar's pay, nor likewise gold and jewels
            Eb                               Bb                        F            Eb         Bb
              But I would slave to learn the way to sink your ship of fools

                                         F              Eb     Bb
                             Ship of fools on a cruel sea
                                         F                Eb          Gm
                             Ship of fools sail away from me

                                                      Gm
                                            It was later than I thought
                                       Gdim
                                            When I first believed you
                                                       Cm                         F
                                            Now I cannot share your laughter
                                        Eb            Bb       Eb Bb
                                            Ship of fools

              Saw your first ship sink and drown from rocking of the boat
              And all that could not sink nor swim was just left there to float
              I won't leave you driftin' down, but whoa it makes me wild
              With thirty years upon my head to have you call me child

                             Ship of fools on a cruel sea
                             Ship of fools sail away from me

                                            It was later than I thought
                                            When I first believed you
                                            Now I cannot share your laughter
                                            Ship of fools
                                                          *Solo*   (verse & chorus)

                             Ship of fools on a cruel sea
                             Ship of fools sail away from me

                                            It was later than I thought
                                            When I first believed you
                                            Now I cannot share your laughter
                                            Ship of fools

              The bottle stands as empty, as it was filled before
              Time there was, and plenty, but from that cup, no more
              Though I could not caution all, I still might warn a few
              Don't lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools

                             Ship of fools on a cruel sea
                             Ship of fools sail away from me

                                            It was later than I thought
                                            When I first believed you
                                            Now I cannot share your laughter
                                            Ship of fools

                                            It was later than I thought
                                            When I first believed you
                                            Now I cannot share your laughter
                                            Ship of fools...
                                                                       Cm  F  Eb  Bb