The Crystal Ship
The Doors Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Before you slip into unconsciousness
I'd like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss

The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane


We'll meet again, we'll meet again

Oh tell me where your freedom lies
The streets are fields that never die
Deliver me from reasons why
You'd rather cry, I'd rather fly

The crystal ship is being filled
A thousand girls, a thousand thrills

A million ways to spend your time
When we get back, I'll drop a line

Overall Meaning

The lyrics "Before you slip into unconsciousness, I'd like to have another kiss; Another flashing chance at bliss, Another kiss, another kiss" could be interpreted as a desperate plea to not let go of a love that is slipping away. The speaker is asking for one final moment of passion before their significant other fades away forever. The repetition of "another kiss" emphasizes his desire to keep the moment alive and not lose it forever.


The second stanza, "The days are bright and filled with pain; Enclose me in your gentle rain; The time you ran was too insane; We'll meet again, we'll meet again," expounds on the intense emotions the speaker is feeling. The days are bright, but they are also filled with pain, which is why he desires the comfort of his lover's embrace. In the past, he's lost his lover, but they will meet again. There is hope in the reunion, but there is also a sense that this love is tumultuous and possibly unhealthy.


The final stanza, "Oh tell me where your freedom lies; The streets are fields that never die; Deliver me from reasons why; You'd rather cry, I'd rather fly; The crystal ship is being filled; A thousand girls, a thousand thrills; A million ways to spend your time; When we get back, I'll drop a line," is more cryptic in meaning. It seems as though the speaker is begging for his lover to choose him, to tell him where she wants to be free. He doesn't want to hear the reasons why she would rather cry than be with him. Instead, he wants to fly away with her on the "crystal ship," which could represent their love or a metaphor for drugs. The final lines seem to suggest that there are countless distractions and ways to spend time, but when they return, he will be in touch.


Line by Line Meaning

Before you slip into unconsciousness
Just before you lose consciousness


I'd like to have another kiss
I want to share another moment of love and intimacy


Another flashing chance at bliss
Another opportunity to experience pure happiness


Another kiss, another kiss
We should share more moments of love and affection


The days are bright and filled with pain
The world is full of beauty and happiness, but also sadness and suffering


Enclose me in your gentle rain
Surround me with your comforting presence and love


The time you ran was too insane
The past actions you took were crazy and unwise


We'll meet again, we'll meet again
We will see each other again in another life or moment


Oh tell me where your freedom lies
Please tell me what makes you feel free


The streets are fields that never die
The urban environment is always full of life and energy


Deliver me from reasons why
Help me escape from the complexity of the world


You'd rather cry, I'd rather fly
You would rather be sad and feel trapped, while I would rather be free and happy


The crystal ship is being filled
This new experience or moment is being created and enjoyed


A thousand girls, a thousand thrills
There are many opportunities for pleasure and excitement


A million ways to spend your time
There are countless activities and opportunities to enjoy life


When we get back, I'll drop a line
When we return to reality or the normal world, I will contact you




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Ray Manzarek, James Morrison, Robby Krieger, John Densmore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

davedevir8

[Verse 1]
Before you slip into unconsciousness
I'd like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss

[Verse 2]
The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane
We'll meet again, we'll meet again

[Verse 3]
Oh tell me where your freedom lies
The streets are fields that never die
Deliver me from reasons why
You'd rather cry, I'd rather fly

[Verse 4]
The crystal ship is being filled
A thousand girls, a thousand thrills
A million ways to spend your time
When we get back, I'll drop a line



CxC

Yes, but the track is inappropriately too short.

This song has all the makings of an epic feature track… not a radio hit. Most bands would kill to have this as their signature song, their “Stairway to Heaven” type song.

It should last 7 minutes.

This song puts me on a Crystal Ship (what incredible imagery), but the trip ends before leaving port.

WTF?

The problem Doors had was that they had no room on their landmark debut album. So they should have made it longer and pushed this onto the next album.



All comments from YouTube:

Ndnd1995 Navarro

My father was a huge doors fan and unfortunately he was diabetic and had renal failure that ultimately caused him to pass and we played this song at his funeral. It was a a very beautiful moment. Love you dad. Music really was his friend. Until the end.

peter armoton

this song will also playing in my own funeral

tiffany Willows

Beautiful comment man. You did your dad a great service and justice. My salutes and farewells to him sir...

Bcblues

I’m very sorry for your loss, diabetes is horrible. I know because my ex-husband has it.

Diane Sorenson

Sorry for your loss man. May the four winds blow and the crystal ship carry his kind spirit away into the gentle rays of the pristine sunset my kind friend. I have diabetes too but no complications YET ..and I can know diabetes WITH complications is NO JOKE. Your pops is in a better place now. No pain and no physical problems now. PEACE MY DEAR FRIEND....❤

markfromct2

If he was going with Pamela Courson when he wrote this? "Before you slip into unconsciousness I'd like to have another kiss" sounds like he was calling out to her after she did a fix. Maybe it was a premonition

102 More Replies...

Rusty Calvera

I never get tired of this hauntingly beautiful song. It puts me in a warm and lonely place.

J W

"Take it easy, Rusty" (from National Lampoons Vacation). Rusty downing that beer is one of movies best moments!

RockaFella

This has got to be one of the best songs ever written.

markfromct2

One of the greatest Doors tracks...agreed Mr Rocka

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