A comment on the phrase "A Newcastle ship without coals." Sting comes from Newcastle (so does Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits.) It is a city where ships are built and shipping is a major industry. And through history, coal was a major export. There is an old expression, "Carrying coals to Newcastle," meaning to do something that is foolish or pointless, because there were LOTs of coals already in Newcastle. So here we have a ship built in Newcastle, but not carrying coals, or other commercial cargo, but instead carrying Billy and his father to a spiritual destination.
This is one of my favorite songs on my favorite of Sting's albums. I like the melancholy mood.
A comment on the phrase "A Newcastle ship without coals." Sting comes from Newcastle (so does Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits.) It is a city where ships are built and shipping is a major industry. And through history, coal was a major export. There is an old expression, "Carrying coals to Newcastle," meaning to do something that is foolish or pointless, because there were LOTs of coals already in Newcastle. So here we have a ship built in Newcastle, but not carrying coals, or other commercial cargo, but instead carrying Billy and his father to a spiritual destination.
This is one of my favorite songs on my favorite of Sting's albums. I like the melancholy mood.
@SuXen Thanks for the insight on "A Newcastle Ship without coals." I was puzzled by this phrase, but you cleared it up for me.
@SuXen Thanks for the insight on "A Newcastle Ship without coals." I was puzzled by this phrase, but you cleared it up for me.
@SuXen Thanks for the insight on "A Newcastle Ship without coals." I was puzzled by this phrase, but you cleared it up for me.
@SuXen Thanks for the insight on "A Newcastle Ship without coals." I was puzzled by this phrase, but you cleared it up for me.