The Ship Song

by Nick Cave
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Lyrics

Come sail your (D)ships

a round me

and burn your (G)brid ges down.

We make a lit tle (D)his t’ry

ba by

’ry time you (G)come a round.

loose (D)doubts

up on

let (G)hair hang

You are (D)mys

to me

(G)come a round.

(G)call a round.

We talk a bout it all night (D)long.

We de fine our (G)mor al ground.

But when I crawl in (G)to your arms

ev

’ry thing

it comes tumb ling (D)down.

Come sail your

(D)ships

a round me

and burn your

(G)brid ges down.

We’ll make a lit tle (D)his t’ry

ba by,

ev ’ry time you (G)come a round.

Your face has fall en (G)sad

now,

’fore you know the (G)time is nigh.

When must re (G)move

wings

and

you must

to (D)fly.

Come sail your

(D)ships

a round me

and burn your

(G)brid ges down.

We’ll make a lit tle (D)his t’ry

ba by,

ev ’ry time you (G)come a round.

Come loose your

(D)doubts

up on me

and let your

(G)hair hang down.

You are a lit tle (D)mys t’ry

to me

ev ’ry time you (G)call a round.

sail

(D)ships

a round

burn

(G)brid ges

We make

(D)his

ba by

(G)come

The Ship Song — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

4 people have learned this song

Classic piano notation for "The Ship Song" by Nick Cave as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in G — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 68 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (G) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “The Ship Song

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "The Ship Song" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key G, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "The Ship Song" by Nick Cave in?
The backing track is in G at 68 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "The Ship Song" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "The Ship Song"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "The Ship Song", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "The Ship Song" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "The Ship Song"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "The Ship Song"?
"The Ship Song" was originally performed by Nick Cave. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Nick Cave are available?
Other accompaniments by Nick Cave: "Into My Arms", "Where The Wild Roses Grow". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of G, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "The Ship Song" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

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