Dock of the Bay
Michael Coleman Lyrics


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Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothin's gonna come my way

So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

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

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home

Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away




Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Overall Meaning

The song "Dock of the Bay" by Michael Coleman is a soulful ballad about being lost and at a crossroads in life. The singer is sitting on a dock in San Francisco Bay, watching the tide roll in and out, and wiling away his time with no direction or purpose. The singer has left his home in Georgia and headed for San Francisco, feeling like he has nothing to live for and that nothing is going to come his way. He's stuck, lost, and unsure of what to do next.


The repeated phrase "watching the tide roll away" is a poignant metaphor for how the singer feels about his life – stuck and uncertain, buffeted by forces outside of his control. The singer resigns himself to being at the mercy of fate, unable to change his circumstances or make his own way. The song is a bittersweet reflection on the challenges of coming of age and trying to find one's place in the world.


Overall, "Dock of the Bay" is a moving and deeply insightful meditation on the human condition. Through its beautiful lyrics and soulful melody, the song evokes feelings of melancholy, longing, and hope.


Line by Line Meaning

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I am sitting on the dock early in the morning


I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
I'll still be sitting there in the evening


Watching the ships roll in
I'm observing as ships come into the bay


And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah
And then I watch those ships move away from me again


I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
I am sitting on the dock looking out to the bay


Watching the tide roll away
I am observing the movement of the bay's water


Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
I'm simply sitting here, overlooking the bay


Wastin' time
I am not using my time wisely


I left my home in Georgia
I left the place I called home in Georgia


Headed for the 'Frisco bay
I'm going towards San Francisco Bay


'Cause I've had nothing to live for
Because I have no motivation to continue living


And look like nothin's gonna come my way
It seems like nothing good will happen to me


So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
I'm just going to sit here, doing nothing


Lookin' at the tide roll away
Observing the motion of the water


Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
I'm sitting here, overlooking the bay


Wastin' time
I am not using my time wisely


Look like nothing's gonna change
It seems like nothing will be different


Everything still remains the same
All things remain unchanged


I can't do what ten people tell me to do
I'm incapable of following orders from ten different people


So I guess I'll remain the same, yes
I suppose I'll just continue being who I am


Sittin' here resting my bones
I am relaxed, taking some rest


And this loneliness won't leave me alone
I keep feeling lonely and it won't go away


It's two thousand miles I roamed
I travelled far, covering a distance of 2000 miles


Just to make this dock my home
I came all this way just to live by this dock


Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
I'll continue to sit here by the bay


Watching the tide roll away
Observing the movement of the water


Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay
I am simply relaxing here, by the bay


Wastin' time
Not using time productively




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Tamma67

You made my hair stand on end! I take off my hat ...... Fuck that version .. !! How Michael Coleman's guitar sounds !! Thank you brother for these moments !!! Aaaaauuuuuuuu !!!

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