Crosby, Stills & Nash - Wooden Ships - Houston, Texas, 1977

Wooden Ships
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Wooden Ships"
"Wooden Ships" is a rock song written and composed by David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Paul Kantner (of Jefferson Airplane) in the late 1960s. The song was written and composed in Florida on Crosby's boat. Crosby composed the music, and Stills and Kantner wrote most of the lyrics.[1]
Contents
[hide]
1 Background
1.1 Timing
1.2 Interpretations
2 Notes
[edit] Background
Paul Kantner could not be officially credited as one of the joint authors-composers of "Wooden Ships" on the original release of Crosby, Stills & Nash due to legal issues, but he is thus officially credited on the 2006 re-release. The song was also released by Jefferson Airplane the same year on the album Volunteers. Both versions are considered to be original versions of the song, although they differ slightly in wording and melody.
Crosby recorded a solo demo in March 1968 with the melody but no lyrics. Stills recorded his own demo the following month with most of the lyrics in place.
[edit] Timing
"Wooden Ships" was written at the height of the Vietnam War, a time of great tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, nuclear-armed rivals in the Cold War.
[edit] Interpretations
Like Tom Lehrer's "We Will All Go Together When We Go" and Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction," the song seems to deal with ever-present fears of an apocalyptic nuclear war.[citation needed] In this interpretation, the words of the song depict the horrors confronting the survivors of a nuclear holocaust in which the two sides have annihilated each other. A man from one side stumbles upon a man from the other side and asks him, "Can you tell me, please, who won?" Since the question has no real meaning in the circumstances (or even at all), it is left unanswered. To stay alive, they share purple berries that have presumably not been poisoned by radiation. The lyrics beg "silver people on the shoreline" to "let us be"; these are commonly held to be men wearing radiation suits.[citation needed] As wooden ships are carrying the survivors away, radiation poisoning kills those who have not made it aboard:[citation needed]
Horror grips us as we watch you die
All we can do is echo your anguished cries
Stare as all human feelings die

[@yrtnook]

Oh how very wrong David Crosby is in this intro. How unfortunately relevant this song is to this day!

[@IeuroI]

all the truth. it is literally the 1960's all over again. bernie will be speaking tomorrow in my city, #feelthebern

[@yrtnook]

+Sean Vw I #FeelTheBern !!!!! :-)

[@johnconway9906]

yrtnook listening to it now it is terribly relevant

[@patrickvalicenti5306]

He said very little of people's work would last, this song is def one of them.

[@shawnmcintyre4773]

America !

[@SuperMcabral]

David is gone but our generation's music will go on. All generations love it. This is my favorite CSN song of all time!

[@nathangraham2242]

In regards to David's comments at the start, almost 60 years and counting and your music maters more than ever. 100 years from now today's music will be forgotten but yours will still be a important and relevant as the day you first recorded it

[@Maclaren415]

Now at 69 yrs. old the tears well in my eyes while listening. First heard about them in 69 in the movie Woodstock. Now in 2021 March...I watch them in different years...77 was when everyone was coming out of the 60's CSN was not to be trifled with as another group that would burn out...they were and still are a gift to us all.

[@jonsnow1123]

Oh my man. I'm also in my sixties. Reading your entry brought ME to tears! For some reason, I can't quite place it, when I listen to this song, it makes me think of Robert Heinlein's, "Stranger in a Strange land." It also conjures images for me if the American Civil War. "Hey, can I have some of your purple berries? Yes, I've been eating them, six, or seven weeks now, probably keep us both alive..." I envision two soldiers walking home, from different sides, and this exchange...

[@angelamorgan3399]

Oh my God…thank you for your comments. I, too, remember the first feeling felt to this song… how blissfully innocent we all were then…I do believe that this can still be our anthem out of this dystopia into a real, self-generated euphoria that is our birthright! Yes…

[@catmom1322]

The first time I heard this beautiful song was on the Woodstock album, sitting on the floor, smoking, & enjoying the hell out of this. They explained the whole scenario, which made it special.

