went to see the captain strangest i could find laid my proposition down laid it on the line i won t slave for beggar s pay likewise gold and jewels but i would slave to learn the way to sink your 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 but now i cannot share your laughter ship of fools saw your first ship sink and drown from rocking of the boat and all that could not sink or swim were just left there to float i won t leave you drifting 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 but now i cannot share your laughter ship of fools the bottles stand as empty now as they were 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 but now i cannot share your laughter ship of fools