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