Retirement Song

The fourth track of the album  Bones in the Ocean and a Longest Johns original, Retirement Song was written by Josh Bowker.

Contrary to the common themes of most sailing songs, this song takes a page out of "Marching Inland" and "Off to Sea", engaging with the idea of just staying home.

Lyrics
{Robbie} I've been roaming all my life and now I've found a lady wife, (I'm staying... right here!) Oh I won't go sailing any more I won't obey the ocean's call, (I'm staying... right here!) {Chorus} I'll be a man of the land I'll be a man of the trees I'll be a man wherever my woman will be I won't be any captain's mate I won't be servant of the seas 'cause this pretty little woman is all I need At 14 I was cabin boy to fearsome Captain Buckleroy (I'm staying... right here!) When I was sick he ordered cat 'o nine, until I said that I felt fine (I'm staying... right here!) {Chorus} At 20 I manned our crow's nest and captain said I was the best (I'm staying... right here!) But I nearly lost my eyes to God just lookin' out for old Cape Cod (I'm staying... right here!) {Chorus} At 25 no man alive could match my skill for gunnin' (I'm staying... right here!) But the Captain he got drunk one night and sank the blasted cannon (I'm staying... right here!) {Chorus} Captain died at twenty eight and by then I was his first mate (I'm staying... right here!) Well they tried to give me his command but I was hungry for the land (I'm staying... right here!) {Chorus} Stepped ashore at Felixstowe and made for Bristol by the road (I'm staying... right here!) Well I fell in love when first I saw her Avon County's finest daughter... And now she's got me staying Right here (a-way!) {Chorus til Finish}