Bones in the Ocean - The Longest Johns (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

Bones in the Ocean - The Longest Johns (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins
MY LINKS: linktr.ee/Sethswatkinsmusic
This is one of my favorite modern sea shanties written by the very talented member of The Longest Johns, Dave Robinson.
It is a melancholy song about death and a survivor's guilt, and the eponymous track of the Longest Johns' first EP of the same name.
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 '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 songs 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 depths 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 for'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

[@gateway8833]

I spent 30 years as a U.S. Marine, 13 years on Sea Duty. This song reminds me of my Comrades and Shipments. Thank you Seth, another superb song.

[@tigrex3622]

Thank you and your comrades for your service.And im not even from U.S but glad this song brings you good memories

[@josiahmyers446]

Rah sir. I hope your doing well now days. You have any advice for a junior marine?

[@benphillips9229]

Thank you for your service and SEMPER FI

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Thank you friend

[@HTMLguruLady2]

Thank you for your service Sir. Semper Fi

[@northernthunder7894]

For someone who Fished in the Straits of the Arctic Circle and whom has lost crewmates who have fallen overboard. Lars Stalgilllson 1983-2018 Thank you for the memories Brother

[@OrdoBarabas]

"As i live all the years that they left me behind" Still hurts to hear, because i'm still here and my younger brother isn't. He took his last ride in 2013, with great love for his platoon mates, enough that i was told that even with wounds that should have killed him minutes earlier, he pulled as many of his friends out their vehicle as he could after it was rocked by the blast from a roadside bomb. I'll always love you Tommy and i hope i did you proud as an older brother.

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Thank you for sharing friend. I'm sure you have done.

[@ginnyweasly8464]

I‘m so sorry. I‘m sure, you made him so proud❤

[@NaraClanGaming]

That line guts me every time. Makes me think of those ive lost along the way

[@commanderhindsight1633]

"Though their eyes speak of doubts, filled with struggle and strife, their smiles below say I don't owe them my life" Every person struggling with Survivor's Guilt needs to hear this line.

[@menyou1443]

This really struck me hard… so needed

[@nickyboy22071989]

Deaths*

[@jimmyhendarta8851]

@@nickyboy22071989 *depths

[@combatwombat1543]

That line has saved me many times

[@plaer3547]

Hey, you realize that that’s what the song is about? Not to be rude though.

[@jackierama]

I heard this a few days before hearing that my godfather had passed away. He was a lighthouse keeper with a unique sense of humour, and it still doesn't feel quite real that he's no longer with us. This song was going through my head through his funeral and after.

[@grimreminder5038]

This just brings to mind the folks that I lost at sea in my short time in the Navy, "I remember the fallen, do they think of me?" just resonates the most for someone who's heard the song, the stories from others accounts and thought nothing more would come from it

[@colestell2175]

I'm not a sailor but my dad was in the US navy never met him but this song touches something deep down. My ancestors were norse so being on boats and ships is in my blood. Guy has an amazing voice.

[@mykaelboykin4905]

[Slow clap] As a fan of both you and the longest johns, you did damn good. or as TLJ would say "adequate".

[@90geekgirl06]

aaaaaand now I'm crying.

[@flibbernodgets7018]

This song always makes me cry. I've had way too many near-death experiences, once even at the mercy of the tide as a small child. It reminds me of that terrible feeling of helplessness and regret you feel when there's nothing more you can do but so much you've left undone.

[@menyou1443]

💜💜💜 I feel this absolutely firsthand. So much trauma I live with, so I know that feeling all too well; hugs💜💜💜

[@justinswinehart6745]

Just got back from a deployment and was feeling kinda lonely, songs like this kinda help.

[@menyou1443]

Yes!!! We need a crew of Seths!!! So important(: I suffer from survivor’s guilt so this resonates with me on a very personal level. You do it such justice… Thank you for giving me so much of your spare time and extra mile in a three minute piece. I really need your [prayers but really your] music lately. Late September starts the lowest month of my life and you are really helping me. I need a hug, but listening to you feels much the same…

[@admiral-zori]

This song hurts in all the right places. His cover is raw, emotional and haunting, even without accompaniment. This will forever be a favorite.

[@kennethcooper8518]

Definitely hits all the right and beauty of the life at sea. I miss my brothers, but I know we'll meet again in Fiddlers Green.

[@jamesholtz530]

This has me in a chokehold I have listened at least 25 times

[@menyou1443]

I have a bad migraine today, and I’m curled up on the couch in agony. I can’t speak or move. But your comforting, comforting voice full of love is soothing me through this, and making some of the pain disappear (if only for a moment). Thank you my guy.

[@calebmurphy9406]

When you've listened to Bones In the Ocean for the 4,596th time and need something to spruce it up. I love all the slight variations he does in his cadence and delivery of the lyrics.

