The Longest Johns - Bones In The Ocean (Lyrics) (Best Version) 

A man who has lost everything he loved contemplates suicide, but he thinks better of it and instead lives on to continue remembering his old friends. He will join them when it's his time, not before.

Sea shanties sound cheerful but are actually fucking depressing

My grandpa used to tell me to never stop living once he goes away. Now here I am, a grandpa and a sister down, with a few good friends also lost due to time and tragedy. I remember you grandpa, I'll keep on living onwards for both you and Sophia.

Salute to the 53 brave Indonesian Navy sailors of KRI nanggala. May they live forever in their eternal patrol under the waves About KRI Nanggala: The Indonesian Navy Cakra-class attack submarine sank in the northern waters of Bali on April 21 2021, with all of its 53 crewmen on board. Investigation shows the submarine sank due to a blackout leading it to dive deeper than it should, which let the pressure destroy the sub splitting it into three parts. Despite the joint efforts from China, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia for search and rescue, it was concluded that she could not be excavated out of the sea floor, which is now her final resting place all along with all her 53 crews.

For anyone who doesn’t know the song is about survivors guilt. The man was the only survivor of a shipwreck and he feels guilty that he was the only one to survive. He believes if he goes back to the location where his ship sank and die he will join the rest of his crew members in the afterlife.

I swear, this song gives me survivors guilt for something that I've never experienced

"the ocean is a blue abyss, calling to those who hunger for adventure, luring them to the salty air and cool breeze, its a welcoming feeling, but the travellers who sail the wide expanse are sure to find there end, happy or not". My grandfather, god rest his soul 1937-2019.

Today, after 4 days of intensive search assisted by the US, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Australia the Indonesian governement finally declared that one of their submarine has sunk. Type 209 submarine that has been on duty since 1981 finally rest on the depth of 850m with it's 53 crews. Farewell sailors, may you rest in peace.

1. Curl up to a ball 2. Try not to cry 3. Cry 4. Cry alot

man this song ain’t got no business being this sad

This song is about grief. Particularly Depression, Bargaining, and most importantly, Acceptance. It shows his loss of hope, and his attempt to see his crew again, but it ends beautifully, with him finally accepting their deaths and learning to live again. A true piece of art. There is always hope for the future.

As a merchant mariner: Goosebumps. Goosebumps everywhere.

This song weaves such a heartfelt story. The man singing it has lost his entire crew and his ship, and believes that the only way to cope with the sadness of losing them is to join them. He searches for their final resting spot without pause or rest, like a man possessed. When he finds it, he makes his way to them, promising to see them soon. But at the last moment, he realizes that this isn't what they would want for him. They would rather see him live a long, happy life and join them when the reaper deemed it his time. And so he did. This song tells a story of regret, grief and grappling with it. And I love it.

No lyric throughout all of history will ever hit as hard as "Though their eyes speak of depths filled with struggle and strife, their smiles below say I don't owe them my life."

As a attempted suicide survivor I always cry listening to this song, especially "I'm not sure what I want but I don't think it's this" gets me every time

This song becomes more and more relatable as you age, I probably first heard it in middle school when my music class did shanties, at that point I thought it was just a little catchy but didn’t think much into it. Now when I hear it my mind always turns to family and friends who have passed away or I have not been able to see in a long time.

The people that disliked this song should get covid tests done, because one of the major symptoms is no taste.

