anonymous July 16th, 2009 12:37AM  
Not sure exactly with this one. I have read it is about Jerry's heroin addiction. I have also read it is about the band's overall problems including drugs, drinking and women. Either way the "ship of fool's" is something negative that was not taken care of promptly.. likely addiction. "it was later than I thought when I first believed you.. now I cannot share your laughter ship of fools." Ship of fools most likely being the ignorance that goes with not wanting to believe you have a problem and everyone encouraging your problem; hence making them and you a fool. "I cannot share your laughter" meaning you can no longer participate in the "fools" activities and that it's no longer fun for you...goes with heroin addiction no longer being about having fun but continuing b/c of the withdrawals. "but I would slave the way to sing your ship of fools." I believe this means that he is looking desperately for a way to displace himself from the "fools". "saw your first ship sink and drown from rocking of the boat and all that could not sink or swim was just left there to float." Maybe referring to the "rocking of the boat" as doing too much and realizing it. "all that could not sink or swim just left there to float". Maybe referring to everything in his life that he didn't ruin hence "sink" and everything that he did not move forward in bc of his addiction "swim". "just left there to float" refers to the times when he didn't do nothing...probably his high and dope sick times. A statement like "just...to float" refers to lack of control and motivation to do anything...negative "sink" or positive "swim". When your high or going through withdrawal you feel like you are just floating through life with little control or ability to "steer" in one direction or the other. You are in a since giving the drug control "current" in your life.

outrage.... March 7th, 2010 12:49AM  
the "Fools" are the Establishment. The Dead veiled their politics well but this is commentary on the politicians f'ing up the country. Funny, how some things never change...