Saoirse Downs
When This Ferry Boat Docks is a line from Joni Mitchell's song Song for Sharon, in which the singer expresses her intention to play bingo as soon as she arrives at her destination. The song is the ninth track on Mitchell's album Songs of a Prairie Girl, released in 2005.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Song for Sharon |
| Singer-songwriter | Joni Mitchell |
| Album | Songs of a Prairie Girl |
| Verse | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Lyrics | I went to Staten Island, Sharon To buy myself a mandolin And I saw the long white dress of love On a storefront mannequin Big boat chuggin' back with a belly full of cars All for something lacy Some girl's going to see that dress And crave that day like crazy Little Indian kids on a bridge up in Canada They can balance and they can climb Like their fathers before them They'll walk the girders of the Manhattan skyline Shine your light on me, Miss Liberty Because as soon as this ferry boat docks I'm headed to the church to play Bingo Fleece me with the gamblers' flocks [Verse 2] I can keep my cool at poker But I'm a fool when love's at stake Because I can't conceal emotion What I'm feeling's always written on my face There's a gypsy down on Bleecker Street I went in to see her as a kind of joke And she lit a candle for my love luck And eighteen bucks went up in smoke [Verse 3] Sharon, I left my man At a North Dakota junction And I came out to The Big Apple here To face the dream's malfunction Love's a repetitious danger You'd think I'd be accustomed to Well, I do accept the changes At least better than I used to do [Verse 4] A woman I knew just drowned herself The well was deep and muddy She was just shaking off futility Or punishing somebody My friends were calling up all day yesterday All emotions and abstractions It seems we all live so close to that line And so far from satisfaction [Verse 5] Dora says, "Have children" Mama and Betsy say, "Find yourself a charity Help the needy and the crippled or put some time into ecology" Well, there's a wide wide world of noble causes And lovely landscapes to discover But all I really wanna do right now Is find another lover [Verse 6] When we were kids in Maidstone, Sharon I went to every wedding in that little town To see the tears and the kisses And the pretty lady in the white-lace wedding gown And walking home on the railroad tracks Or swinging on the playground swing Love stimulated my illusions More than anything [Verse 7] And when I went skating after Golden Reggie You know it was white lace I was chasing Chasing dreams Mama's nylons underneath my cowgirl jeans He showed me first you get the kisses And then you get the tears But the ceremony of the bells and lace Still veils this reckless fool here [Verse 8] Now there are twenty-nine skaters on Wollman Rink Circling in singles and in pairs In this vigorous anonymity A blank face at the window stares and stares and stares and stares and stares And the power of reason And the flowers of deep feeling Seem to serve me Only to deceive me [Verse 9] Sharon, you've got a husband And a family and a farm I've got the apple of temptation And a diamond snake around my arm But you still have your music And I've still got my eyes on the land and the sky You sing for your friends and your family I'll walk green pastures by and by [Verse 10] |
What You'll Learn
The narrator's intention to play Bingo once the ferry docks
The narrator of the song, presumably Joni Mitchell herself, expresses their intention to play Bingo once the ferry docks. This intention is conveyed in the lyrics: "Shine your light on me, Miss Liberty / Because as soon as this ferry boat docks / I'm headed to the church to play Bingo / Fleece me with the gamblers' flocks"
The narrator's intention to play Bingo is clear and direct, and it is presented as a priority for them once the ferry docks. The act of playing Bingo is also mentioned in the song's preceding line, where the narrator asks Miss Liberty to "fleece me with the gamblers' flocks". This phrase suggests that the narrator is inviting Miss Liberty to join them in playing Bingo and perhaps even take advantage of their naivety or inexperience in the game.
The song's context provides additional insight into the narrator's intention to play Bingo. The song, titled "Song for Sharon," is about the narrator's journey to Staten Island to buy a mandolin. It touches on themes of love, freedom, and the pursuit of dreams. The intention to play Bingo once the ferry docks can be interpreted as a lighthearted moment in the song, adding a sense of playfulness and spontaneity to the narrator's journey.
Furthermore, the narrator's intention to play Bingo can be seen as a form of leisure activity or social engagement. Bingo is often played in groups, and by expressing their intention to play, the narrator might be seeking companionship or a sense of community. This interpretation aligns with the song's broader themes of connection and shared experiences.
Overall, the narrator's intention to play Bingo once the ferry docks is a central element of the song, conveying a sense of anticipation, leisure, and social interaction.
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The narrator's visit to Staten Island
The narrator then addresses Miss Liberty, expressing their intention to head straight to church to play bingo as soon as their ferry boat docks.
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The narrator's journey to the church
The narrator of Joni Mitchell's "Song for Sharon" describes their journey to the church in great detail. They begin by setting the scene, mentioning their trip to Staten Island to buy a mandolin and their observation of a long white dress in a shop window. They then paint a picture of the bustling city with the image of a "big boat chuggin' back with a belly full of cars".
