Just like a ship on the ocean you roll
From side to side having a ball
But when it comes to the end of the day
You will lay down at the dock of the bay

So you can't be what you are
And you can't be what you were
A ship on the ocean at night
A ship on the ocean allright
Allright

Just like a swan on the ocean you're lost
When you swim to far from the coast
And when it's time for a simple goodbye
You're a madonna winkin' the eye

So you can't be what you are
And you can't be what you were
A ship on the ocean at night
A ship on the ocean allright
Allright

The anchor's up in the harbour night
Aboard the ship a dining's delight
it will go on into history
The steaming ghost plowing the sea

So you can't trample ay ay
You are the cat with the mystic eye
A ghost ship haunting the men
That can't forget not then or not when

You can't be what you are
You can't be what you were
A ship on the ocean at night
A ship on the ocean allright
Allright