Barnacled Warship
Johnny Flynn Lyrics


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Gotta get out, gotta shout, gotta sing
Gotta dance, gotta jump, gotta run
Think I'll fight a war, I don't know what for
But I'll learn when I get my gun

Well, I left home three days ago
I feel like going to bed
Open the courts and a new religion
Burning through my head
Burning through my head

Made my way with the fusiliers
I even fought my way back home
But the front line shifted and my rifle got lifted
Had to fight the war on my own

Well, I left home three days ago
I feel like going to bed
Walking downtown gave me cold, cold fingers
And my feet were made of lead
My feet were made of lead

I'll just eat fruit on your doorstep
I'll just drink pailfuls of rain
I'm but a barnacled warship
Singing the fighter's refrain
Singing the fighter's

Made my way with the Salvation Army
Take them on with a tambourine
I'll strike down sinners like the old gunslingers
Smooth 'em out like margarine

Well, I left home three days ago
I feel like going to bed
Open the courts and a new religion
Burning through my head
Burning through my head

Went to the gambling shop today
They had me five to one
Heard a voice behind me say
Put down the Bible and pick up your gun

Well, I left home three days ago
I feel like going to bed
Water downtown gave me cold, cold fingers
And my feet were made of lead
My feet were made of lead

I'll just eat fruit on your doorstep
I'll just drink pailful's of rain
I'm but a barnacled warship




Singing the fighter's refrain
Singing the fighter's

Overall Meaning

The song "Barnacled Warship" by Johnny Flynn is a narrative of a soldier's experiences in wartime. The lyrics communicate an inner struggle of a soldier questioning their own motivations for fighting a war, acknowledging the intense discomfort, and grappling with their own beliefs. The repeated refrain of "I'll just eat fruit on your doorstep, I'll just drink pailful's of rain, I'm but a barnacled warship, singing the fighter's refrain" implies that the singer is resigned to their fate as a soldier but is still grappling with the reality of their situation.


The first verse, "Gotta get out, gotta shout, gotta sing / Gotta dance, gotta jump, gotta run / Think I'll fight a war, I don't know what for / But I'll learn when I get my gun" suggests that the singer is restless and feels a sense of duty to fight in a war, despite not fully understanding the reasons behind the conflict. The second and third verses recount the singer's experiences on the battlefield, including their time with the fusiliers and the Salvation Army. The fourth verse describes a harrowing encounter at a gambling shop, where the singer is encouraged to abandon their religious beliefs in favor of violence.


Overall, "Barnacled Warship" is a poignant commentary on the experience of soldiers at war, highlighting the internal conflict and confusion that can arise from fighting for a cause that may not be fully understood or believed in.


Line by Line Meaning

Gotta get out, gotta shout, gotta sing
I feel the urge to express myself, to be heard, to let my voice be heard.


Gotta dance, gotta jump, gotta run
I need to move, to feel free, to escape from the mundanity of life.


Think I'll fight a war, I don't know what for But I'll learn when I get my gun
I don't know what I'll fight for, but I'll figure out my reasons when I join the army and hold the weapon.


Well, I left home three days ago I feel like going to bed Open the courts and a new religion Burning through my head Burning through my head
I only left my home few days ago, but I'm so overwhelmed by the new experiences that I feel exhausted and restless as new ideas and thoughts flood my mind.


Made my way with the fusiliers I even fought my way back home But the front line shifted and my rifle got lifted Had to fight the war on my own
I was part of the army, fought battles, and made it back home, but the war kept changing and I lost my weapon. So, I had to fight alone to survive.


Walking downtown gave me cold, cold fingers And my feet were made of lead My feet were made of lead
As I walked around the city, my hands and feet felt numb, heavy, and drained of energy.


I'll just eat fruit on your doorstep I'll just drink pailfuls of rain I'm but a barnacled warship Singing the fighter's refrain Singing the fighter's
I'll come to your house and eat whatever's available. I'll drink rainwater from pails as I'm too tired to look for other sources. I am like a rusty old ship, worn out from war but still singing the song of a fighter.


Made my way with the Salvation Army Take them on with a tambourine I'll strike down sinners like the old gunslingers Smooth 'em out like margarine
I've joined the Salvation Army, and I'll fight, even if it's with a tambourine. I'll take down the evil-doers like the sharpshooters of the olden days and pacify them like butter flattening on bread.


Went to the gambling shop today They had me five to one Heard a voice behind me say Put down the Bible and pick up your gun
I got to the gambling house, and the odds were against me. Suddenly, a voice suggested I drop the holy book and grab a weapon instead.




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN PATRICK VIVIAN FLYNN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ryjtse

Ten years, I could have been listening to this for ten years.

@dondraper2488

I heard leftovers playing in a dream I was having.I had to look in my i tunes as I couldn't remember the artist's name....

@rhubarbpie3211

Same bro

@samsaraOne

holy crap. This kid is touched by the hand of god.

@minarl1490

I've been listening to this song since 2018 and I still think it's one of the best songs I've ever heard. <3

@cabs_

Late but Im glad I was recommended this masterpiece at 690k.

@HeatherStack-hmstack

Oh I absolutely love this song! I am utterly smitten with all things Johny Flynn. And what a fabulous animation. Remarkable.

@gardenkiddo8373

This is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. The instrumentals are immaculate and I just love it!

@stephharding8202

just found johnny flynn and i'm already in love with him!

@AgnesBodon

Me too!

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