Dock of the Bay
Dave & Sam Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes
Watching the ships roll in
Then I watch 'em roll away again
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the Frisco Bay
'Cause I've had nothing to live for
And looks like nothing's gonna come my way

Yeah I'm a-sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away
Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Looks like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
Well I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same

Sittin' here restin' my bones
This loneliness won't leave me alone
Two thousand miles I roamed
To make this Key West dock my home
Now I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away
Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Sitting on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away dear

Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

On this dock watchin' that Key West sunset

Wishin' I had you here by my side

Overall Meaning

The song Dock Of The Bay by Dave & Sam is a melancholic ballad about a man who has left his home in Georgia and has nothing to live for. He has made his way to San Francisco Bay and watches the ships roll in and out, feeling stuck and alone. The lyrics express a deep sense of loneliness as he sits on the dock and laments that nothing is going to change. He is resigned to his fate and reflects on his inability to conform and do what others expect of him.

The song paints a picture of a man who is lost in his thoughts and memories, trying to find meaning in his life while watching the time go by. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the sense of stagnation and the feeling of being stuck in one place with nothing to do. The final lines convey his deep longing for companionship, as he wishes for someone to share the beauty of the Key West sunset with.

Line by Line Meaning

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
Sitting under the sunlight in the early morning

I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes
Planning on sitting even when it becomes evening

Watching the ships roll in
Observing the arrival of ships

Then I watch 'em roll away again
Watching the ships leave again

I left my home in Georgia
Left my hometown Georgia

Headed for the Frisco Bay
Going towards San Francisco Bay

'Cause I've had nothing to live for
Left Georgia because I didn't have a purpose to live

And looks like nothing's gonna come my way
Even now, it seems like nothing good is going to happen

Yeah I'm a-sittin' on the dock of the bay
Currently occupying the dock by the bay

Watchin' the tide roll away
Observing the movement of water along with the tide

Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Still sitting on the bay's dock

Wastin' time
Passing time without a specific goal

Looks like nothing's gonna change
Seems like there won't be any changes to the situation

Everything still remains the same
Nothing different from what it was before

Well I can't do what ten people tell me to do
I can't follow instructions given by ten people

So I guess I'll remain the same
Hence, what I am doing presently will not change

Sittin' here restin' my bones
Sitting and relaxing my bones/muscles

This loneliness won't leave me alone
I'm constantly feeling lonely & sad

Two thousand miles I roamed
Travelled two thousand miles

To make this Key West dock my home
To settle at this dock in Key West and call it home

Now I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Currently still occupying the dock on the bay

Watchin' the tide roll away
Watching the movement of water due to the tide

Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Occupy the space on the same dock by the bay

Wastin' time
Passing time without purpose again

Sitting on the dock of the bay
Resting on the same dock again

Watchin' the tide roll away dear
Watching the tides while addressing someone as 'dear'

Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Still occupying the same spot on the dock

Wastin' time
Passing time without a specific aim once again

On this dock watchin' that Key West sunset
Sitting on this dock and enjoying the sunset in Key West

Wishin' I had you here by my side
Wanting you here with me on the dock by the bay

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steve Cropper, Otis Redding

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS