Elbow - My Sad Captains Lyrics

This song gives so many peeps memories man!!!!!:)

Let's dream one day I can diagnose my ilness

I hope you can too! I'm sure it will all turn out okay in the end :)

Positively awesome song! Video?...not so much.

Elbow = any year any season

I once was a captain in the army and I used to take my daughter to ballet. I’m not now longer a captain and no longer have my daughter.

Comedy gold 😂 .....err at least I HOPE it is.

This is so much about me and my buddies!

these songs bring me back to summer when we went to see them at the Eden project. Good times

Simply beautiful😊

The world needs more love songs to friendship. Thanks, Elbow, for this one.

This really does transcend music doesn't it. It achieved so much more. I love the song and the video is perfectly shot. For a moment. My faith in humanity was restored.

Every time I revisit elbow , they wrap me up and give me the hug I didn't know I needed

Love this Song & Video, brings back memmories of my daughters when they were young *****

Elbow are just the greatest ✌

Beautiful.

Dad, put the paper down and watch your daughter dance.
You'll regret it one day if you don't.

I think we are all Sad Captains... it is just somehow easier to see that in children because of their transparency.. As we age, we get better at camouflaging sadness. Like all of us, these children experience all that life offers: happiness, interest, enthusiasm; and then also some sadness, disappointment, insecurity. If we can maintain some inner strength, we ride that rollercoaster with some degree of success which is LIFE.Beautifully done.

I only just discovered this beautiful song/video... I am curious, the sadness part. There is a very touching part because of just how authentic it seems.. at 1:30 there is a dad who distracts himself from the kids play to view (I think) his phone (mssgs/emails) and at that instant was when his (I think) daughter looked for him, saw his inattention and then her expression...wow !! You can't teach an actor to do that.. that was somehow a genuine (I believe) candid shot of a disappointed person... very touching...... sorry I can't come up with another descriptive.. I was moved..

Such a great song by such a great band. I only regret not discovering them sooner

4:00 Singing along and why not?

what a beautiful song

Dull and dreary.

Maybe the spice girls is more your thing?

How can anyone not like this? Pure poetry

Love his Manchester accent. Makes me proud to be British

Love you (P)

Best elbow song bar none!

Beautiful song.

Absolutely love Guy Garvey's lyrics

Genius.

"If we only pass this way but once, what a perfect waste of time..." Hear Hear!!!

Good vibe....feel happy while I'm sad....simply Nostalgia....Tnx guys

the music is so smooth and relaxing. it's not boring but it's exiting but still really soothing. i just love elbow!

This is one of my favourite songs. I used to play it for my mates at the end of a session in our first years as doctors. Interested to know though, anyone else feel there's a bit of a disconnect between the lyrics and the video?

the fact that it's about football disappointed me no end when I found out although I still do love the song

yeh massive disconnect- always loved the song and came here to see if the video was equally as impressive. That video could really have just been put with any song :/

revol148 it's not about football. Sad captains is a line from Shakespeare and it's about leaving family behind to go and play music with bandmates. The choice they made, over work and university etc etc... A happy choice but acknowledgement that they miss things too.

So beautiful

This is a beautiful and mesmerizing song, but you do know it's about a losing season for futbol fans. It's their soccer team failing their long forgotten fans. Nevertheless, it has become one of my favorites thanks to their Jools Holland appearance.

Guy could sing about how to unclog a toilet and it would still be achingly glorious

well said

А мне на фиг ваше старее!

F vyt yf abu lj dfituj 80-u0 uolf wbahjdsdfybt - ckeifqnt cfvb dfit cnfhmt z1

Wonderful, just wonderful...

Esme you are spool cute

class enough said

Esme, you were amazing

Aww it made me cry watching my BFF when she was little u was so cute

I'm in this video

Im also In it

Im Anna

@Anna 2365 Esme, Evie and Anna... Thank you all. It's a gorgeous song, and a wonderful video that shows how the simple everyday things in our lives can be beautiful. I hope y'all treasure your memories of being there as you go through your lives.

