The Ship Song

The Ship Song is an iconic and beautiful ballad sung by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.



In 2010 the Sydney Opera House sought Nick Cave's permission to record a version of the song, and he agreed.

Many musicians and dancers were involved in the production of the song:

Neil Finn, Kev Carmody and The Australian Ballet, Sarah Blasko, John Bell, Angus and Julia Stone, Paul Kelly and Bangarra Dance Theatre, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Opera Australia, Martha Wainwright, Katie Noonan and The Sydney Symphony, The Temper Trap, Daniel Johns and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Sydney Opera House CEO Richard Evans:

“We set out to create a tribute to the House’s role in the global creative community – a love song to creativity if you wish.”

“We wanted to give people everywhere the opportunity to experience the creative genius that makes this place tick, to get a taste of the artists, venues and other spaces that power the heart that beats beneath our soaring white sails.”

The result was the wonderful evocation of the song below:




Here is Nick Cave's view of the lyrics:

I wrote the song because Anita and I would argue at a constant pace and I would always tell her to unleash the dogs and burn the bridges as a way of saying you can say what you feel but forget the past and let's move forward. In an argument one always has to stand down until the other quits. This cleans off the slate. The first verse contemplates arguing all night long until one gives in and they embrace each other and start over. This was not one of my "dark" songs. I write what I feel and I was not feeling "dark". If you want "dark" then immerse yourself into murder ballads.

The comment can be found here.

Lyrics

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down.
We make a little history baby
Every time you come around.
Come loose your dogs upon me
And let your hair hang down.
You are a little mystery to me
Every time you come around.

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

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

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down.
We make a little history baby
Every time you come around.
Come loose your dogs upon me
And let your hair hang down.
You are a little mystery to me
Every time you come around