"Todd's Ship Gods (Above All Things)" is a song by Type O Negative, included on their sixth album Life Is Killing Me, released in 2003. The song contains Rush-like elements in them. It is about Steele's father Todd and the title is named after the shipyard Todd worked in. The first 24 seconds of this track has sounds of eagles and a ship horn recorded from the aforementioned shipyard in Brooklyn not far from the studio where this song and the album were recorded. The most repeated phrase in the lyrics is "I won't cry - Above all things boy, be a man", which is sung nine times, including the last seven lines right before the song ends.
There is a fan-made music video for this song.
Lyrics
Grease, sweat, coffee, faded shipyard pictures Giant living there I used to know Author of the testosterone scriptures Where did you go? Now I remember what he told me that time Falling from my bike, scraping my knee: "If you're gonna weep, keep it from sunshine, so no one sees" [Choir] I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man" I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man" See little boy hiding amongst shadows Ashamed of tears exposing ancient pain From the storms predicted by the Tarot: Pray for the rain [Choir] I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man" I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man" I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man" I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man" [Choir] I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man" I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man" I won't cry - "Above all things boy, be a man"
Play this song on YouTube.
Personnel
- Performers
- Peter Steele – lead vocals, bass
- Josh Silver – keyboards, effects, backing vocals
- Kenny Hickey – guitar, backing vocals, choirs
- Johnny Kelly – drums
- Production
- Written by Peter Steele
- Engineered by Josh Silver and Mike Marciano
- Mixed by Josh Silver, Peter Steele and Mike Marciano
- Mastered by George Marino
- Produced by Josh Silver and Peter Steele