Ships On The Ocean
Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band Lyrics


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Oh this ship is made of paper
Alone, alone I sail the seven seas
Call my mama more oneday [?]
Alone, alone it′s nothing I wouldn't do for you
Lord there′s nothing in this world, baby (oh! ow!)
I wouldn't do for you

If a shark bit off both my legs
You know that seamen on land turn to sand (ha ha, ooohwee baby)
Oh, turn my poor self over
And crawl home to you on my hands
(Somebody better come here I suspect baby)
Lord, there ain't nothing in this world, baby (hmmmmm)
I wouldn′t do for you

Pickup on this, pickup baby, pickup, pickup — this the blues, y′hear?

Lookee here baby
Mmmmm uunnnh, mmmm, uh, uh, unnnnnnh
Oh! Lord have mercy baby
Yeah yeah yeah yah ah, ahummmm
You take me home this morning




And make my long house turn up [?]
On my head

Overall Meaning

The song "Ships on the Ocean" by Junior Wells & Chicago Blues Band is a classic blues song that is focused on the theme of love, commitment, and dedication. The lyrics of the song paint a vivid picture of a sailor who is alone on a ship, sailing the seven seas. The sailor is so committed to the person he loves that he feels that he would do anything for them, even sail on a paper ship. The song begins with the artist singing, "Oh this ship is made of paper, alone, alone I sail the seven seas, call my mama more oneday, alone, alone it's nothing I wouldn't do for you."


The sailor is so committed that he would go through any obstacle to keep his love for his partner alive. This is shown as the lyrics progress, "If a shark bit off both my legs, you know that seamen on land turn to sand, oh, turn my poor self over and crawl home to you on my hands." The sailor is willing to come back crawling to keep his love alive. Finally, the song ends with the artist singing, "you take me home this morning and make my long house turn up on my head." This is a reference to the sailor's wedding, where the artist is asking his partner to take him home and make his life an inexplicable joy.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh this ship is made of paper
This boat is fragile and could easily be destroyed


Alone, alone I sail the seven seas
I am all by myself on this journey across the world's oceans


Call my mama more oneday [?]
I wish I could contact my mother while I'm out at sea


Alone, alone it's nothing I wouldn't do for you
I am willing to do anything for your love, even if it means being alone on the ocean


Lord there's nothing in this world, baby (oh! ow!) I wouldn't do for you
I love you so much that I would do anything for you, even if it means sacrificing everything I have


If a shark bit off both my legs
Even if I lost everything, I would still love you


You know that seamen on land turn to sand (ha ha, ooohwee baby)
Being at sea is better than being ashore and heartbroken


Oh, turn my poor self over
If something terrible happens to me, I would still find my way back to you


And crawl home to you on my hands (Somebody better come here I suspect baby)
I would do whatever it takes to make it back home to you, even if it meant crawling on my hands and knees


Lord, there ain't nothing in this world, baby (hmmmmm) I wouldn′t do for you
I am devoted to you and would never stop loving you or doing everything in my power to make you happy


Pickup on this, pickup baby, pickup, pickup — this the blues, y′hear?
Listen closely, because this is blues music


Lookee here baby Mmmmm uunnnh, mmmm, uh, uh, unnnnnnh
Hey, listen to me, I have something important to say


Oh! Lord have mercy baby Yeah yeah yeah yah ah, ahummmm
I am in awe of your beauty and grace


You take me home this morning And make my long house turn up [?] On my head
If you take me home, I will be so overjoyed that I'll be dancing and celebrating all day long




Writer(s): Junior Wells

Contributed by Julia P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@michaelmunger8120

This song makes you want to sit down close your eyes tap your feet this is what the blues is all about

@adriancrow1143

THAT'S WHAT I CALL "FUCKING GREAT MUSIC"

@suranakshay

This blues hit me so hard

@valadhruvaraj97

I think this song made this movie iconic🖤🖤🖤love it

@Riosmoove122

I don't understand how you dislike this song

@andreslopezadame7876

I think that is the best song in the world jajaja
And in the movie is so special, I don't know, I like

@paballomolata3180

Damn this song gives me the feels

@tehpwn3dlife

this is sick, best track i've heard since i've discovered canned heat and peps persson

@amiHolland

Pls tell me, HOW GOOD is THIS? My vains are vibrating ....

@ericatyler3787

gives me chills im 33 and love the ole blues

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