Shirtsleeves Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I can taste salt water
And if I blink again, you'll be sinkin' in
So we'll learn to swim in the oceans you made

I'll hold ya and you think of him
And pretty soon, you'll be floating away

[Pre-Chorus]
And I'll hold on to the words you spoke of
Anchored down in my throat, love
And I'm captain of the sinking boat now
With just one armband to carry me home

[Chorus]
When salted tears won't dry
I'll wipe my shirtsleeves under your eyes
These hearts will be flooded tonight
I'll wipe my shirtsleeves under your eyes
Your eyes, your eyes, your eyes, your eyes, your eyes

[Verse 2]
I still taste salt water
On my lips from your kiss of bitterness

And I'll drown within the oceans you made
And I hate to love you, these cuffs are covered in your make-up
I'll never trust you again, you can just be a friend
[Pre-Chorus]
And I'll hold on to the words you spoke of
Anchored down in my throat, love
And I'm captain of the sinking boat now
With just one armband to carry me home

[Chorus]
When salted tears won't dry
I'll wipe my shirtsleeves under your eyes
These hearts will be flooded tonight
I'll wipe my shirtsleeves under your eyes

[Bridge]
Your eyes, your lips, your mouth
Your thighs, your back, you drive me wild
Tonight, the fact is I, I'm on my way home
I'm on the way home, I lied, I tried to cry
But I'm, I'm drownin' in the oceans you made


[Chorus]
When salted tears won't dry
I'll wipe my shirtsleeves under your eyes
These hearts will be flooded tonight
I'll wipe my shirtsleeves under your eyes
Your eyes, your eyes, your eyes, your eyes, your eyes

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About

Genius Annotation

This low-key ballad was featured on the deluxe edition of X and revolves around a metaphor of tears and the sea.

It was premiered on MTV on June 20th 2014. It seems the track had been in development for a long time as Ed originally tweeted the lyrics back in 2011:
https://twitter.com/edsheeran/status/107556970373988353

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Copyright ©
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Programmer
Assistant Engineer
Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Electric Guitar Solo
Percussion
Mastering Engineer
Recorded At
Sticky Studios, Surrey, UK
Release Date
June 20, 2014
Shirtsleeves Samples
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