[@wescheslak9408]

This is what it’s all about. In my mid 50’s. Absolutely love this and the memories it brings. Great tune, great musicians.

[@oldbeatpete]

our generation is moaning the loss of that beautiful feeling at the time, that humans would wise up. Now look at them 2016...!

[@fernandomaron87]

What a vibe, they were so in tune with each other, the music flowed like water

[@YachtFifer1928]

RIP David. Thanks for the soundtrack of our lives and our wooden ships.

[@fredmoore8661]

Beautifully said.

[@georgelasko8346]

Yes. Rip David. You have brought us so much enjoyment throughout the years. You will never, ever be forgotten.

[@5265vic]

This is one of those songs you don’t want to end

[@johanstaelens5194]

the glorious Rock of the 70's will NEVER be beaten for every genre of music.those of us who lived it knew it was a special era.

[@jonjeffries3265]

I saw them at the fabulous forum in LA as a sophomore in high school in 77'.. The greatest Show My 16-year-old eyes have ever seen..

[@zackw.9793]

RIP. We lost a legend. I'm grateful that my parents still are huge CSNY fans and shared your music with me as a kid. Your melodies and lyrics remain hugely influential. This music will live on forever.

[@tommyhaynes9157]

Still's solos are just perfect

[@RustedTelevisione]

Stills will go down as one of the most talented rock & rollers ever - and an underrated one at that! A phenomenal singer, guitarist, songwriter!

[@kbellwhit9030]

Brilliant

[@fredmoore8661]

Difficult to watch without weeping. So beautiful. Wonderful times, amazing people, awesome tune. Flawless harmony.

[@anthonyparro425]

The soundtrack of my life in the early 70 s. A friend heard God coming through the speakers listening to CSN&Y one afternoon and was on the street early the next morning giving away all his money; he then disappeared to South America for the next ten years

[@davidmurray2539]

That anecdote is far more interesting than this group.

[@bananafish58]

Oh, David! I believe you'll be surprised, as you gave down from the stars, just how long your music will be remembered. Thankful to have had you amazing voice and social conscience for so long. RIP. 💖

[@casanova2232]

Flying high bless your wings David thank you for your time here 💟

[@GregInEastTennessee]

RIP David Crosby. A true icon.

[@lindapearcr3138]

Yes

[@Baci302]

Great performance by the band. At about 4:10, Stephen turns down the Tone nob to his Gibson Firebird (single mini humbucker) before going into a new section of his solo. Brilliant.

[@musicbearun]

Saw CSN twice in 1985, along with The Band. Your music has been a huge part of my life. Sad day today...RIP David.

[@johnroberts1141]

The music and poetry of my generation.

[@lindapearcr3138]

Yes

[@BLUESMANRONCHICAGO]

This is one of their songs that will definitely stand the test of time!!!

[@charlenebasile2083]

I have probably listened to this sound thousands of times over the years and each time I hear it- it gives me goosebumps. Timeless indeed ! One of the best ever .

[@deequinonez2180]

Thank you David for giving the music of a generation to us , the flower children! The beautiful souls!

[@lindapearcr3138]

Yes

[@davechae5890]

​@@lindapearcr3138U make me feel proud of the times we All shared back then 🎶🎵🌻🏵️🏵️💮💮🌸🌸🌺🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@stellamoreno7766]

Rest In Peace. I feel so blessed that I grew up loving with your music. Thank You!

[@juliehanselman3726]

Your music will be remembered ❤️. Thank you David Crosby for all you gave us.

[@davidray9934]

This was a great concert that I had the good fortune to attend in 1977. They were on revolving stage so everyone had a good seat that night, I sure miss the good old days !

[@vickytaylor9604]

I saw CSN many years ago and Stephen Stills just blew me away at that concert...still does to this very day !

