Bones in the Ocean

This page is about the song. For the EP of the same title, click here.

A haunting song about death and survivor's guilt, and the titular track of the Longest Johns' first EP, Bones in the Ocean. This song is a Longest Johns original, written by Dave Robinson. It features a chorus which changes lyrics in each repetition, adding a layer of complexity and depth to the subject matter.

The song was announced as the subject of the next community video project on 2 Aug 2024; submissions were accepted through the end of October, with 1086 received. It was released on YouTube on 29 January 2025.

Lyrics[]

From the lyrics sheet included with the vinyl release.

Oh, I bid farewell to the port and the land
And I paddle away from brave England's white sands
To search for my long ago forgotten friends
To search for the place I hear all sailors end

As the souls of the dead fill the space of my mind
I'll search without sleeping 'til peace I can find
I fear not the weather, I fear not the sea
I remember the fallen, do they think of me?
When their bones in the ocean forever will be

Plot a course to the night, to a place I once knew
To a place where my hope died along with my crew
So I swallow my grief and face life's final test
To find promise of peace and the solace of rest

As the souls of the dead fill the space of my ears
Their laughter like children, their beckoning cheers
My heart longs to join them, sing songs of the sea
I remember the fallen, do they think of me?
When their bones in the ocean forever will be

When at last before my ghostly shipmates I stand
I shed a small tear for my home upon land
Though their eyes speak of deaths filled with struggle and strife
Their smiles below say I don't owe them my life

As the souls of the dead fill the space of my eyes
And my boat listed over and tried to capsize
I'm this far from drowning, this far from the sea
I remember the living, do they think of me?
When my bones in the ocean forever will be

Now that I'm staring down at the darkest abyss
I'm not sure what I want, but I don't think it's this
As my comrades call to stand fast and forge on
I make sail for the dawn 'til the darkness has gone

As the souls of the dead live fore'er in my mind
As I live all the years that they left me behind
I'll stay on the shore but still gaze at the sea
I remember the fallen and they think of me
For our souls in the ocean together will be

I remember the fallen and they think of me
for our souls in the ocean together will be

Recordings[]

Streaming/Purchase[]

Original EP version

Commodore 1864 version

Made of Ale version

10 Year Anniversary Edition - 2023 arrangement

10 Year Anniversary Edition - Remixed

Bones in the Ocean

Contents

Lyrics[]

Recordings[]

Streaming/Purchase[]

YouTube Videos[]

Gig Videos[]

Full Band Streams[]

Chill Streams[]

Gaming Streams[]