Bones in the Ocean (2023 Special Edition)

Re-Recorded in 2023 with all current and previous members of The Longest Johns all together for the first time! Physical copies on vinyl and cd available to order from our Kickstarter for our brand new album, Voyage.

Andy Yates
Anna Cornish
Dave Robinson
Jonathan “JD” Darley
Josh Bowker
Robbie Sattin

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The Longest Johns

[stvnovd]

One of the most beautiful sea shanties written in history. The depth, the emotion, absolutely amazing.

[dictatorjames]

I accidentally gave my Grandpa the Covid that killed him when he came to visit me at college before I knew I was sick. This song always helps me come back when I have the darker thoughts. So thanks for helping me stay strong.

[braydenputt]

I've said it in other 2023 remasters: these songs went from crewmates on their boat, to having a party at the tavern while at port. All the former members moving on, and current members ready to go back out. It's such a great symbolism whether intentional or not

[tylermanzello]

Lyrics:

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 till 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 till 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

[Cry_Havoc]

What is so extraordinary is that this song, from your very first recording, is already from such a mature songwriter and singers. And still, a decade later, it still speaks to the heart and soul. It's changed as I have, and I know that every song of yours - funny or solemn or sober or delighted - will mean just as much to me ten years from now, message eternal as my life changes. You are truly extraordinary, and this re-recording, with all six voices, is beautiful beyond compare. ADEQUATE! STOMP!

[davide]

I've been singing this at the Lviv Volunteer Kitchen serving the Ukrainian Army in their it is a tremendous song to remind us of the loss of our friends and the pain those of us who go on have to beautiful song...

[Ravenomics]

Goodness. The little bit of wavering at 2:23 kicked me in the feels.

[Harmonica]

Sex is temporary. Friendship is eternal.

[ButovaTheStuntman]

Ah yes, the song I remember listening to most at school during quarantine. There’s something about the isolating atmosphere of the lone survivor of a shipwreck just at home with 2020 for me. You guys killed it as usual and I can’t thank y’all enough for providing some of my favorite tunes for the past 4 years!

[ToasterBath]

Brings me to tears everytime, bravo gentlemen truly.

Survivors guilt is one hell of a demon. To anybody out there struggling, let me tell you are anything but alone sailor.
Sail on... The dawn awaits you friend.

[nikknight]

This is my number one favorite sea shanty, period. I wanted to let you guys know that I loved this song so much that I began to write a book about a pirate who suffers visions of her lost crew after a battle at sea. I've been working on this book on and off for the past three years, and I'm about 1/2 way done with it at about 54, 000 words.

To hear this version again is so perfect; it makes me want to get right back into writing.
If I ever get this thing published, I'll make sure to add you guys in the dedication.

Thanks for all the beautiful music, guys, and may all *our souls filled with song here forever be free.*

[TheRealSkeletor]

So good to hear all the members back together again, though this version is missing some of the full range of the original's harmonies.

[Crazypt]

A toast to all my Fellow sailors on the Eternal Patrol. Gone, but never Forgotten.

[blubberdust]

Coming back to this song after a few years in a seafaring service. Those in similar stations know that suicide is far too common, I've seen a steady 2-3 a year in neighboring units (not ones I've been at, fortunately, though my current station suffered a loss shortly before I got here).

This song is especially poignant to me. It's hard not to bare the weight of the losses, all the while wondering if this darkness will also take you one day. I come back to this when I need a clear bearing. Thank you.

[jaewol]

One of my favorite songs by you guys. Legitimately gave me chills the first couple times I listened to it.

[Pseudowolf]

Absolutely as beautiful as the first time I heard it. One of the best songs about survivor's guilt and a person going through that grief and loss but coming out the other side of it.
I really love how the lyrics at 1:20 shift from the singer's guilt to realizing that his crewmates wouldn't want him to throw his life away and he starts thinking about the living who care about him and how he'd be laying the same grief upon them. And I always ALWAYS get choked up at 2:00 where the pace slows and the singer realizes he does want to live and pushes on "for the dawn, til the darkness has gone"

[stephengalindo]

A several people near and dear to me suffer from PTSD and have stared at the darkest abyss. Thank you so much for beautifully putting words the emotions that can accompany survivor's guilt.
This has helped renew my desire to get into veterans counseling. I start my master's in clinical counseling in a few months!

[EvilPaladin]

It puts a tear on my cheek, and a lump in my throat.
Just like the first time I heard the original.
Your performance is haunting, and this song hurts so good.🥹
I love it.🥹

[TrevorMelbourne-efin]

The only song my WASP father wanted played at his memorial. He was many things, but perhaps nothing more than a waterman with Anglo sensibilities. This song sublime and perfect. Thank you 🙏🏻 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇺🇸

[LtGhost-tbkq]

This song began me journey into folk music, sea shanties and Irish trad. I sincerely thank you, lads (and lass). Beautiful song and I will always remember it for the joy it's brought me.