[@claudiocisco1]

Quante balle scritte....una delle piu' belle canzoni che ascolto da 45 anni e mi ha accompagnato in tt la Vita...ora a 62 anni la ascolto piu' di prima.

[@BaconNBeer]

As long as there are those of us who love the music it still lives.

[@daveb6214]

Godspeed David The Southern Cross awaits you Fly High Croz

[@paulhamilton2410]

I was at this show, Nov. 22, 1977.

[@rhondawebb7985]

ME TOO! Can't believe I just found it on YT...

[@FilmFlam]

RIP, David. Thank you for all the great music you helped bring our way.

[@EastCoastRockers]

We covered this song on our channel a few days before David Crosby's death although its not nearly as good as the original. Personally, I love CSNY and is one of my all time favorites to perform. RIP David Crosby.

[@thekillercardinal]

RIP Mr. Crosby. Thank you for all the joy and reflection over the years.

[@lindapearcr3138]

Yes

[@tompinion4138]

Such an era of fine musicianship the 70s were. Talent and skill ruled. Still gives me chills to listen to this. Just fantastic!

[@cenkkmusic]

Stills killing it man, what a great band!

[@fredmoore8661]

He is amazing!

[@wendygreidanus8391]

David Crosby, rest in peace. Thank you for the music that, to this day, feeds my soul.

[@tasteoflife112]

This brings me back listening to this entire album front to back with my mom around the house on a Saturday. They don’t make em like they used to. So incredibly grateful to taste a little of what that life was like.

[@Pamela6743]

RIP Cros. Thanks for the music. So blessed I got to see them in concert. 🙌🏻✨🙌🏻 soar high. You’ve earned your wings. 👼🏻👼🏻👼🏻

[@RZLAND]

To me this is one of their greatest songs! They had plenty of hits, but this one rings true.

[@lindafrantz5341]

I love this band! They are amazing singers, song writers, musicians and humans!

[@christophezanardi5319]

RIP David and.....have a good trip...... thank you for all you give to us.....

[@roballen6449]

RIP David, never be another talent like you.

[@shawnabrams9669]

Rip brother! This will always last and matter!!

[@Oregon__Grown]

I will remember you for eternity David. Your music lives on forever. RIP

[@paulhale2880]

The 70s were the best, Man

[@RustedTelevisione]

@@paulhale2880 zero argument here brah!

[@twstrgmailcom]

That unmistakeable Firebird sound! I found out recently Stills traded Clapton for that guitar.

[@jeffsmart110]

One of their most gripping, powerful, moving songs--just wonderful

[@Needles923]

Masterful song by a masterful group....Harmonies, Lyrics and Stills hot guitar .

[@anthonycantu8879]

This song, to me, fits so well, about an encounter of two civil war soldiers, each from the opposite side. They ran away from the madness, found each other in the wilderness somewhere, and decided to live in peace until the war blew over. I wonder who wanted to know who won. Johnny Reb, or the blue coat. In my mind, since I was young, that was the scenario that had cemented itself in my mind, regardless of what the song was actually about. The harmony is just incredible.

[@lesliethompson4588]

These guys give me goose bumps. Every. Time. For 30 years

[@lisabolo26]

AMAZING!! What a terrible loss. All the greats from that era almost gone. I already don't recognize this country as the one I grew up in. Sad to say, I cannot think of one f'in thing that has changed for the better in the last few decades. Despite all that was happening around us, we were HAPPY in the 1970s. Now, so much internal strife abounds. Sad, very sad, indeed.

[@musiconly3144]

And to think their first gig was Woodstock. I did get to see them years ago. Their collaborative sound is on point! Still listen to albums while working outside. Dancing like I’m at Woodstock. Fun for neighbors I’m sure 😂

[@kevinmcgiffin10]

These guys harmonized sooo well❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JoseCamison]

Tengo 77 años y cuando escucho está maravilla lloro de emoción

[@eel908]

One of the greatest acid buzz between people to create a magical song , god bless you all , Crosby , still , and Nash , young . . . . . . . .

