I'M WAITING FOR SHIPS
THAT NEVER COME IN

J. Yellen; Abe Olsen (Olman on the LP label)
(Recorded 8 March 1961)


I'm waiting for ships that never come in;
I wonder where they can be...?

(Spoken)

Life is only a game of poker,
and "happiness" is the pot.
Fate deals you five cards in the cradle,
and you play, whether you like it or not.

Some get a pat hand to start with,
and the game doesn't seem on the square
when you look at your hand and discover
you were born without even a pair.

But there's no use in kicking or squawking,
just pick up your cards and begin
to figure and plan and puzzle,
while Fate looks on with a grin.

Some take a chance at bluffing
and stake everything they've got
on a dinky little four-flush,
and, sometimes, it wins the pot.

Others will break up openers
to draw for a middle straight -
They know what a chance they're taking,
and they learn their mistake too late.

Some can't help playing crooked
against all good advice...
But they seldom get away with it -
and in the end, they'll pay the price.

The most of us play straight poker.
But I tell you, boys, it's hard...
When you're there with both ends open,
and you can't draw the winning card...

Now I've always been a loser...
It seems that I never can win;
and I'm just a dreamer who's
waiting for ships that never come in.

I wonder where they can be.


Submitted by Leon Hart

Lyrics

Session File