(Sitting On) The Dock Of A Bay Lyrics
Otis Redding
Lyrics
Sittin' in the morning sun
I'll be sittin' when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
Then I watch them roll away again, yeah
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the Frisco Bay
'Cuz I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothing's gonna come my way
So, I'm just gon' sit on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, wooh
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
Looks like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, just
Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone, listen
Two thousand miles I roam
Just to make this dock my home, now
I'm just gon' sit at the dock of a bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
Song & Lyrics Facts
Otis Redding's "(Sitting on) The Dock of a Bay" is one of the most iconic soul songs of all time. Released in 1967, it was written by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper and recorded at Stax Studios with Booker T & The MG's as the backing band.
It featured on Redding's posthumous album The Dock of the Bay, released in January 1968. The lyrics tell the story of someone sitting on a dock watching the tide roll away, wishing they could do the same. The song has been covered by many artists over the years and its timeless melody, simple instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics continue to be celebrated today.