|
13 Oct 09 - 12:34 AM (#2744667) Subject: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: GUEST,JesseW Lyrics (as best as I can hear them; (?) where I was uncertain) for Limbo Ships, by Jim Hunter & Tom Bryan, off of Temple Records - A 25 Year Legacy. Transcribed by Jesse Weinstein, Oct 12, 2009 Black ship out on a dark sea side there's death on the old wheel (?) road, the mirian (?) freighter, with no port-of-call and a cargo no boat should hold. CHORUS: Limbo ships -- out on the water; Round and round, trying to lose their load, Limbo ships -- out on the ocean; Gone four corners, all around the globe. Ghost men numb (?) trace bank accounts, dealing international gold. A skeleton crew on a rustin' hulk, flushin' (?) down in the hold. CHORUS Limbo ship can't come ashore, banker down in the (?) plunger (?) sun moon (?) splash (?) cape (?) to the arctic ice the barge (?) is never done CHORUS Toxin in transit, a corner on the market Quietly bought and sold. The one world (?) know it, might never come ashore, they (?) come back (?) with an empty hold. CHORUS CHORUS Hey! Limbo ships. Limbo ships. [getting quieter and quieter] Limbo ships. Limbo ships. Limbo ships. Limbo ships. --------- It has a haunting and agressive guitar part -- and I'm curious about the meaning of the lyrics. What are these "limbo ships" to which he refers? How did he hear of them? Jesse Weinstein |
|
13 Oct 09 - 12:37 AM (#2744668) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: JesseW Yes, the above was me. |
|
13 Oct 09 - 08:01 AM (#2744826) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble Jesse- This is a nice puzzle, both nautical and financial. "Black ship out on a dark sea side there's death on the old wheel (?) road, the mirian (?) freighter, with no port-of-call and a cargo no boat should hold." Here are my guesses for the first verse (I'm not greedy): "Wheel" is "world" "Mirian" is "Meridian" Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
13 Oct 09 - 08:07 AM (#2744837) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble "Limbo" seems self evident. The ships are neither here nor there but suspended in time and space. Charley Noble |
|
13 Oct 09 - 10:19 AM (#2744930) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble "Black ship out on a dark sea side there's death on the old wheel (?) road, the mirian (?) freighter, with no port-of-call and a cargo no boat should hold." Here are my second guesses for the first verse: "Wheel" is "sea" "Mirian" is "Syrian" Is this song actually about the waste disposal ships which circle the globe in the vain hope of finding a port which will accept their toxic cargo? Do you have a link to a full sound file of this song? All I can find are MP3 samples. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
13 Oct 09 - 06:44 PM (#2745357) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: JesseW I like your second guesses better. I continue to wonder about what the real background for it is... suppose I oughta write to the lyricist and see if he'll say anything 'bout it. |
|
13 Oct 09 - 07:57 PM (#2745389) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble Jesse- I've actually sent Jim Hunter an e-mail already. Perhaps, he'll respond or not! He may not even know what he composed back in 1992. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
13 Oct 09 - 10:40 PM (#2745444) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Effsee ..."He may not even know what he composed back in 1992."... Why would you think that Charley? |
|
14 Oct 09 - 10:15 AM (#2745534) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble Effsee- Sorry about that. I was just being smart-assed. Charley Noble |
|
14 Oct 09 - 10:18 AM (#2745541) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble I've made a little progress with the MP3 file that Jesse sent me but there still are open questions: Limbo Ships Black ship out on a dark sea tide There's death on the old Whale Road; A Syrian freighter with no port-of-call, And a cargo no boat should hold. Chorus: Limbo ships -- out on the water; Round and round, tryin' to lose their load, Limbo ships -- out on the ocean; Gone four corners, all around the globe! Ghost men don't trace (?) bank accounts, Stealin' international gold; A skeleton crew on a rustin' hulk, Flushin' down, in the hold. CHORUS Limbo ship can't come ashore, Anchored down in the putrid (?) sun; Moon (?) splash (?) Cape to the Arctic ice The voyage is never done. CHORUS Toxin in transit, a corner on the market, Quietly bought and sold; The one world knowin' Might never come ashore, Come back with an empty hold. CHORUS Charley Noble |
|
15 Oct 09 - 08:48 AM (#2746461) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble Any other suggestions for the next to last verse? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
15 Oct 09 - 09:44 AM (#2746508) Subject: Lyr Add: LIMBO SHIPS (Tom Bryan, Jim Hunter) From: Charley Noble Well, this message just came in from Jim Hunter via e-mail which resolves the lyrics we couldn't figure out: "Thanks for your message and interest in the old Limbo Ships. The song was written after seeing a documentary on a ship carrying a full load of highly toxic waste which had tried to land in ports all around the world with no success for six months or so. It then disappeared off the radar and reappeared a few weeks later empty. Canadian/Scottish poet Tom Bryan wrote up some lines which I turned into the song. The mad drum playing is by Robin Morton ex Boys of the Lough and owner of Temple Records. Here is the words without the mumbling! Limbo Ships Black ship out on a dark sea silent As death on the old whale road; Liberian freighter with no port of call And a cargo no boat should hold. Limbo ships out on the water Round and round trying to lose their load; Limbo ships out on the ocean Going four corners all around the globe. Ghost men, untraced bank accounts, Deal in international gold Skeleton crew on a rusting hulk With poison down in the hold. Limbo ship can't come ashore Anchored in the blood red sun; Moon splashed Cape to the Arctic ice -- The voyage is never done. Toxin in transit, corner in the market, Quietly bought and sold; No one will know, it might never come ashore, They always come back with an empty hold... Hope that helps. My web site: click here for website All the best, Jim" We did pretty good but I don't think we would ever have nailed them all, even with headphones. Excellent song! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
18 Oct 09 - 01:24 PM (#2747257) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble refresh |
|
18 Oct 09 - 02:28 PM (#2747322) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: JesseW Thank you to everyone (esspecially Charley), for your great help and interest. This is one of the great things about the 'cat! And thanks to Jim Hunter for responding! |
|
18 Oct 09 - 02:40 PM (#2747346) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jim Hunter's 'Limbo Ships' From: Charley Noble Jesse- That's one reason I hang around here. I'll be passing this song on to one of my band members who may be interested in learning it. Cheerily, Charley Noble |