Three Boats Down From The Candy
Marillion Lyrics


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Three boats down from the candy, vacant deckchairs on a floodlit beach
Three boats down from the candy, rollers coast invade the deepest sleep
Three boats down from the candy, carnal dancer let their senses preach
It's a social disease, it's the new moral cancer

Don't think crying wolf will give you the answer
You ask for my love on the strength of a kiss
But can't you just play for experience?
I'm a poet, I'm a poet, I'm a minstrel, I'm a minstrel

I don't need your chains
Romance lies in ruin let debauchery reign, let it rain
Wipe the tears from your eyes, wipe the sweat from your thighs
Don't crawl to me with sentiment, my laughter drowns your cries

You're a memory trapped on Polaroid, a puppet drawn on celluloid
So drink the wine, confess your sin, just flotsam in a silent void
Three boats down from the candy
I'll remember you

Three boats down from the candy, much to much to lose
Three boats down from the candy, those words were never true
Three boats down from the candy
I'll remember you





I'll remember you
I'll remember you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Three Boats Down From The Candy" by Marillion describe a scene of excess and indulgence, with empty deckchairs on a floodlit beach and carnal dancers preaching to the senses. The repetition of the phrase "three boats down from the candy" reinforces this image of an overstimulated, almost sickly sweet environment, while the line "It's a social disease, it's the new moral cancer" suggests a critique of this way of life. The singer seems to reject this world, declaring "I don't need your chains" and urging the listener not to "crawl to me with sentiment". Instead, they describe themselves as a poet and a minstrel, suggesting a focus on art and creativity as a way to escape this environment.


However, there are also elements of sadness and longing in the lyrics. The line "You ask for my love on the strength of a kiss / But can't you just play for experience?" implies a deep desire for real connection and emotional intimacy, rather than just surface-level pleasure-seeking. The reference to a memory trapped on Polaroid and a puppet drawn on celluloid suggests a sense of being trapped or stuck in the past, unable to move on. Ultimately, the song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer saying "I'll remember you" three times, as if trying to hold onto something fleeting and transitory.


Overall, the lyrics of "Three Boats Down From The Candy" paint a vivid picture of a world of excess and indulgence, but also suggest a yearning for something deeper and more meaningful. The repeated refrain of "I'll remember you" adds an extra layer of poignancy to the song, creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy.


Line by Line Meaning

Three boats down from the candy, vacant deckchairs on a floodlit beach
The scene is set at a beach with a lot of light, few people around, and the sound of waves crashing in the background.


Three boats down from the candy, rollers coast invade the deepest sleep
The sound of waves is so intense that it’s difficult to fall asleep.


Three boats down from the candy, carnal dancer let their senses preach
The singer is observing that people on the beach are enjoying the pleasures of life in a sensual way.


It's a social disease, it's the new moral cancer
The singer is making a commentary on the behavior he’s observing, and is stating that it’s a bad influence on society.


Don't think crying wolf will give you the answer
The singer is warning that misleading others will not lead to true solutions.


You ask for my love on the strength of a kiss
Someone is asking the singer for love after just kissing them, expecting more without putting in effort.


But can't you just play for experience?
The singer advises that it would be better to enjoy each other's company without any expectations, as they both have much to learn.


I'm a poet, I'm a poet, I'm a minstrel, I'm a minstrel
The singer is introducing themselves, and their art.


I don't need your chains
The singer is asserting their independence and not wanting to be controlled by someone else's expectations.


Romance lies in ruin let debauchery reign, let it rain
The singer is advocating for embracing excess and letting go of romantic ideals.


Wipe the tears from your eyes, wipe the sweat from your thighs
The singer is telling someone to clean themselves up and get over it.


Don't crawl to me with sentiment, my laughter drowns your cries
The singer doesn't want someone to come crying to them, because they won't be taken seriously.


You're a memory trapped on Polaroid, a puppet drawn on celluloid
The person is a memory captured in a photograph, an artificial image that lacks substance.


So drink the wine, confess your sin, just flotsam in a silent void
The singer is telling the listener to indulge in the physical pleasures of life, because ultimately they are inconsequential in the grand scheme.


Three boats down from the candy
The refrain repeats to reinforce the location and setting of the song.


I'll remember you
The singer promises to remember someone, possibly in a negative light.


Three boats down from the candy, much to much to lose
The scene is still set at the beach, but now with the addition of the high stakes of the situation.


Three boats down from the candy, those words were never true
The singer is reminding someone that the things they promised were all lies.


I'll remember you
The refrain repeats a final time, reinforcing the singer's promise to remember.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEREK WILLIAM DICK, MARK KELLY, DIZ MINNETT, MICHAEL JAMES POINTER, STEVE ROTHERY, PETE TREWAVAS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@michelmasse4712

The best Poet off all time. Thanks for all the nice Lyrics. Love you FISH

@yone1968

I absolutely agree with you Michel 👍👍👍

@richardhoyle3440

You can,t put a price on Fish.s haunting melodic voice!

@stevieblueboy2748

Yes indeed

@aaabbb-pb4fw

one of the most melodic solos...fantastic..

@cheeseandonions9558

I love how Fish sings these songs as though he was spitting with disgust...

@volkerstahl6640

Roller gefahren .... das Lied im Kopf gehabt .... ❤

@VolovskyMichael

One of the most exciting Marillion piece for my upinion

@matt004474

Love this song.

@andreagrillini4052

Hi Stephan! ;-)
MARILLION THE FISH YEARS - FACEBOOK - All the best Freaks are here!

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