[@scottaforeman]

RIP, David. Best vocals and creativity.

[@jperryfan]

Caught this show at the garden 6/21/77. They absolutely killed it. Thanks for posting

[@danthemeatman9883]

Back in the day before all the people came! St.Petersburg, Florida 1976😊🍺🙏♥️

[@kevinmcgiffin10]

Raised on these guys ...i have my middle sis to thank for that education. College protest days was my youth days.....Kent State 🙏💪🇺🇸

[@LarsDcCase]

Great classic song from the Woodstock time RIP David. This music will live on forever.

[@raidersteve7274]

I was at this Concert-“Magical”. One of the Best Concerts I have ever Seen.

[@SuperMcabral]

It's survived over 50 years and I plan on living forever in Paradise. So you'll be singing this song you wrote to us! Stephen Stills agreed with me when I wrote it was my favorite CSN song.

[@BarbaraNoteboom]

I was happy that I got to see them in the 90s beautiful voices. One of my favorites here.

[@deanwolk9592]

Unbelievable music. Crafted sweet and meaningful. Music is the reflection of our times and they reflected it. Peace.

[@brianandrews9589]

Crosby Stills Nash & Young one of my all-time favorite harmonizing bands

[@brendalogan1801]

Was at this concert! Thank you!

[@MichaelJDowney2]

Thank you, David, on this day and so many before this, helping me find my voice

[@craigweipert1245]

That’s one of the best things I’ve seen in awhile. Great harmonies, all at their best voices, & excellent guitar skills. -Casual ‘77 dress ware too! Need more Puka Shells.

[@marisaelenenadiejamusiccom3974]

The song is perfection...it was good that someone funded people like this..it is great it has been documented..and available..people should share it.

[@curiousnomad]

Now, more than ever, is this relevant. And always will be...

[@marcodebarkingville1827]

Nash rounds up the cattle and holds it together, Crosby and Stills are zooming round the universe.👍😎

[@ATMAtim]

I may have been at this one.

[@alreaud]

Damn... 50+ years later brings tears to my eyes... Same as B Smith below. Wow, we had such promise. How did we screw it up so bad????

[@alainpaum]

This guitar of stephen is magic

[@alainpaum]

Wooden ship is a masterpiece ! Such a fantastic song especially with CSN !

[@redbeard16]

R.I.P. David! This will last forever!

[@flossyfloo6375]

This has to be my all time Fav C.S.& N. song, and never get fed up playing it.. How true of the world we live in today.. R.I.P dear wonderfully talented David, sadly missed..

[@cintarocko5095]

Got this album WHAT A SUPER GROUP

[@davidregen1420]

Awesome song. It says so much. "Go, take a sister then by the hand, Lead her away from this foriegn land, Far away, where we'll not laugh again, , We are leaving, They don't need us..... And it's a fair wind, blowing warm over my shoulder, I guess I'll, set a course & go........"

[@barkatthemoon100]

...far away, where we MIGHT laugh again.... I usually don't make a comment to correct a word but in this case "might" instead of "not" gives it a whole different meaning, implies some hope for their future if they leave now. Peace friends.

[@mickowens2]

I was there, at what was then "The Summit" in Houston...

[@txndwa]

Also. Saw the Eagles there that same year.

[@claytonvernon8793]

@@txndwa I was at The Who, the first concert ever there

[@JUSTAMAZEDATITALL]

I was 14 ♥️

[@jeremykinsey7877]

This is music. We need this

[@lloydtarrell98]

These harmonies gone forever.

