Song Description

A protest, anti-war song written in 1971.

Lyrics

Captain Tell Me (July 1971)

Em D C
D D7 C Em D

(verse 1)

Captain tell me what do you see? As the ships go sailing by.
Captain tell me what do you feel? As you watch your crewmen die.
Iv'e noticed you've been standing here a long time,
Watching cannonballs go by.
And do you die, inside?

(verse 2)

Captain tell me what do you hear, as your men scream out in pain?
Captain tell me are your ears, turned off to their sad refrain?
I've noticed you've been standing here a long time,
Watching friends and fellows die.
And do you die inside?

(Bridge)

How does the steel feel? Do you die?
How does the steel feel? Do you cry? Do you cry?

(verse 3)

Captain tell me are you dead? As you fall from the bridge.
What thoughts are dying in your head? How does it feel to be hit?
Iv'e noticed you've been lying here a long time,
Watching nothing in the sky.
And do you die inside?

(verse 4)

Captain tell me where are you? There is no answer to my call.
Captain tell me how to break the news? To your family of your fall.
Iv'e noticed they've been standing here a long time, tears are glistening in their eyes.
And do they die, inside?