[Intro]
E|-----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------------|
G|------3-4-5---5^7--5--7----5--3--3--------3----------------|
D|---5---------------------------------3^5-------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------|

[Verse 1]
C                  G     F
Went to see the captain,
Adim7             C
Strangest I could find,
     E       F           Em
Laid my proposition down,
Dm             G
Laid it on the line.
                  F         C
I won't slave for beggar's pay,
Em                Dm
Likewise gold and jewels,
F                    C
But I would slave to learn the way
   G         F       C
To sink your ship of fools.

[Chorus]
         G          F     C
Ship of fools on a cruel sea,
        G           F        Am
Ship of fools sail away from me.
                            Adim7
It was later than I thought when I first believed you,
      Dm                G         F       C
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools.

[Verse 2]
C                   G        F
Saw your first ship sink and drown,
Adim7           C
From rockin' of the boat,
    E              F           Em
And all that could not sink or swim
Dm                  G
Was just left there to float.
                  F        C
I won't leave you drifting down,
Em                Dm
But whoa it makes me wild,
F                   C
With thirty years upon my head
   G        F       C
To have you call me child.

[Chorus]
         G          F     C
Ship of fools on a cruel sea,
        G           F        Am
Ship of fools sail away from me.
                            Adim7
It was later than I thought when I first believed you,
      Dm                G         F       C
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools.

[Verse 3]
C                 G        F
The bottles stand as empty,
Adim7               C
As they were filled before.
     E             F       Em
Time there was and plenty,
Dm                G
But from that cup no more.
                   F       C
Though I could not caution all,
Em                 Dm
I still might warn a few.
F                       C
Don't lend your hand to raise no flag,
 G      F       C
Atop no ship of fools.

[Chorus]
         G          F     C
Ship of fools on a cruel sea,
        G           F        Am
Ship of fools sail away from me.
                            Adim7
It was later than I thought when I first believed you,
      Dm                G         F       C
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools.

[Outro]
Am                          Adim7
It was later than I thought when I first believed you,
      Dm                G         F       C
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools.