When The Music's Over

Song Lyrics + Meaning: The Crystal Ship

Origin: The Crystal Ship by the Doors originated from a poem written by Jim Morrison. The poem was written shortly after Morrison split from then girlfriend, Mary Werbelow. Though many think the song represents the use of drugs, it actual has nothing to do with drugs. Instead, it is about Morrison's relationship with his "first true love."

Lyrics:

Before you slip into unconsciousness
I'd like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss

The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane
We'll meet again, we'll meet again

Oh tell me where your freedom lies
The streets are fields that never die
Deliver me from reasons why
You'd rather cry, I'd rather fly

The crystal ship is being filled
A thousand girls, a thousand thrills
A million ways to spend your time
When we get back, I'll drop a line

Meaning:

(Before you slip into unconsciousness
I'd like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss)

The first few lyrics of the song begins a story. A lover (Mary Werbelow) leaves a man (Jim Morrison) due to their love dying out. All he has left to remember is the memory of his seemingly perfect relationship, the memory of his "first true love." He deeply wants to share another kiss with her, he doesn't want it all to end. He wants a reminder of the bliss he felt during the relationship.

(The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane
We'll meet again, we'll meet again)

Although he feels the pain of their breakup, he has positive things going on in his life. He still has hope that they will be able to rekindle their relationship, though it isn't realistic that they would. The time they spent together was hectic, too insane. He believes they can meet again, though they have gone their separate ways.

(Oh tell me where your freedom lies
The streets are fields that never die
Deliver me from reasons why
You'd rather cry, I'd rather fly)

She wanted freedom, so she broke up with him. She found "the streets," otherwise known as a place where she could share all types of relationships with other men. The men aren't as reliable as the man that truly loves her. The other relationships she had led to nowhere. He asks if she can spare him from their broken relationship. He knows the true meaning of their breakup. Unlike her, he'd rather spend his time working on becoming successful instead of sobbing.

(The crystal ship is being filled
A thousand girls, a thousand thrills
A million ways to spend your time
When we get back, I'll drop a line)

The man (Jim) turns his life of sorrow into a life of fame and success. He has found his happiness in a band called The Doors.