Esmé, Evie and Anna so am I

*im also in it

In tears listening to this....Amazing

picky72 always gets me too. Don't really know why. Seems to sum up the beauty and desperation of everyday life in one song

picky72 Me too. Pair of old softies pal😉

Phew!!! I saw them live at Thetford Forest 2 weeks ago and when Guy Garvey started singing this i was gone. I don't know what it is but the song is just beautiful. I never ever tire of hearing this and gets me every time. So... So.. glad i am not the only one.

Neil Bowers You aren’t and I’m happy when i see men feeling the vibe. I read some one call it a girly band. I think they are still headbangers or aren’t in touch with their entire character- one that caube sensitive. Elbow has hints of blues and jazz.

never made a bad song - an amazing band

Simply Stunning, thank you,thank you,thank you

4 minutes, 13 seconds... "What a perfect waste of time".

Lovely sound - I like how this song makes me feel...mellow and smiling :)

What a beautiful,sumptious ,moving song,soul music.

When I'm a little bit disappointed or tired with my life I watch this video and I feel much better instantly.

Ninzip me too

Lippy Kids for me but same reason I go there

Help! I can’t find anything to ease my soul or touch me like Elbow!! Suggestions?

I was in in

Stunning. Beautiful. Brilliant.

I'm obsessed with this song! Absolutely love it

need more views

So Moving, and so many memories

This song needs more view!

Beautiful

Guy's voice is magnificent!

A DORSEY (she says) hahahah get it , I listen to elbow way too much

Loving this song😅

the video's really sweet :) saturday morning ballet class with mums, dads, younger brothers messing around at the back :p 

I'm running out of miracles
​Oh my soul
​And the streets are lined with one-man shows
​Oh my soul
​Corner boys were moved along
​Oh my soul
​We're plummeting like crippled crows
​Oh my soul
​
​Oh, long before
​You and I were born
​Others beat these benches with their empty cups
​To the night and the stars
​To be here, and now, and who we are
​
​Another sunrise with my sad captains
​With who I choose to lose my mind
​And if it's all we only pass this way but once
​What a perfect waste of time
​
​The BMX apothecary
Oh my soul
The architect of infamy
Oh my soul
For each and every train we missed
Oh my soul
A bitter little Eucharist

Oh, long before
You and I were born
Others beat these benches with their empty cups
To the night and the stars
​To be here, and now, and who we are

Another sunrise with my sad captains
​With who I choose to lose my mind
​And if it's all we only come this way but once
​What a perfect waste of time

Another sunrise with my sad captains
With who I choose to lose my mind
And if it's all we only pass this way but once
What a perfect waste of time

What a perfect waste of time

What a perfect waste of time

DarkNeckrowSilence thanks so much for typing that. I was reading it as the song was going and it had a poignancy I’ve never experienced!!!!

Oh my salt

bad bad tune - for insomniacs only

Amazing song and a testament to the amazing over the top talent of these artists. Elbow's "Sad Captains" is a masterpiece!!  The absolute perfect waste of time my friends.

and my big sister

Omg my dance school and little sister is in this video

Took me a while to get this. But when done, yes. It's beautiful. What a perfect waste of time.

A perfect reflection of my life in the 90's
Back then we had our own "BMX apothecary" and his bag of bitter little eucarists.
We are all older and wiser now but for me it captures the Sunday morning 6am walk from club to car.
Exhausted.deshevilled but would'nt be anywhere else with anyone else.

What is a perfect waste of time? Is it the times spent with male friends, or what is shown in this video? I am one of the sad captains, and have no children, but unlike the man reading the newspaper, I am fully aware of how beautiful it is to spend time with your children. Watching them sprall about is perhaps a better option than getting drunk to all hours with male companions. It is, perhaps, a perfect waste of time. Beautiful video!

