[Verse 1]
A young American sailor on a foreign shore
There to serve his country in time of war
Walks to the dock every morning
And waits for the ships to come in
Wishin' he was the stamp on the letter he's mailing home
So he could soon be back in her arms again

[Chorus]
Instead of feeling like a ship in a bottle
Tryin' to get out and sail away
Like a ship in a bottle
Tryin' to get out and sail away

[Verse 2]
And she was an entertainer back home in Alabama
Playing "Angel from Montgomery" in the Holiday Inns
From Mobile up to Birmingham
And the picture on her piano went with her every night to her room
And slept on the pillow beside her
While she lay awake thinkin' about her sailor
Nine months away across the waters in June

[Chorus]
Feeling like a ship in a bottle
Tryin' to get out and sail away
Like a ship in a bottle
Tryin' to get out and sail away
[Bridge]
(Sail away) Someday they're gonna be together
(Sail away) One day they won't be oceans apart
(Sail away) Every day seems like forever when you're in love
And not with your love
You ought to be with the one you love

[Verse 3]
A young American sailor home from the war
Lies on a blanket with his new bride
As the southern sun is sinking on the Gulf Coast shore
And sealed in an empty champagne bottle
A note containing both of their names
Is sent for a ride on the evening tide
And the note read, "The ship has sailed away"

[Outro]
Sailed away (Sailed away)
Sailed away (Sailed away)
Sailed away (Sailed away)
Sailed away (Sailed away)