“Selkie's Life (Back in the Ocean)” lyrics and music Marc Gunn

Performed by Marc Gunn
From CD: Come Adventure With Me

I’m going back to the ocean
I’m gonna feel the sand
I’m gonna roll in the waves
Like a seal swim away from the strand

I got to live among men
I swooned the ladies well
I gained many new friends
None of them compare to the swells

Going down to the ocean
I miss the ocean

I tried to ride the waves
I thought that I could thrive
I struggled to go with the current.
Every twist and turn felt contrived

Going down to the ocean
Back in the ocean

I got cold after a few days on the island
Good friends and lovers aren't warm enough for me
I wanna be free again, not hiding
The ocean is the place I need to be

I’m gonna dive ‘neath the waves
I’m gone with the setting sun
I’m going back to the depths
Where a selkie’s life was begun

Going down to the ocean
Back in the ocean

Photo by Selena E. from the Celtic Invasion of Dingle, Ireland 2019. Taken on the Blaskett Island.

Chords KEY D

[D]I’m going back to the ocean
[Em]I’m gonna [G]feel the [A7]sand
[D]I’m gonna roll in the waves
[Em]Like a seal swim [G]away [A7]from the strand

[G]I got cold after a few days on the [D]island
[Bm]Good friends and lovers aren't warm enough for [A]me
[G]I wanna be free again, not [D]hiding
The [Em]ocean is the place I need to [A]be

Background

This is a song about a selkie who visits the land only to decide it is not the place for him. He must get home.

NOTES

“Back in the Ocean” lyrics and music Marc Gunn
Tempo: 122
Marc Gunn: autoharp, vocals
Nathan Deese: bass, ukelele, whistle