[@NoctecPaladin]

Well I didn't have bawling my eyes out on my itinerary today but KZbin decided I gotta. Can't wait to listen

[@zacharyharwell351]

For some reason I feel like a cover of this with Seth and Colm Mcguinness would be AWESOME; even so, this version is currently my favorite version of this song

[@icekoldgamer3174]

God its so beautiful, my favorite TLJ song sung by my favorite cover artist. *chefs kiss*

[@2thomask]

Rip the crew of the el-faro 2015 all hands were lost

[@dudeproductions5394]

This is awesome. I think you should sing it with the Longest John's you all would have an amazing harmony.

[@Nobert594]

100% agree

[@WaynettePorter]

A cover of one of my favorite TLJ songs? Great job as always. Their version of "Crossing the Bar", Tennyson's poem, would be a good companion.

[@nicoleshepard5385]

This song has such a strong grasp on my soul in the best of ways 🥰

[@hughmunford7297]

One of my favourite shanties sung by one of my favourite artists: a truly beautiful rendition of a heartstring-tugging song. I think your voice really suits this, giving it a both light hearted and heavy hearted feel simultaneously somehow: I can imagine it being sung in a tavern like this. Keep up the great work!

[@gregkral4467]

You certainly do the song justice, good sir. Thank you for your gift.

[@dotto4807]

Let's goo! Bones in the ocean is the best longest John's song and it been beautifully renditioned here. Thanks so much!

[@missagronaut705]

Ever since you made a tiktok about this song, I have been hoping for a full cover! Fantastic work! :)

[@nightgod555]

When are your covers going to come to Spotify? There's so many of them I wanna listen to outside of KZbin.

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Working on it! Lots more will be up before the year is out!

[@coolstorybrooooo7643]

@@sethstatonwatkins Please get this one on spotify asap please

[@juliefinley2765]

Dude, that was great! One of my favorite folk songs and this cover was just the best. So glad you were able to do this one.

[@StillUseless1939]

Everywhere I go, I see his covers

[@kennethcooper8518]

Rest your oars, brothers and sisters. We have the watch. 🫡

[@ragintexan1]

My absolute favorite sea shanty and you did it justice! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ethansmith2220]

This needs a spotify upload, man

[@Rrss369]

It’s there now !!!

[@lindseychaps21]

this is my favorite sea shanty ever, thank you!

[@houdiniairsoft157]

This haunting beauty that just sits like fog in the music... beautiful song and well sung. I resonate with that struggle to go on and finding renewed purpose.

[@apexbrachydios5385]

I love every version of this song, the more the better

[@disconnected7737]

YEEEEAAAAAAH

[@13legomania]

Beautifully sung. Thank you. This song always struck me as being about survivors guilt. I might not be a sailor who’s lost someone at sea, but I know that feeling… I miss you dad. I wish I had better memories of you and I’m sorry I couldn’t do more…

[@menyou1443]

It is largely about survivor’s guilt… I feel this comment with all my heart💜💜💜 Know that there was nothing more you could have done-it’s not your fault; it never was, and it never will be, but it feels so much like it, I know… everything you’re feeling is valid and so are you💜💜💜 I hope you continue to take the time and resources you need to keep coping healthily and feel fully when you need to… You did what you needed to, to get through less than ideal circumstances; you did the best you could and that’s enough… that’s good enough. YOU are good enough; you don’t need to be perfect or do more to be worthy of love and the space that you “take”. As I tell my niece: you are worthy NOW; you are enough NOW; you are valuable NOW; you are loved NOW… don’t wait to only take and accept what you deserve… I hope that you have support and compassion and that you know that you are worthy of it, even if you were not innocent in your relationship with him… death has a way of making peace of it all-and I hope (believe) in his own way that he is proud to know you and has forgiven you for all… you have a purpose and it’s so much greater than the person you were with your dad… there’s more to your picture and purpose than the lows and shadows. You can still honor the lost if they weren’t kind to you… in passing there is no ill will, but in the end, only peace, and joy, and solace-and the living are forced to go seek them through our stormy seas. Their smiles below (which does NOT mean they’re in torture or in hell) tell us they are alright now, no matter what happened to them that their eyes replay… they are a projector, not a present state… they feel an overwhelming joy and hope and love at all the suffering that’s been erased-and they’re smiling; they’re giving us, the living, permission to carry on, to sail on, to not live our lives longing to join them, as it won’t be long until we are together in the scheme of things… I hope that you find calmer waters, friend… peace can find you while you’re still asea and least expecting it, amid the torrents… 💜💜💜

[@okayheykae]

Oh yay I love this song and this is going on repeat!

[@turbofan9801]

YES!! I've been waiting for a cover of this song hoping you'd do a full one and here it is woohoo!!

[@PhillipKunze]

* 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 songs 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 depths 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 for'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 *

[@Riverratskippy]

I have listened to many of these thinking you would do a great version. It is always great when you do. This is my kind of music

[@RogueSith07]

This is outstanding Seth! Please keep it up you're so godamn talented

[@Spartenh18]

Cant wait for this to make its way to spotify

[@Atlazuko]

I love this song it depicts how survior's guilt is like. And that you can overcome it but you have to understand you can and it's not wrong to do so and you are not a monster for surviving for living through something horrible. that you are not at fault for surviving and coming to terms with that. it's a sad song but at the same time it's not. the person in this song struggled but at the end realized that he didn't need to die to atone for a crime he was never guilty of. to me the song repersents healing and i love it so much.

