Ship In The Sky
Woody Guthrie · The Woody Guthrie Story [2010]
Well, a curly-headed girl with a bright shining smile
Heard the roar of a plane as it sailed through the sky
To her playmates she said, with a bright twinkling eye
My Daddy flies that ship in the sky
My Daddy flies that ship in the sky
My Daddy flies that ship in the sky
My Mama's not afraid and neither am I
'Cause my Daddy flies that ship in the sky
Then a button-nosed kid, as he kicked up his heels
He said, My Daddy works in the iron and the steel
My Dad builds the planes and they fly through the sky
And that's what keeps your daddy up there so high
That's what keeps your daddy up there so high
That's what keeps your daddy up there so high
My Dad builds the planes and they fly through the sky
And that's what keeps your daddy up there so high
Then a freckle-faced kid pinched his toe in the sand
He says, My Daddy works at that place where they land
You tell your mama, don't be afraid
My Dad'll bring your daddy back home again
My Dad'll bring your daddy back home again
My Dad'll bring your daddy back home again
Don't be afraid when it gets dark and rains
My Dad'll bring your daddy back home again
Ship In The Sky
Woody Guthrie's 'Ship In The Sky' stands as a quintessential example of his folk protest tradition, blending acoustic storytelling with social commentary. Recorded for The Woody Guthrie Story [2010], this track exemplifies Guthrie's ability to weave personal narrative with broader political themes, characteristic of his work during the Great Depression era. The song reflects the folk revival's focus on labor rights and economic hardship, utilizing Guthrie's distinctive vocal style and guitar accompaniment to deliver a message of resilience and solidarity. As a staple of his discography, the recording captures the raw, unpolished authenticity that defined his contribution to American folk music, influencing generations of songwriters who sought to use their art to highlight societal injustices.