As the song continues, the narrator shifts their focus to the "little Indian kids on a bridge up in Canada", highlighting their agility and climbing skills, and drawing a connection to their fathers who "walk the girders of the Manhattan skyline". This image of the skyline leads to the narrator's plea to the Statue of Liberty, asking for guidance as they make their way to their destination.
The narrator's journey is filled with anticipation and a sense of urgency as they eagerly await the ferry boat's arrival. They express their intention to hurry to the church to play bingo as soon as the ferry docks. This sense of eagerness is further emphasized by the narrator's mention of their desire to be "fleece [d] with the gamblers' flocks", indicating their willingness to take risks in the hopes of winning big.
The narrator's journey is not just physical, but also emotional. They reveal their vulnerability when it comes to love, admitting that they "can't conceal emotion" and that their feelings are always "written on [their] face". This raw honesty adds depth to their character and provides insight into their motivations.
As the narrator makes their way to the church, they encounter a gypsy on Bleecker Street, whom they visit as a joke, but who ends up lighting a candle for their "love luck". This detour adds a layer of superstition and mystery to the narrator's journey, suggesting that they are seeking not only physical but also spiritual fulfillment.
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The narrator's emotional transparency
Joni Mitchell's "Song for Sharon" is a deeply personal and emotionally transparent narrative, offering a window into the singer's life and experiences. The song is a journey through her emotions, laid bare with remarkable candour.
As the song progresses, the narrator's emotional state becomes even more apparent. The line "I can keep my cool at poker / But I'm a fool when love's at stake" is a poignant admission of the narrator's vulnerability in matters of the heart. They go on to say, "I can't conceal emotion / What I'm feeling's always written on my face", leaving no doubt about their emotional transparency.
The narrator's feelings of excitement and anticipation are palpable in the lines: "Shine your light on me, Miss Liberty / Because as soon as this ferry boat docks / I'm headed to the church to play Bingo / Fleece me with the gamblers' flocks." The ferry boat in the song serves as a metaphor for the narrator's life journey, with the impending docking representing a turning point or new beginning.
The song also touches on the narrator's struggles and disappointments in love, as they confess to leaving their partner "at a North Dakota junction". They describe the pain of "facing the dream's malfunction" and the repetitive nature of heartbreak. Despite these setbacks, the narrator remains open to love and expresses a desire to find another partner.
The emotional transparency continues as the narrator reflects on the suicide of a woman they knew, alluding to the "deep and muddy" well as a metaphor for the darkness and futility of her friend's final moments. The narrator's raw emotions are laid bare, as they describe the all-too-familiar "emotions and abstractions" that come with losing someone to suicide.
The song concludes with the narrator's acceptance of their current state and a recognition of the beauty in simplicity. Despite the ups and downs of life, the narrator finds solace in nature and music, ending on a note of resilience and hope.
Throughout "Song for Sharon", Mitchell's lyrics act as a vessel for the narrator's emotional transparency. The song is a testament to Mitchell's skill in conveying complex emotions with striking honesty and vulnerability.
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The narrator's visit to a fortune teller
The narrator of 'Song for Sharon' by Joni Mitchell visits a fortune teller. Here is a narrative interpretation of the song lyrics:
I went to see a fortune teller, a gypsy on Bleecker Street. It was a joke, of course; I didn't believe in any of it. But she took my money and lit a candle for my love luck. I figured it was worth a try, even if it was just for fun. I was feeling a bit lost, having just left my man at a North Dakota junction and come out to the big city. I was struggling to navigate the complexities of love and longing for a different future.
The gypsy offered me a glimpse into my romantic prospects. She told me that I would always be a fool for love, that my emotions would always be written on my face for the world to see. She warned me that love would always be a dangerous game for me, a repetitious danger that I would never truly get used to. Despite her ominous predictions, I felt a sense of comfort in her words. I realised that I wasn't alone in my struggles and that everyone navigates the same line between satisfaction and disappointment.
The fortune teller's words resonated with me as I reflected on my life. I thought about my friend who had recently drowned herself, her well deep and muddy. I wondered if she had been trying to shake off the futility of it all or punish someone who had wronged her. I remembered the calls from my friends, filled with emotions and abstractions. We were all just trying to find our way, searching for satisfaction in a world that sometimes felt empty and unfulfilling.
As I sat there, the gypsy encouraged me to focus on the positive aspects of life. She told me about the beauty of having children and the fulfilment that could come from dedicating myself to charity or ecology. But in that moment, all I really wanted was to find another lover, someone who could help me forget the pain of the past and embrace the joy of the present. I longed for a fresh start, a new beginning that would allow me to leave my heartaches behind.
The experience with the fortune teller left me with a mix of emotions. On one hand, I felt a sense of camaraderie with my friends and a deeper understanding of the human condition. On the other hand, I was still searching for something more, a sense of purpose and meaning that seemed just out of reach. I knew that the path forward wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to keep moving, even if it meant facing uncertainty and heartache along the way.
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Frequently asked questions
A: Song for Sharon.
A: Joni Mitchell.
A: Songs of a Prairie Girl.
A: 2005.
A: Verse 1.