"Ayo bro let's play tomorrow!" "sure" *Last Online 10 Years Ago*

Never thought a sea shanty would describe survivors guilt in such a succinct, bittersweet way. It's pretty accurate to my personal experiences with it. Best friend offed himself a few years back after a stay in a mental hospital. He made it back home, seemed to be doing a lot better; but in hindsight, it was the burst of happiness people sometimes get before they go through with it. His parents were at his house, he ate lunch with them, talked, laughed; and then when they left for 5 minutes, he locked himself in the bathroom and put a bullet in his brain. I was about to come see him and hit him with a big ass hug; when they called me. I remember falling onto the floor and curling up, saying "no no no no" over and over. The rest of it is a blur, the only thing I really remember vividly was carrying the casket to the grave. For the first year it felt unreal, I kept typing messages to him on facebook and then remembering he's not there. Just little things I was excited about, things we normally talked about. It all felt like a dream. I would get this thought in my head that it would be over soon, and I'd wake up to everything being back to normal. But then I'd snap back to reality, and the feeling of something missing would overtake me completely. The second year, I yearned to join him. Honestly, if I didn't have people that need me, I would have. I was ready to go, I was done. But then I started messaging all his accounts, half jokingly doing rituals, all sorts of shit; just to see if he's still out there somewhere. No response ever came, but I realized he's still around in my mind; and I can keep him alive there. I still have his music, his art, his games, our videos, screenshots of chats, even a pair of his shoes are still hanging around here. His mark on the world still stands, even if he's really gone. As for the current year? It's hard, I miss him severely; but no longer seek to join him just yet. I don't feel guilty anymore, there's nothing I could have done; he had it planned out in advance. I still drive by his house, it's bittersweet. His parents still own it, so his car still sits out front; sometimes I see them out in town driving it. The once welcoming little house just feels wrong now, as if all the warmth left. They've asked if I wanted to go into it, and I just don't think I can; I wouldn't want to leave. Everything is still in there, down to the gifts I had given him over the years; mostly untouched. It's like a time capsule of our friendship, and I just don't think I can do it without breaking down completely. But, I guess I'm happy now. I definitely feel a lot better than a few years ago, but the hole never really gets any smaller; I just grow around it.

In memory of the crew of KRI Nanggala 402. All 53 of you will be in the memories and hearts of your family, friends, and the people of both Indonesia and our SEA brethrens.

This makes me feel like I’ve lived a long and fabled life out at sea.

"My death is not your fault, you've got to let me go." -souls of the ones we regret losing

“As I live the years that they left me behind” This one hits me the hardest.

0:29 "I Remember The Fallen,Do They Think Of Me" 1:50 "I Remember The Living Do They Think Of Me" 2:57 "I Remember The Fallen And They Think Of Me"

Bois I’m ngl, I shed a tear

This song makes me mourn friends that never existed and for a ship that has never touched real waters

Imagine this: your an old man on a dock with a beer in your hand looking at the sunset over the ocean and remembering the times you had with your now dead crew

"their smiles below say I don't owe them my life." That hits me every time. This song is too much of a roller coaster but I can't stop listening to it

When you and the boys have to go your separate ways after the sleep over:

Remember bois, Shanties Before Panties.

Indonesia's submarine, KRI 402 Nanggala, is sunken recently. A tragedy. I know it doesn't 100% relate to this song, but the grief brings me here. Their bones in the ocean, forever will be. RIP

I lost my father to lung cancer earlier this year, and in the final weeks he knew it was happening, but never once showed fear - he remained so strong for us, no matter the pain or how much his body began failing him. This song will always make me think of his courage. "So I swallow my grief and face life's final test, to find promise of peace and the solace of rest."

God this is fucking depressing but so catchy. Edit: 4.6k likes in 4 weeks? I didnt think anyone agreed with me. Thanks :)

Everyone always says why British Navy, but never how British Navy

I just found this song and it instantly hit home and made me cry. I was on a ship and we would patrol the Bering sea for SAR. My bunk mate in my corner was the greatest dude ever, genuinely nice, made everyone smile and made time on board easier. Easily one of my favorite people to talk to and joke around with. When we went to port at one of the random islands out there to resupply after we had a fire in the engine room. We all went out to the one bar to drink but him and a few other underage guys would go to the beach to drink without being seen. That night we caught wind he was missing and after launching search parties they found him face down in the water unresponsive. I dont know how to describe it but this song helps ease that pain I get sometimes, when I think back to that year and remember him.

I’m 26 years old, I haven’t cried since 2017 when I had to put my dog down, but this fucking song actually made me cry. Last time a song actually made me cry was when I was 6.

