Ballad of the Ship of State

Is this ship going home?
Will you take some old young men for crew?
We left our flag in tatters
Where it fell along the shore
You said of flags, what matters?
But nothing matters anymore
'Cause you're ten years overdue
Ten years

You have some room within your hold
For some friends of ours who won't be growing old
Why won't you answer us?
Why aren't we told?
Is this ship going home?

Listen, all of you
Shut up and listen to me
You don't have to shout, we hear you
You don't have to wave, we see, it's just that we're very surprised
To find you alive
We were told there was nothing going on
And that all of you, gone

Is this ship going home?
You must have room, we are so few
Ten years, we've stood here waiting
For a ship to hold in view
We will have no more of waiting
Tell the captain, tell the crew
That they're ten years overdue
Ten years

Listen, all of you
Shut up and listen to me
The captain is locked in his quarters
He is busy and can't be disturbed
And as for the crew, I'd watch out, were I you
For we can't keep their appetites curbed
No, we can't keep their appetites curbed

Is this ship going--
Please, please, get up off your knees
You must see, it's better this way
You were such doughty fellows while fighting the yellows
That they might even ask you to stay
Yes, they might even ask you to stay

Don't you get the idea?
You're much better off here
You're not welcome at home anymore
'Cause we're all so bored with the war

Cast off, mister mate!
Is this ship going home?