☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a time of impending change and triumph.
- The lyrics use metaphorical descriptions to illustrate the upcoming change and triumph.
- It emphasizes that those who were previously oppressed will triumph and defeat their enemies.
- The lyrics express hope for an upcoming change.
- The song is metaphorical and uses imagery of the sea, the storm, and the ship to convey this message.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "When the Ship Comes in" by
Bob Dylan are about a time of change and triumph. The song describes how a situation that was previously calm and quiet gradually changes and becomes a time of great upheaval.
The opening lines of the song describe a time of stillness before a storm begins. It is implied that changes are imminent and that something big is going to happen. The lyrics say: "The time will come when the wind stops blowing and the breeze stops breathing. Like the silence before the hurricane, the hour begins when the ship comes in".
The lyrics also use metaphorical descriptions, such as the parting of the seas and the trembling of the sands on the shore, to illustrate the impending change and triumph. It is said that the fish will laugh and the seagulls will smile while the rocks stand proud when the ship comes in.
The lyrics also indicate that the words used to confuse the ship will not be understood, as they will be destroyed by the chains of the sea during the night and buried in the ocean. It is said: "The chains of the sea will be destroyed during the night and will be buried at the bottom of the ocean".
The lyrics also describe the reaction of the enemies, who wake up from their sleep and think they are dreaming. It is said that they will realize it is real when the ship comes in. It is predicted that their days are numbered and that they will be defeated, similar to Pharaoh's tribe or Goliath.
The lyrics end with the wise men of the ship emphasizing that the whole world is watching and that those who were previously against the ship will be defeated. It is said: "Then they'll raise their hands and say they'll meet all your demands, but we'll shout from the bow that your days are numbered".
The song lyrics "When the Ship Comes in" by Bob Dylan express the hope of an upcoming triumph and change. They describe a time when those who were previously oppressed will triumph and defeat their enemies. The lyrics are metaphorical and use imagery of the sea, the storm, and the ship to convey this message.