[Verse 1]
Out on the blackened swell
I saw it through the haze
A ship so far, so still
Like a wound that wouldn’t fade
Then red climbed up the mast
And sparks tore through the foam
I gripped that slick white rail
And felt my bones go cold
[Verse 2]
A lantern in the smoke
Was spinning like an eye
The hull was split and glowing
Like a furnace in the tide
Then figures hit the deck
All ash and broken grin
Their hands were made of cinders
Their ribs were burning thin
[Pre-Chorus]
Sail, sail away
Don’t let them call your name
The water turned to iron
And the dark began to sway
I heard their teeth strike fire
I heard the rigging scream
And from that dying vessel
They fixed their eyes on me
[Chorus]
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew
They ride the flames for you
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew
That burning ship in view
Oh-oh, oh-oh
No sailor makes it through
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew
[Verse 3]
The captain wore a crown
Of nails and splintered bone
He raised a charred black hand
Like he was claiming home
The wind went hard and mean
It slapped that salt and smoke
And every shape aboard her
Just laughed and cracked and choked
[Pre-Chorus]
Sail, sail away
The sea won’t take their bribe
The night was full of teeth
And the moon was half alive
I heard the burning timbers
I saw the ember stream
And every soul on deck
Was staring right at me
[Chorus]
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew
They ride the flames for you
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew
That burning ship in view
Oh-oh, oh-oh
No sailor makes it through
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew
[Bridge]
When dawn came up like steel
The ship was gone to smoke
But on my hands and collar
Sat a cinder-blackened coat
And in the glassy waves
I swear I saw them rise
A fire in their eye-sockets
A torch in empty eyes
[Final Chorus]
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew
They ride the flames for you
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew
That burning ship in view
Oh-oh, oh-oh
No sailor makes it through
Skeleton crew
Skeleton crew