Grace Slick Joins Crosby & Nash For Moving “Wooden Ships” Performance
YouTube Channel (MyyyTunes5)
Gliding Across The Water
Written in 1968, “Wooden Ships” functioned and thrived as a Vietnam anthem with lyrics that confront the horrors of war in comparison to the simplicity and serenity of a ship gliding on the water.
Interesting Quote: “Written in the main cabin of my boat, the Mayan. I had the music already [and Jefferson Airplane’s] Paul Kanter wrote 2 verses, Stephen wrote one and I added the bits at both ends.” – David Crosby
Behind the lyric “Say can I have some of your purple berries? Yes, I’ve been eating them for six or seven weeks now haven’t got sick once,” the two incredible songwriters and performers display a vulnerability between the opposing sides experiencing the awful effects of the war. Although there were several interpretations of this song in the 60’s, Crosby wanted to portray the struggle people felt and lived in these hard times.
With the deep words, haunting melody and stunning voices attached in this performance, fans are able to see a completely different and calmer side to the one and only Grace Slick. Serenading the crowd gently together, Crosby, Slick and Nash are absolutely intoxicating in this performance of unforgettable war song, “Wooden Ships.” Enjoy!
+ Wooden Ships Lyrics +
If you smile at me I will understand
‘Cause that is something
Everybody everywhere does in the same language
I can see by your coat, my friend you’re from the other side
There’s just one thing I got to know
Can you tell me please who won?
Say can I have some of your purple berries?
Yes, I’ve been eating them
For six or seven weeks now haven’t got sick once
Probably keep us both alive
Wooden ships on the water very free and easy
Easy, you know the way it’s supposed to be
Silver people on the shoreline let us be
Talkin’ ’bout very free and easy
Horror grips us as we watch you die
All we can do is echo your anguished cries
Stare as all human feelings die
We are leaving, you don’t need us
Go take your sister then by the hand
Lead her away from this foreign land
Far away where we might laugh again
We are leaving, you don’t need us
And it’s a fair wind
Blowin’ warm out of the south over my shoulder
Guess I’ll set a course and go