Crimson Ship
Badfinger Lyrics


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My life was colored, painting pictures out of tune
You came from nowhere in a song
It might have been the way I laughed, he made the jokes
Could only show me what was wrong

He took me flying on his crimson ship
He never left me his number
He took me flying on his crimson ship
Then he was gone and I wondered

Who put the knots on all the crosses on the hill?
Why did the old man wash his hands?
Who grew the flower that was big enough to kill?
And blew the trumpet in the van, a-an

He took me flying on his crimson ship
He never left me his number
He took me flying on his crimson ship
Then he was gone and I wondered
Oh-oh, oh-oh

When they were busy throwing kisses at the moon
A father lost his mother's son
And though they knew the resurrection would be soon
The time was spent, they carried on, o-on

He took me flying on his crimson ship
He never left me his number
He took me flying on his crimson ship
Then he was gone and I wondered





Wondered wondered wondered

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Badfinger's song "Crimson Ship" are filled with vivid imagery and mysterious allusions. The singer describes his life as being "colored," suggesting that it was filled with chaos and disarray. However, he finds solace in the company of a mysterious stranger who appears "from nowhere in a song." This stranger has a sense of humor that resonates with the singer and makes him feel better. However, the stranger is elusive and doesn't leave his phone number. The two take flight on a "crimson ship," raising the question of whether this is a real ship or a metaphorical one. The ship and the stranger disappear, leaving the singer feeling adrift and wondering where he belongs.


The lyrics take on a more enigmatic tone in the second verse, as the singer ponders existential questions about faith and mortality. He wonders who put the "knots on all the crosses on the hill" and why an old man washed his hands. He also refers to a flower that was "big enough to kill" and someone who played a trumpet in a van. These references are difficult to decipher, but they suggest a sense of unease and confusion about the world around the singer. The final verse references a loss of a mother's son and the promise of resurrection, but the singer seems to suggest that time is running out and that people are carrying on as if nothing has happened.


Overall, the lyrics of "Crimson Ship" suggest a search for meaning and connection in a world that can be confusing and disorienting. The stranger on the crimson ship represents a source of comfort and beauty, but ultimately disappears, leaving the singer with more questions than answers.


Line by Line Meaning

My life was colored, painting pictures out of tune
Life was chaotic and nothing seemed to fit together properly.


You came from nowhere in a song
Someone unexpected entered my life.


It might have been the way I laughed, he made the jokes
I was attracted to someone's sense of humor.


Could only show me what was wrong
Despite the attraction, the relationship was flawed and unhealthy.


He took me flying on his crimson ship
He took me on a journey with him, although it was unclear where we were going.


He never left me his number
After the journey, he disappeared without any way to contact him again.


Then he was gone and I wondered
I was left wondering about what happened, and why he left without a trace.


Who put the knots on all the crosses on the hill?
Questioning the origins of religious symbols and practices.


Why did the old man wash his hands?
Pondering the motives and actions of the elderly.


Who grew the flower that was big enough to kill?
Wondering about the power and danger of nature.


And blew the trumpet in the van, a-an
A seemingly random and confusing addition, possibly indicating a sense of chaos or confusion.


When they were busy throwing kisses at the moon
When others were preoccupied with frivolous pursuits.


A father lost his mother's son
A family suffered a tragic loss.


And though they knew the resurrection would be soon
Despite the promise of a brighter future, they were still in the midst of grief and sadness.


The time was spent, they carried on, o-on
Despite the hardships, they persevered and continued forward.


Wondered wondered wondered
Reiterating the sense of confusion and uncertainty felt throughout the song.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PETER WILLIAM HAM, MIKE GIBBINS, TOM EVANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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