Sitting On The Dock Of The Ba
Otis Redding Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sitting in the morning sun
I'll be sitting when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
And I watch 'em roll away again

Sitting on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay
Wasting time
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I had nothin to live for
And look like nothing's gonna come my way
So I'm just

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
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

Overall Meaning

sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting time.


Otis Redding's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" is a melancholic ballad that speaks to the realities of life, loneliness, and the search for a sense of belonging. Through the lyrics, the singer paints a vivid picture of himself, sitting on a dock in San Francisco Bay, watching the world pass him by. He is waiting for something, anything to come his way, but he is resigned to the fact that nothing might change. He is not in a hurry to get anywhere or do anything; he is content to just sit and watch life go by.


The song is a reflection of the state of mind of many people in the 1960s, a time when America was going through significant social and political changes. It speaks to the deep-seated loneliness, the feeling of displacement, and the search for a sense of identity that many people were grappling with. The singer is looking for meaning and purpose, but he is also aware that he might not find it.


Line by Line Meaning

Sitting in the morning sun
I am currently seated at the dock of the bay, basking in the warm early morning sunlight.


I'll be sitting when the evening comes
I plan to remain here until the evening arrives, continuing to observe the scenery and pass the time.


Watching the ships roll in
As I sit on the dock, I am observing the large boats and ships coming into the bay.


And I watch 'em roll away again
As the ships come into the bay, I also see them depart and continue on their journeys.


Watching the tide roll away
In addition to the boats and ships, I am also taking note of the movement of the ocean's tide.


I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay
My current location and activity is simply sitting on the dock of the bay, observing my surroundings.


Wasting time
Although I may appear to be doing nothing, I am passing the time without a particular purpose or plan.


I left my home in Georgia
I departed from my home in Georgia to travel to the city of San Francisco.


Headed for the 'Frisco bay
My destination is the bay near San Francisco, where I am currently situated.


'Cause I had nothin to live for
I made this journey without any clear direction or purpose and felt lost in life.


And look like nothing's gonna come my way
I have not had any luck or success in my travels or personal life so far.


Look like nothing's gonna change
I have a sense of hopelessness and feel as though my circumstances are unlikely to improve.


Everything still remains the same
Despite my best efforts, everything in my life and surroundings remains static and unchanging.


I can't do what ten people tell me to do
I am an independent person who cannot be easily swayed by the opinions or instructions of others.


So I guess I'll remain the same
As a result of my independence, I am resigned to maintaining my current personality and lifestyle.


Sittin' here resting my bones
I am physically tired and am taking a break from any strenuous activity by sitting on the dock.


And this loneliness won't leave me alone
Despite my surroundings, I still feel a sense of isolation and solitude which cannot be shaken.


It's two thousand miles I roamed
I have traveled a great distance of two thousand miles to reach my current location.


Just to make this dock my home
Despite the hardships and lack of progress, I have grown attached to this dock and consider it a temporary home.


Now, I'm just
Currently, my activity and focus remain to simply sit and observe the events of the day unfold around me.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE CROPPER, OTIS REDDING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@classicalmusic1175

This song was finished up in the studio just 3 days before Redding was killed in a plane crash. What a parting gift from the king of soul.

@timtime9167

That's why the last verse is whistling he was supposed to come back and add a verse.

@beaconlight4720

Overrated

@timtime9167

@@beaconlight4720 that's your perspective.

@TF58582

Dudes a legend👏🏼

@SassaFrass28

Yes - a parting gift from Otis after his shocking death - so melancholy yet so much strength & determination despite all

5 More Replies...

@iLLDREWMUSiC

My grandma use to play this song growing up... I remember waking up on Saturday mornings .. smelling good food being made & this song on full blast... Its 2018 now and she has dementia and doesn't even remember me....but soon as I play this song I remember the good times... I love you grandma....Thank you for all the knowledge you gave me.

@michellebeverley4388

Play this song for her. Music is very therapeutic for people with dementia.

@122biggscott

Heard people with dementia might recognize old songs. You should try playing it for her

@jeffjefferson218

please give her a kiss from me and tell her I love her...

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