Dock of the Bay
The King 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" is a melancholic hymn, with a catchy and unforgettable melody, that invites introspection and self-reflection. The opening lines present the singer sitting on the dock of the bay, in the morning sun, and contemplating the coming and going of the ships, a metaphor for the transient nature of life. The singer is watching the tide roll away, seemingly without care or hurry, in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the world around him. The phrase "wasting time" could be interpreted as a reflexion on the futility of existence or as a conscious decision to slow down and appreciate the present moment.


The second verse provides some background to the singer's situation. He had left his home in Georgia, heading to San Francisco, with no expectations or aspirations. He had nothing to live for, and his life seems to have no direction or purpose. This feeling is amplified by the chorus, where he repeats the sense of being stuck in a situation, where everything seems to remain the same, and he cannot do anything about it.


The final verse is a reflection on his journey towards the dock of the bay. The singer has wandered two thousand miles, a long and lonely journey, to arrive at a place where he feels he belongs. He has found solace in the simplicity and beauty of the natural world. The song ends, as it began, with the singer sitting on the dock, watching the tide roll away, repeating the refrain "wasting time," suggesting that he has found comfort in the stillness and emptiness of his surroundings.


Line by Line Meaning

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I am sitting and basking in the warmth of the morning sun


I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
I will still be sitting when the sun sets in the evening


Watching the ships roll in
I am observing the ships coming into the harbor


And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah
I am also watching the ships leaving the harbor again


I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
I am sitting on the deck by the shoreline


Watching the tide roll away
I am gazing at the movement of the waves


Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
I am simply seated here on the deck of the harbor


Wastin' time
I am using up my time doing nothing useful or productive


I left my home in Georgia
I departed from my place of origin, Georgia


Headed for the 'Frisco bay
I was moving towards the San Francisco Bay


'Cause I've had nothing to live for
I was feeling aimless and had lost my purpose in life


And look like nothin's gonna come my way
I feel like I have no future prospects or opportunities


So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
I have decided to sit on the harbor deck and do nothing


Watching the tide roll away
I am looking at the movement of the waves


Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
I am just resting here on the shoreline deck


Wastin' time
I am not making good use of my time


Look like nothing's gonna change
It seems like nothing is going to improve or alter my situation


Everything still remains the same
Everything around me remains unchanged


I can't do what ten people tell me to do
I am not willing to be controlled or influenced by the advice of many people


So I guess I'll remain the same, yes
Therefore, I think I will continue behaving and thinking as I currently do


Sittin' here resting my bones
I am taking a break and relaxing my body


And this loneliness won't leave me alone
Despite being alone, I cannot escape this feeling of loneliness


It's two thousand miles I roamed
I traveled a great distance of two thousand miles to get here


Just to make this dock my home
However, I feel content to make this harbor deck my new abode


Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
At present, I plan to remain seated on this harbor deck


Watching the tide roll away
I am observing the movement of the waves


Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay
I am still sitting here leisurely on the shoreline deck


Wastin' time
Unfortunately, I am still squandering my time with nothing significant to do




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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