It’s kinda crazy how sea shanties unlock something within you that you’ve never experienced

The one freshman in your friend group when you all graduate

Can't help but think of my old man when I hear this. Didn't lose him to the sea, but he did go into the River, ripping our hearts out of our chests. Even 5 and a half years down the line it still hurts and we were lucky to get him back between high tife and the dam bursting it's banks, we managed to get him at the Port of Cork before he truly did end up going out to the sea proper. He had his demons that he hid so well from us but I understand him now and why he did what he did, but it doesn't make his loss any easier to bear. He's forever with us and his first grandchild that he never had a chance to meet, recognises his face and kisses his picture every time she sees it, saying "Danda" and smiling. It's bittersweet, but she'll at least know who he was and how much he would have loved her.

_Missing a ship I never sailed on and missing a crew I never knew_

Always remember, lads: "Shanties over panties." Godspeed, lads.

isnt it funny how some songs can comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable

As Woody Guthrie said, a good song comforts disturbed people, and disturbs comfortable people.

On April 24th, Indonesian submarine KRI 402 Nanggala was declared sunk. Let us bid farewell to her and all her sailors. It is dark down there in the bottom of the sea. She might find it lonely there, afraid, but maybe tranquil. So lets us pray, may she find peace on her Eternal Patrol

This is such a depressing song. Keep the homies close, and even if they pass they're always there with ya.

how a song can make me feel like a man whos allies have died is beyond me but i don't care. this is awesome

Since i'm drinking, i'm raising my glass to all those who've fallen, may we remember them fondly.

Ships don't sink, they just sail forever

My NCO I served in Iraq with passed away this last November and this song made me think of him. Thank you The Longest Johns. This song is so beautiful.

It's crazy how those guys could sing it perfectly without one of them just starting to cry in the middle of the song

God dammit. I didnt expect to cry at this. All of my grandparents are starting to pass and i look up to them so much and i know i dont have much time left. I love them so much and i hope they know that

This song has literally saved my life. I had a traumatic experience recently and when flashbacks start and by body turn cold, I begin to sing this song and it brings be peace. It helps control my breathing and keeps my mind on the lyrics and not on the trauma.

"I remember the living. Do they think of me?" If you're in a dark place right now, remember those words, because the answer is yes. No matter what you think, there are people living in this world who love you. I love you.

Added to "play this at my funeral" playlist

-Was I a good sailor? -No. You were the best.

Godspeed Nanggala 402, thank you for your service

came here for the meme. because this was so emotionally good.

"Their smiles below says that I don't owe them my life." It gives me so many chills everytime. It literally makes him realize that they wouldn't want him to die like them, they would want them to live a happy and long life. And that he doesn't owe them anything, he couldn't di anything to stop their deaths and that they just want him to move on without them. And they'll sing of the seas when he dies in peace.. this damn song makes me tear up everytime.

This makes me think of all ship crews, civilian, pirate, unknown, and naval. But hearing this made me immediately think of British Naval Sailors who survived a destroyed ship in WWII coming back decades after to search for the wreck. Rest In Peace every soul who perished on the seas, or the aircraft that met an end in the oceans/seas.

My family always sings this song, and my father, after singing it to me when I was younger, said “To tear a sailor away from his ship and the ocean, is equivalent to take the air from his lungs. Sailors would die for their ship if they wish, tears in their eyes as they watch her fall.”

We lost my brother to the unforgiving ocean, he was one of the most experienced drivers, with over 17 years of experience. It took five days to find him, and some surfers found him, but in those five days, we had taken a boat out, and were searching for like five hours, and previously we had been searching nonstop every day, and honestly, this song makes me reflect, and it was my greatest worry, that we would never find coverage and this song encompasses my fears, however, good news is we found him, he is at peace, and I feel like this song now has a huge meaning to me...

"Now i'm staring down at the darkest abyss, I'm not sure what I want but I don't think it's this" I wonder how many people didn't have an option to turn back...

I can never listen to this song without getting emotional. There is so much heart and soul in this song and the lyrics really hit deep. Anyone struggling with depression/suicide should hear this every now and then

My friend knew a person from Iraq. He used to play Counter-Strike with him. One day, he said he couldn't join. The rebels were cutting his internet to his city. My friend didn't take it seriously. And then he sends a video, of his city being bombed, and gunfire. The Iraqi person hasn't been online for 5 years.

