oh sweet anna did you mean to do this to me
ive been trying hard to be rational

what a woman, what a woe that you give to me
how long can i count to a thousand

i tried drinking but the bottle is still empty
i can only hope for a fresh one

you tried loving but i guess you could not love me
how long can you count to a thousand

i could be the bigger man, bigger man.
yeah i could be the bigger man, bigger man.
but i just want to kill a man kill a man
really what's a bigger man?

oh young sailor do see you what your captain sees?
love is nothing more than an action

what an ocean, what a world, on the big blue seas
you can change it all if you want to

my good leader what a self loving web you weave
i have got a son and a daughter

my young sailor what a point that you just can't see
don't you think that they need a father

so pull yourself together man, smaller man
and do it for a bigger man, bigger man
how easy it would be if we could know the plan
but really whats a plan?



Lyrics submitted by measure3three


Right Ahead, Young Sailor! song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:He's talking to God.
    At first, he's complaining to him.
    He says, "you could move mountains; yet you refuse to help me out when I need it."
    His wife cheats on him, and he wants to kill the man.
    But he realizes that everything happens for a reason, and his captain (God) would just tell him to move on.
    Nothing is planned, and life doesn't owe you anything. Andy insists there's only one person who knows the plan, and that's his captain. But really, what's a plan?
    Flag Aidenownon December 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When I listen to this song, I don't look at it in a literal sense about love or anything emotional. I think this song emphasizes what it means to be the bigger or better person in a situation, and that sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and deal with things that are necessary.
    Flag Smugglerrron September 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When I listen to this song, I don't look at it in a literal sense about love or anything emotional. I think this song emphasizes what it means to be the bigger or better person in a situation, and that sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and deal with things that are necessary.
    Flag Smugglerrron September 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:god i love this song so much. like you've all said, i just can't get tired of it. i listened to andy's version live at the bread and wrote down the lyrics as best i could. here's what i got:

    oh sweet anna, did you see what you did to me?
    i've been trying hard to be cautious.

    i've been sinking, i've been sinking in the deep blue seas,
    how long can you count to a thousand?

    i tried drinking, but the bottle is still empty.
    love is nothing more than a fraction.

    i tried swimming, but i guess you could not love me.
    love is nothing more than a thousand.

    well i could be a bigger man, bigger man;
    i could be a bigger man, bigger man,
    but i just wanna kill a man, kill a man.
    really what's a bigger man?

    my good leader, what a self-loathing web you weave,
    i have got a son and a daughter.

    my young sailor, what a point that you just can't see.
    don't you think that they need a father?

    well i tried drinking, but my god, i'm still so empty,
    i can only hope for a fresh one.

    well i tried swimming but in the end it's going to be okay[?].
    i can only hope for a loved one.

    so really what's a bigger man, bigger man?
    let's do it for the bigger man, bigger man.
    well i just want to see the plan, see the plan.
    really what's a plan?

    so my sweet darling, i am writing from on the sea;
    i cannot tell you how much i miss you.

    i swore jesus was watching, watching over me,
    but sometimes i am frankly not convinced

    that all that i'm seeing is nothing but misery.
    god i love myself more than you did.

    so don't stop breathing, god i just need to breathe.
    love is nothing more than an action.
    Flag geegingeron July 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I understand every line in this song basically, except for one.
    "How long can you count to a thousand?"
    could someone please explain that to me?
    Flag gkcornette1on March 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Every song that Andy writes for RAGC is a small part of a story.
    The meaning behind all the songs are a sailor.
    Back in the 17 or 1800's.
    He was away at sea, and when he came home he found that his wife,
    of whom he had two kids with, had cheated on him with his brother.
    So he left his family, and sailed the seas.
    And every song is about his journey.
    Flag B4Gon March 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:such a great song. me and my friend were talking about and decided to learn to play it
    Flag campy12on December 03, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:hands down, the best RAGC song.
    Flag AllChokedUpon February 07, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:the one line that really gets me about this song is "love is nothing more than an action" It's like the captain is saying, how can you expect your wife to keep her love for you if you're never there for her to show it too. it really is the most beautiful song i think i've heard.
    also the lines:
    "what an ocean, what a world, on the big blue seas
    you can change it all if you want to"
    i think the captain is saying, forget about it you've got the world in front of you if you want to change something about your life then you go and do it you don't sit around and complain about things.
    this song puts life into perspective. although i wish it was longer it's the sort of song you can listen to on repeat for days on end and not get sick of it. every time you listen to it it means something new. completely gorgeous
    Flag GMLon August 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:oops.
    that was supposed to be he has a son and a daughter.
    sorry.
    Flag hmm.on July 12, 2008   Link

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