I would say it's spending time with your mates, but that's just me. It's how I relate to the song anyway.

this is my new favourite song from elbow. And the he video is so cute!

Pure joy

Wonderful band.

love this song and the vocals in that lovely north of england voice and accent- no mid-atlantic shite here. One Day like This with orchestra and choir is bloody beautiful as well.

I'm your biggest fan in Taiwan, thanks for the great music you made!!!

The Late Show Starring Jimmy Fallon had Elbow on recently. I'm so grateful! Digging deeper now. Wonderfulness!

Same here heard the name ages ago, liked what i heard, then i forgot, but when i remembered again! and looked them up!I knew i had just found a friend for life.

Saw them in Nottingham - truly brilliant! This song done live..I was lost for words

I occasionally get goose pimples for a few seconds all over my body when I listen to a great tune, but with this it lasts all the way through the song! beautifully written and great live, watch (Jools Holland live)  The lyrics are so touching and well structured. 

Lovin this song.

I've always heard the name Elbow, and as far as i can remember, they've been around a long time but i never really checked them out. Actually i heard Jimi Goodwin is gonna support them this year on tour and i'm a bug Doves fan, so that's how i got here. So can anybody suggest some of their songs that made them big? Some early stuff that made waves and some in the middle of their career so i can tap into their roots and see what they're about? Any suggestions are welcome, thanks folks, it's truly appreciated.

Oh & I forgot to say, Guy Garvey & Jimi Goodwin go a long long way back (i.e. Goodwin's Sub Sub days) & Goodwin also features on Elbow's track Grace Under Pressure (another belter of a tune ;) )

All of their albums are great, except cast of thousands which is alright but has some good moments. IMO:
Asleep in the back - 8/10
Cast of thousands -6/10
Leaders of the Free World - 9/10
The Seldom Seen Kid - 10/10
Build a Rocket Boys! - 7/10
The Take off and landing of everything - 8/10

@Context81 cast of thousands is a 10 you should listen to it again haha

Good picks @ajax fabax, you've basically picked my favourites. Although i'd have to add 'Lippy Kids' and 'Friend of Ours' to your list too.

Ooooh, how could I have missed that out! Fair point :)

heard them tuesday night in minneapolis. i wept when i heard this; lot my grandfather, 98, a week go to the day. the song evoked such strong memories of a strong, amazing man. what a perfect waste of time.

Yes, let us not waste another minute. I just want you for all times.

let me go home

Can't wait to see you guys in Positivus. <3

<3 LOVE THIS SONG! & The VIDEO! :') REALLY WISHING I could get to your show in Chi~Town on Monday! 

x原始点

song so depressing tho.

I loved the song but what was weird was when they where getting there dance class and were pointing there feet perfectly but then when they got to the recital they sucked it looked like they were free styleing it

It is boring ....... But more or less beautiful

Love Violetta It is not boring because it is beautiful.

this.... sans... haved much talenta...
i like this...

Schitterend.

I don't mind admitting that this song made me cry when I saw them play it in Glasgow.  One of their best.

ILOVEYOU♥♥

My girlfriend just said that she is with another from now on.
But Elbow, this song helps me so much now, thank you.

Got to say I find Elbow okay and nothing more but this song blew me away...beautiful

I love this one
​And if it's all we only pass this way but once
​What a perfect waste of time

I love you, Elbow!

2:46 - the girl on the left is singing along... right?

I saw Elbow live a few weeks ago and when they played this it was so emotional. Mind you, I welled up during half the songs. XD

Glad its not just me! :D

I saw them at the LG Arena in Birmingham. This came on and wow! Tears in the eyes. Not often song lyrics get to me yet Elbow's seem to get right down to the soul and beyond. I am welling up just typing this (mainly because i am listening to this as well)

I saw them in Birmingham too! Fabulous venue!

Just when I thought I had this song worked out, this gets thrown in. More pondering needed.

To the night and the stars
​To be here, and now, and who we are