“the shipwreck wasn’t your fault, mate. you have to let us go.” edit: jesus christ this isn’t a quote from something, it’s literally what the song is about. this is why i can’t have nice things

"My hope died along with my crew" Damn💔

When all the boys are dead so you can't sing shanties with them, so instead you make a shanty expressing how much you miss them.

All jokes aside, this is the only song that unironcly made me cry

we mfs crying so much that ocean levels are gonna rise 10 ft

I confused this with a completely different shanty and was expecting a nice whaling song and now I'm sitting on my bed with a new type of depression

I've been listening to this for the past few weeks and it never fails to make me cry every single damn time. 😭

"Though their eyes speak of deaths filled with struggle and strife their smiles, below, say I don't owe them my life" Im not crying.. IT'S YOU *YOU'RE CRYING!!*

“Their smiles below say I don’t owe them my life.” What would a man give for absolution from the dead?...

Remember: shanties before panties, my kings

Anybody here from MATI? RIP Archie, may you rest well in the arms of the Angel.

My family had to lay our grandmother to rest this august. We had her creams red and scattered of the shore of our childhood beach. This song spoke to me so deeply and I feel inclined to share my story.

This song is the embodiment of survivor's guilt

Remember sailors.... girls are temporary. *The sea is forever*

This song is beautiful a guy loses his crew and sets back out to feel how he once did and he can’t stop thinking about the ones who used to be. He’s not afraid to die because he wants to be with his friends. He really set out to share the same fate. Anyone who reads this. Hold onto everything you have People care about you

This is a nice song because the reason he wants to die ends up being the reason he wants to live. If he dies the memory of his friends goes with him. As long as he lives so do they.

"Though their eyes speak of depthsn filled with struggles and strife, their smiles below say I don't owe them my life" Okay, this line is what got me crying like a baby ngl

It might seem silly but this song makes me think of my cat, Tigger, who passed away just 2 days ago after being sick for a while. I’ve been into the sea shanty thing a lot lately and would walk around my house singing, and he would love it every time I sang this song - especially when he would lay on my chest. He was so happy and would purr up a storm as I softly sang. I sang it to him just a few days ago, the night before he passed. And now this song takes on a whole new meaning as I sit here without him, singing his favorite song. I remember the fallen, and I hope he thinks of me...wherever he is. Love you, Tig.

This is one of my favorites. As a Tall Ship Sailor, I know that actually experiencing a shipwreck or sinking is unlikely now of days, but this song sort of builds a bond between not only me and my crewmates, but also the sea and my career. It's a peaceful way to come to terms with not only the good things but potentially the bad things that can happen.

RIP To the Oceangate 5 now lost at sea

Last time I cried like this... I was kneeling before my brother's memorial... Gone, but never forgotten.

This song is like "See You Again" but in the time of pirates

Once you truly understand the lyrics, it hits really hard.

"As the songs of the dead fill the space of my ears Their laughter like children, their beckoning cheers" I get chills every time I hear this part

sea shanties are the very few rare instances of song genre that will sound good no matter what generation you're in

My best friend was so obsessed with Sea shanties. Two year ago in August i was chillin' with him in his giant pool and he was singing songs like "Leave her Johnny" "Randy dandy oh" and "Bones in the ocean". I can't listen this song without cry. Miss that bro.

I lost a fellow midshipman and friend at sea while I was still in the academy. This brought tears to my eyes.

"I remember the fallen, do they think of me?" wow this really hits hard am i the only one that cries when hearing this?

You're Damn right I'd rather sing sea shanties.

The only way out of hell is through it. We're all gonna make it, boys.

I got here from Wilbur, Philza, Fundy and Jack Manifold, from MCC 14... And I'm glad I discovered this beautiful song! It's so beautiful! 😌✨

I always love the comment of beautiful, meaningful songs like these, there are no jerks starting stupid arguements, just people sharing their story, either heart-warming or heart-breaking but the people here will always respect one another no matter what, it's actually pretty rare to see people like these on RU-vid

We did it lads, we defeated billie eillish

You will be online, right? Yes bro, as always, See you tomorrow *Last seen 8 years ago*

What the hell am I feeling?? This is the only song that ever made me cry, and I don't even have lost close friends! Is this song this powerful to anyone else?