That's a line from the Norah Jones song Sinkin'
Soon from her CD called Not Too Late. Did she perhaps have a premonition of the financial debacle we're going thru? Just read the lyrics, and see if they don't fit. I think they do. In fact, that line about the captain who's too proud to say he dropped the oar seems right on target.
Besides that, I recommend the CD. I have it.