Words David Crosby; Lyrics Craig Doerge
copyright 1977 Staysail Music, BMI/Fair Star Music, Inc, ASCAP

Oh, captain, what are we hiding from?
You've been hiding from the start
Did some lover steal your heart,
Or did the full moon make you mad?
Oh, captain, why these speechless seas
That never seem to land?
Oh I need to understand
Could a little light be that bad?
I can see your hands are roughened
By the wheel and the rope
I'd like to look to you for hope,
I think it's hiding there
This boat is blacked out like a city
Awaiting bombers in the night
Oh you hold your helm so tight,
And yet the sky seems so fair
Who guides this ship
Dreaming through the seas
Turning and searching,
Whichever way you please?
Speak to me, I need to see your face,
Shadowy captain, in a darkened space
If I were to spy a city
Floating just above the sea,
Could we stop
And look for me
Among those playing on the pier?
Or would you turn away knowing,
It was still a ways away,
And if I was there today
you could not see me all that clear
Shadowy captain of a charcoal ship,
Trying to give the light the slip

Crosby, Stills, Nash - Vocals
Stephen Stills - Electric and Slide Guitar
Craig Doerge - Acoustic and Electric Piano
Russ Kunkel - Drums, Congas
George Perry - Bass
Joe Vitale - Organ, Flute