Quote Originally Posted by paulb
The "ship coming in" is fairly uncommon also. I see it more in songs than anywhere else.

Today, you're probably more likely to hear: "When I win the lottery ... "

Although there is a subtle difference. Someone who talks about winning the lottery is joking; they don't really expect to win it. Someone waiting for their "ship to come in" usually thinks they've had a run of bad luck and that something is bound to happen soon to change all that.