[@nickyboy22071989]

Former navy here. This song resonates deeply within me, having lost friends to the sea and unfortunately some of them by their own hands.

[@JennasHoover]

Another awesome TLJ song! 🥰 But I would love to see a cover of Down and Drowned.

[@persianprince6213]

Masterly Vocals Seth! Bravo!

[@patrickbartone3327]

...wow. Phenomenal cover.

[@Nobert594]

this was one of my favorite songs a few years ago and you 1000% did it justice

[@kimberlymichelle1188]

OMG!!! I love this song and have been waiting for you to cover this one! Such a beautiful cover.

[@sealteamtwix]

Glorious seth as always

[@repivci]

This is criminal. This man only has 34k followers and less than 100 comments on this.

[@taa347]

I live for these

[@frank-kj8gn]

I've heard a few versions of this and yours is by far the best- it's the most satisfying for me to sing along in my own vocal range, it's the best to hear your little trill at the end of some of the lines and verses- it's just the best. I love all of your videos but this one is my favorite

[@krat0us]

Keep cranking them out Seth

[@ProfesoraNut]

This is gorgeous!!! You did so well. I have chills!

[@Rrss369]

So good! Love the Ending! Love your sea shanties!

[@AnalogStar197]

Thank you so much for covering one of my favorite shanties, ahhh!! I love it!

[@deadbrother5355]

You killed it bro. It rivals the original.

[@johnholloway6220]

This is so beautiful!

[@Kothlim]

Beautifully done. The sorrowful tone is perfect.

[@user-hh1gb7cc2k]

Thank you Seth. This one hits the depths. ❤

[@primachpepe8597]

what a lovely rendition. thank you

[@starbum]

Holy buckets. What a great rendition. Great job!

[@larryking211]

I need this on Spotify your great

[@aradaevyre361]

I like this more than the original

[@therandomwizard6312]

Very well done cover, gave me goosebumps, keep up the work man

[@uteblack5112]

Hi from Germany, I love your voice and the wonderful songs.

[@LtColShingSides]

I recently reread All Quiet on the Western Front so I could read the sequel The Road Back, so this song hit me alot harder than I expected.

[@JF62Video]

I feel like a song that is a similar vibe that I would love to hear your rendition of is "The Humbling River" by Puscifer. It's such a beautiful song about coming to terms with ones own humanity and mortality and there doesn't seem to be any really stand out covers on KZbin. Love your work, no matter what you do I know you're going to crush it

[@johnford9742]

Damn, that's good.

[@jamesdreads7828]

Hopefully one day i'll be able to make it to the end of this. I miss them so much and i'm tired

[@James_Bee]

Not bad, but the great thing about TLJ is that when multiple people start singing the same line, the differences in their voices really makes a difference and adds a power that I don't think you can get from just adding two versions of yourself. If that makes sense.

[@josephcheek6838]

“Well at last my ghostly ship mates I stand. I shed a small tear from my home apon land tho there eyes speak of death full of struggle and strife the smile below says I don’t owe them my life” “as the soles of the damned fill the space of my eyes my ship hoisted over and tried to cap size I’m this far from drowning this far from the sea I remember the livening do they thank of me tho my bones in the ocean forever will be 🥺🥺😭😭😭

[@menyou1443]

Second! Damn! I really wanted to win that all important Seth reply for being first three songs in a row…

[@persianprince6213]

Sorry, had to break the streak, lol

[@menyou1443]

Nooooo… my collection is missing a Seth reply(:

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Close!

[@menyou1443]

💚💚💚

[@humblebumblehomestead4777]

We need lyrics over this video! I've been watching it on loop just to learn them ❤

[@CallMeCamuran]

I know you get a lot of requests and probably have a massive list of songs to cover, but can you do White Squall? It's my favorite of Stan Rogers and your voice would probably fit it.

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Soon!

[@akihikosakurai4013]

This doesn't have the same deep sound like the original, but it hits just as hard. Amazing

[@Axseus147x]

This sounds awesome should add some sea sounds like waves and whatnot

[@MoxieLaBouche]

Love your covers of The Longest Johns. Will we ever see a collaboration?

[@TheJohnsoline]

Smidge says he's proud of your voice

[@coltranekrauss6174]

Any plans to put this on Itunes. I'd love to get it.

[@tttyuhbbb9823]

👍👍👍🤧🤧💚😪😪👍👍👍

[@KyleeRotunda]

May I request the town I loved so we’ll by the high kings

[@persianprince6213]

First Comment!

[@odonnell1218]

Please do Ireland’s Call!

[@sethstatonwatkins]

On my list!

[@wolfboy8117]

wow 4th?

[@thebullfrog9416]

Can you do the man from the daily mall

[@sethstatonwatkins]

On my list!

[@ReezeGoingSenseless]

Different pantheon judging by the necklace 😃 Wonder if your mother told you, someday you will buy....😜

[@KonnerSaxbury-sm7hg]

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