[@bazgolin1036]

RIP Croz… it’s a fair wind blowing’ out of the south from over your shoulder…😢

[@whydoesgoogleneedmyname6839]

Goodbye Croz! Thank You! You'll Never Be Forgotten. RIP

[@seashepherds4959]

In Nature there is a perfection everlasting and those who can see clear, sing clear and reach the heart of humanity and their song will remain eternally true! Your spirits like the tide will lift all those hollow shells devoid of hate and full holds of Love. As your Spirit is Lifted CSNY!

[@berniparker]

God bless David...

[@jonherz7207]

Croz and Stills LEGENDS!

[@Mac-ix4qp]

I remember listening to the album So Far driving across the mountains of the Intermountain West & Midwestern Plains in the early 80's. This tune stays with you.

[@rosgj77]

Rip David Crosby 🖤 😢

[@AlbertHallenberg]

Quite nice video/audio quality (from 1977!). Professionally filmed & well edited. The performance shows why Stephen Stills is a highly underrated guitar player (he's a fantasic bass player, too, by the way). Hey, even David Crosby wakes up a bit & plays a lick or two (love the harmonics at the end). I think this tour was mainly to promote their "CSN" album. It looked like a good one.

[@annehill2741]

Super Session .Stills, Al Kooper

[@annehill2741]

S stills ...amazing guitar always , and voice ..Manassa

[@annehill2741]

Stills , Mike Bloomfield , Al Kooper. Super Session still considered best live single recording session. CSN&Y, also great music. Buffalo Springfield,

[@thomassicard3733]

Such a FANTASTICALLY GREAT group.

[@devinhood7340]

Rock in Paradise David

[@thunderwontdalightningwill1062]

One of my favorite bands of that golden era. Truly men among boys, prophets and voices of a generation. I firmly believe that if the world hadn't this music to provoke a deeper realization of our roles as stewards of the lives of Gaia, there would now not be a Gaia at all. God is wise, and we are made in his image. God bless you all, my brethren. Keep growing, for now we face a transformation into adulthood, or a degenerative decent born of spiritual idleness. God will not force us, because we are given free will. We have the tools now, and are on our own. Will we master technology, or will it master us? The latter means destruction for all aboard our beautiful blue spaceship. The former means standing beside our creator in blessedness. Love is all, God is love. And yes, we are god. Love to all of you.

[@evavanginhoven75]

Wow, this makes me cry over and over again. Because of this song, I started writing my own lines for a song. If you smile at me I will understand 'Cause that is something Everybody everywhere does in the same language I can see by your coat, my friend you're from the other side There's just one thing I got to know Can you tell me please who won? Say can I have some of your purple berries? Yes, I've been eating them For six or seven weeks now haven't got sick once Probably keep us both alive Wooden ships on the water very free and easy Easy, you know the way it's supposed to be Silver people on the shoreline let us be Talkin' 'bout very free and easy Horror grips us as we watch you die All we can do is echo your anguished cries Stare as all human feelings die We are leaving, you don't need us Aaaah ... Go take your sister then by the hand Lead her away from this foreign land Far away where we might laugh again We are leaving, you don't need us And it's a fair wind Blowin' warm out of the south over my shoulder Guess I'll set a course and go

[@ura239]

Yeah those introductory lyrics are wonderful.

[@EclecticDiscus]

RIP David

[@DDubb-wb1nr]

Too many memories of CSN and CSN&Y. A lost generation of musical creativity and genius. Sorry to lose another legend.

[@garyhastings9815]

great today as was then thank you for all the years of great music, with NY in mind as well

[@clairewiechulla4640]

The best of CSN. Dark star checking in here🖤🇺🇸

[@curiousnomad]

Still’s is obviously a great musician, but his guitar playing is way underrated. So musical.

[@schlum27]

Still one of my top 10 ever...the feeling of live in the 60tees and 70tees. Hm , I confess my top 10 contain at least 177 pieces 🙂

[@geraldstraub8836]

This was the time when music was truly music, and not the trash of the present time

[@Mietzekatz]

Ich höre es wegen der Musik immer wieder mal gern.