Sleek, swift, streamlined ship,

shield-clad and shining,

tell to me the tale of your trip

when the limpest of men were your lining

O I know you were a ship of fools

O I know you were a ship of fools

You tried to take them to new trade

but they were afraid to follow.

Land-lubbers of the lowest grade

their hearts and their heads were both hollow

O I know you were a ship of fools

O I know you were a ship of fools

But your form is far-out, framed by foam:

a cloven-crocodile.

Whale's-highway is your home

Swan's-Riding is your style.

Fine-finned, shaped like a shark

the wind awaits your awaking.

Designed for delving into the dark

of mysteries in the making

O I know you were a ship of fools

O I know you were a ship of fools

A ship of fools

ship of fools

you were a ship of fools.