Lyrics
We sail tonight for Singapore
We are setting sail for Singapore tonight.
We're all as mad as hatters here
The people on this journey are all eccentric or crazy.
I've fallen for a tawny moor
The speaker has fallen in love with a person of Indian descent.
Took off to the land of nod
Escaped to the world of dreams or sleep.
Drank with all the Chinamen
Shared drinks with Chinese individuals.
Walked the sewers of Paris
Explored the underground passages of Paris.
I danced along a colored wind
Danced freely, perhaps symbolizing a carefree spirit.
Dangled from a rope of sand
Faced a precarious or unstable situation.
You must say goodbye to me
A farewell is necessary.
We sail tonight for Singapore
Reiteration of the journey to Singapore.
Don't fall asleep while you're ashore
Caution not to fall asleep while ashore, indicating danger.
Cross your heart and hope to die
Pledge to remain faithful and keep a promise.
When you hear the children cry
A call to pay attention when children are in distress.
Let marrow bone and cleaver choose
Metaphorical reference to making sacrifices for children's well-being.
While making feet for children's shoes
Implied hardship and labor for the sake of children.
Through the alley, back from hell
Navigating through a challenging or dangerous path.
When you hear that steeple bell
An indication of approaching danger or warning.
You must say goodbye to me
Reiteration of the necessity to bid farewell.
Wipe him down with gasoline
Using gasoline to toughen someone, possibly for survival.
Till his arms are hard and mean
Making someone resilient and strong.
From now on boys this iron boat's your home
Declaration that an iron boat is now the sailors' home.
So heave away, boys
A call to start the journey, possibly involving hard work.
We sail tonight for Singapore
Reiteration of setting sail for Singapore.
Take your blankets from the floor
Preparing for the journey by packing blankets.
Wash your mouth out by the door
Ensuring cleanliness before departure.
The whole town's made of iron ore
Describing the town as tough and unyielding.
Every witness turns to steam
Witnesses turning to steam suggests intense or challenging situations.
They all become Italian dreams
Reference to dreams taking an Italian, perhaps chaotic or surreal, turn.
Fill your pockets up with earth
Symbolic act of taking something valuable for the journey.
Get yourself a dollar's worth
Suggestion to acquire something useful for survival.
Away boys, away boys, heave away
A call to action, possibly involving strenuous effort.
The captain is a one-armed dwarf
Description of the captain as physically impaired, adding an element of unpredictability.
He's throwing dice along the wharf
Depiction of the captain engaging in a game of chance.
In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king
A reflection on relative strength and leadership.
So take this ring
Receiving a symbolic ring, possibly indicating a commitment or responsibility.
We sail tonight for Singapore
Repetition of the earlier lines, emphasizing the madness of the situation.
We're all as mad as hatters here
Reiteration of the eccentricity of the people involved.
I've fallen for a tawny moor
Repetition of falling for a person of Indian descent.
Took off to the land of nod
Reiteration of escaping to the land of dreams.
Drank with all the Chinamen
Repetition of drinking with Chinese individuals.
Walked the sewers of Paris
Repetition of exploring the sewers of Paris.
I drank along a colored wind
Repetition of dancing along a colored wind, emphasizing a carefree spirit.
I dangled from a rope of sand
Repetition of facing a precarious or unstable situation.
You must say goodbye to me
Final reminder to bid farewell.
Comment