The Ship Song

Trust me #9

On Sunday 26th January I attended a beautiful Scots/Burns/Australian event to mark Burns Birthday and Australian Day. The host, an Aussie, Professor Andrew Biankin, opened the doors to his wonderful home and invited colleagues and friends round for an afternoon of poetry and song, all to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Scotland - the charity I work for.

The talent on display was truly awesome, but one song stood out in particular for me towards the end of the evening, a beautiful rendition of Nick Cave's The Ship Song.

Cave is an artist I have seen live, but I haven't properly dug into his extensive back catalogue or his recent critically acclaimed albums. That might change. Maybe I'm ready for him now.

The Ship Song is so beautiful, so heartfelt, so perfect. The delivery and performance is simply stunning, enhancing the poetic words.

Trust me, if you haven't heard this (or even if you have) then sit back and enjoy.

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 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 tumblin 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 night

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

Your are a little mystery to me

Every time you come around

Words and music by Nick Cave

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland