[Primera Parte]

Bb                 F  Eb      
Went to see the captain
 G°              Bb
Strangest I could find
       D7         Eb           
Laid my proposition down
Cm               F                        
Laid it on the line
 Eb                  Bb
I won't slave for beggar's pay
Dm                   Cm
Like wise gold and jewels
Eb                   Bb                 
but I would slave to learn the way to
  F           Eb       Bb
sink your ship of fools

[Estribillo]

Bb       F         Eb    Bb
Ship of fools on a cruel sea
Bb       F       Eb           
Ship of fools sail a way from me
Gm                               
It was later that I thought when
G°
I first believed you
   Cm                 
Now I can not share your
         Eb         Bb
laughter  ship of fools

[Segunda Parte]

 Bb              F        Eb           
Saw your first ship sink and
G°                    Bb
drown from rocking of the boat
             D7                      
and all that could not sink or swim
 F                      Dm
was just left there to float
Cm                  Bb              
I  won't leave you driftin' down
  Gm                Cm
but whoa it makes me wild
Eb                   Bb               
With thirty years upon my head
F         Eb          Bb       
To have you call me child

[Estribillo]

Bb       F            Eb    Bb
Ship of fools on a cruel sea
Bb       F                  Eb    Gm
Ship of fools sail a way from me
                            G°
It was later that I thought when

I first believed you
       Cm                 F         Eb         Bb
Now I can not share your laughter ship of fools

[Tercera Parte]

 Bb            F         Eb     
The bottles stand as empty
     G°            Bb
As they were filled before
                    D7                    
time there was and plenty but
F               Gº
From that cup no more
Cm                  F         Eb        
Though I could not caution all
Bb             Dm
I still might warn a few
Eb                       Bb                  
Don't lend your hand to raise
 F                 Bb
no flag atop no ship of fools

[Estribillo]

Bb       F              Eb    Bb
Ship of fools on a cruel sea
Bb       F              Eb           
Ship of fools sail a way from me
Gm                              G°
It was later that I thought when

I first believed you
  Cm                 F         Eb         Bb
Now I can not share your laughter ship of fools