The Saltbone Hymn

VERSE 1 Ship turned inside out in the pouring rain Deck kept moving though it split in chains Sky laid flat underneath the tide Lightning crawled where the dead men hide Crew all laughing with their hollow teeth Storm bells ringing from beneath the deep Compass spinning like it lost its mind Every wave trying to pull me blind ⸻ CHORUS The sea started singing tonight Black tide rising under dead moonlight Steel drums shaking while the docks collapse Whole damn ocean trying to pull me back ⸻ SIREN WHISPER “Come back from the black tide…” RESPONSE I hear you through the thunder, don’t fade away Your voice cut sharper than the waves today If you standing there beyond the storm Keep that harbor fire burning warm ⸻ VERSE 2 Stars fell down and got caught in the foam Dead ships drifting like they headed home Rain ran upward from the ocean floor Windows opened where there weren’t doors Shadow birds with their wings bent wrong Still kept circling to the steel drum song Whole shoreline moving side to side Like the earth itself got hypnotized ⸻ CHORUS The sea started singing tonight Ghost waves dancing in the lightning strikes Boot heels pounding while the sirens groan Whole black harbor breathing like a soul ⸻ SIREN WHISPER “Don’t let the storm pull you under…” RESPONSE Then keep talking while the sky caves in Your voice the only thing breaking this spell I’m in Every dead wave trying drag me down But I still hear you through the horror sound ⸻ BRIDGE Shipwreck choir in the hurricane wind Crew stomp harder while the flood rush in Moon cracked open on the waterline Sea turned black then electric blue in my eyes Anchor chains wrapped around the mast Clock hands spinning way too fast Ocean screaming through the radio hiss Like the dark itself don’t want me to live ⸻ FINAL CHORUS The sea started singing tonight Storm rolled backward in the flashing light Dead crew chanting while the sky turned red Whole black ocean waking up the dead Steel drums crashing through the pouring rain Every lost soul dancing in the waves Harbor lights barely shining through But I keep steering straight toward you ⸻ FINAL SIREN WHISPER “Don’t lose sight of the harbor…” FINAL RESPONSE I see your fire through the black smoke rain Hold that light till I break these chains If the sea wants war then let it come I’m bringing this cursed ship home