Back in the Ocean (Lyrics, Rough Cut) (Patreon)

Once again, I present a rough cut from our beach vacation on Tybee Island, Georgia. I was feeling disappointed that I hadn't written a song or even played my autoharp much by the end of the week. I finally had a few minutes to myself. So I wrote this song.

Musically it was inspired by Anuhea. She's a Hawaiian musician I found while searching for artists similar to Jack Johnson. She has a song called "Simple Love Song". Beautiful song if you get a chance to listen. But that's the rhythm I used for the song. I was aiming for a Hawaiian/beachy sound.

Lyrically the song started as a bunch of vignettes from our beach time experiences. As I searched for a story, I decided to write one about a mermaid. But when Gwen said there was nothing Celtic about the song... which there wasn't yet... that inspired me to change it from a mermaid to a selkie. Much better for the story.

This is still not the finished song. There are two lines I can't figure out how to make better. So hopefully, I'll nail that out this week.

Back in the Ocean Lyrics

I’m going down to the oceanI’m gonna feel the sandI’m gonna lie in the wavesLike a seal swim away from the strand 

I’m gonna gaze up at seagullsI’m gonna float on the seaI’m gonna scare me a pelicanWhen they come diving down at me 

Going down to the oceanThis is my ocean 

I’m gonna ride the wavesI’m gonna feel the swells I’m gonna kick with the current Watch me escape from my biped cell

Going down to the oceanBack in the ocean

Got cold after a few days on the island Made so many friends But I can’t be what they needI wanna be free again and find meThe ocean is the place I need to be 

I’m gonna dive neath the waves I’m gone with the setting sunI’m going back to the depthsWhere a selkie’s life was begun

Going down to the oceanBack in the ocean