Words David Crosby; Lyrics Craig Doerge

copyright 1977 Staysail Music, BMI/Fair Star
Music, Inc., ASCAP.

Oh, captain, what are we hiding from?

You've been hiding from the start.

Did some lover steal your heart,

Or did the full moon make you mad?

Oh, captain, why these speechless seas

That never seem to land?

Oh I need to understand.

Could a little light be that bad?

I can see your hands are roughened

By the wheel and the rope.

I'd like to look to you for hope,

I think it's hiding there.

This boat is blacked out like a city

Awaiting bombers in the night.

Oh you hold your helm so tight,

And yet the sky seems so fair.

Who guides this ship

Dreaming through the seas

Turning and searching,

Whichever way you please?

Speak to me, I need to see your face,

Shadowy captain, in a darkened space.

If I were to spy a city

Floating just above the sea,

Could we stop

And look for me

Among those playing on the pier?

Or would you turn away knowing,

It was still a ways away,

And if I was there today

you could not see me all that clear.

Shadowy captain of a charcoal ship,

Trying to give the light the slip.

Crosby, Stills, Nash - Vocals

Stephen Stills - Electric and Slide Guitar

Craig Doerge - Acoustic and Electric Piano

Russ Kunkel - Drums, Congas

George Perry - Bass

Joe Vitale - Organ, Flute