Verse
I live in a big empty house
Dream of dead animals in the night
On postcards from a friend
Who has lost all his sight
​
Pre-chorus
He tells me who I was
Someone other than I'd thought
​
Chorus
You're a captain in the docks
Who has no ship to sail
No land for you to claim
A captain in the docks you are
A captain in the docks
​
Verse
Don't set anchor off the coast
Need no steersman to go on shore
Got to run the keel aground
Slack jaw to the fore
​
Pre-chorus
Tells me who I am not
No gunner, nobody's slave
​
Chorus
You're a captain in the docks
Who has no ship to sail
No land for you to claim
A captain in the docks you are
A captain in the docks
​
Bridge
I think I'll write a letter
My faithful friend to you
Dogs and mad chicken in my house
Ask me 'And you are who?'
​
Pre-chorus
Remind me who I am
No Johnny-come-lately, no, no
​
Chorus
You're a captain in the docks
Who has no ship to sail
No land for you to claim
A captain in the docks you are
A captain in the docks
​
Chorus
Aye captain, you are in the docks
Aye captain, aye captain
You are in the docks