The Ocean
Lez Zeppelin Lyrics


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(We've done four already but now we're steady and then they went: One, two, three, four)

Singing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain
Hitting on the moonshine, rocking in the grain
Ain't no time to pack my bag, my foots outside the door
Got a date, I can't be late, for the high hopes hailla ball.
'got a hell hound on my t(r)ail'
'cause it's hell I'm headed for'
(No one really knows which one it is)
Uh-huh! oh oh yeah!
Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar
Play for free, play for me and play a whole lot more, more!
Singing 'bout good things and the sun that lights the day
I used to sing on the mountains, then the ocean lost it's way.
I've been there (I don't know?)
Oh oh yeah!
Oh, yeah!
na na na..., La la la...
Sitting round singing songs til the night turns into day
Used to sing on the mountains but the mountains washed away
Now I'm singing all my songs to the girl who won my heart
She is only three years old and it's a real fine way to start.
Oh yeah. Sure is fine. I blow my mind.
And the tears all go away now.
Yeah yeah




Do wop a diddly diddly...
Oh, so good!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean" describe the singer's carefree attitude towards life as they sing about dancing and enjoying themselves in the sunshine and rain, without a worry in the world. They sing about heading towards "hell," but it's unclear if that's literal or figurative, and it's not something they're too concerned about. The ocean is a recurring theme throughout the song, as they sing to it and can hear its roar. They used to sing on the mountains, but they washed away, leaving them to sing their songs to a three-year-old girl who has won their heart. The song concludes with the singer expressing their happiness and contentment with the girl in their life.


The repeated line "One, two, three, four" is a reference to the band's rhythm section, highlighting their importance to the overall sound of the song. The song's structure and instrumentation are relatively simple, with a driving rhythm section and guitar riffs, showcasing the band's heavy rock stylings. Interestingly, the song was not released as a single but has remained a fan favorite and has been regularly performed during live shows.


Line by Line Meaning

Singing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain
I'm enjoying life and all its pleasures.


Hitting on the moonshine, rocking in the grain
Having a good time, not worrying about the consequences.


Ain't no time to pack my bag, my foots outside the door
I'm always on the go, ready for whatever comes my way.


Got a date, I can't be late, for the high hopes hailla ball
I'm excited about what's ahead, and I don't want to miss a thing.


'got a hell hound on my t(r)ail', 'cause it's hell I'm headed for', (No one really knows which one it is), Uh-huh! oh oh yeah!
I'm moving fast, but I don't know where I'm going. It's exciting but also a bit scary.


Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar
I'm in tune with nature, and it inspires my music.


Play for free, play for me and play a whole lot more, more!
I want to make music with freedom and passion, and share it with others.


Singing 'bout good things and the sun that lights the day
I'm optimistic and want to spread positivity through my music.


I used to sing on the mountains, then the ocean lost it's way
I've seen the beauty of both the mountains and the ocean, but things don't always stay the way we remember them.


I've been there (I don't know?), Oh oh yeah!, Oh, yeah!, na na na..., La la la...
I've had experiences that I can't quite put into words, but they've left an impression on me.


Sitting round singing songs til the night turns into day, Used to sing on the mountains but the mountains washed away
I may have lost something I loved, but I still have my music to keep me going.


Now I'm singing all my songs to the girl who won my heart, She is only three years old and it's a real fine way to start
My music is meaningful to me and can reach people of all ages and backgrounds.


Oh yeah. Sure is fine. I blow my mind. And the tears all go away now. Yeah yeah Do wop a diddly diddly...
Music brings me joy and can take me to a place where my worries disappear.


Oh, so good!
It feels great to express myself through music.




Writer(s): Robert Plant, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, James Patrick Copyright: Flames Of Albion Music Inc.

Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Shady Pilgrim

"We've done four already but now we're steady
And then they went: One, two, three, four"
Singing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain
Hitting on the moonshine, rocking in the grain
Got no time to pack my bags, my foots outside the door
I got a date, I can't be late, for the high hopes hailla ball, uh uh, uh uh, yeah
Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar
Play for free, I play for me and play a whole lot more, more!
Singing about the good things and the sun that lights the day
I used to sing on the mountains, has the ocean lost its way
I don't know, oh oh, yeah'
Ooh, yeah
Sitting round singing songs 'til the night turns into day
Used to sing about the mountains but the mountains washed away
Now I'm singing all my songs to the girl who won my heart
She is only three years old and it's a real fine way to start
Oh yeah!
It sure is fine!
Ah blow my mind!
When the tears are goin' down!
Yeah! Yeah, yeah
Oh so, oh so, oh so good!
Oh so good!



CAROLINA CASTILLO

Singing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain
Hitting on the moonshine, rocking in the grain
Got no time to pack my bags, my foots outside the door
I got a date, I can't be late, for the high hopes hailla ball, uh uh, uh uh, yeah

Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar
Play for free, I play for me and play a whole lot more, more!
Singing about the good things and the sun that lights the day
I used to sing on the mountains, has the ocean lost its way

I don't know, oh oh, yeah'

Ooh, yeah

Sitting round singing songs 'til the night turns into day
Used to sing about the mountains but the mountains washed away
Now I'm singing all my songs to the girl who won my heart
She is only three years old and it's a real fine way to start

Oh yeah!

It sure is fine!
Ah blow my mind!
When the tears are goin' down!
Yeah! Yeah, yeah

Oh so, oh so, oh so good!
Oh so good!



Al Buch

We've done four already but now we're steady
And then they went: One, two, three, four"

Singing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain
Hitting on the moonshine, rocking in the grain
Got no time to pack my bags, my foots outside the door
I got a date, I can't be late, for the high hopes hailla ball, uh uh, uh uh, yeah

Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar
Play for free, I play for me and play a whole lot more, more!
Singing about the good things and the sun that lights the day
I used to sing on the mountains, has the ocean lost its way

I don't know, oh oh, yeah'

Ooh, yeah

Sitting round singing songs 'til the night turns into day
Used to sing about…



All comments from YouTube:

Dale LaMar

This is one of the first songs that really made me want to play bass guitar. John Paul Jones is so groovy in this.

Tom Hartman

It is a badass grove on bass. My favorite to play as a bass player then good times bad times Zep tunes

Dinkin' Flicka

That ascending descending riff he does over the dotted hits at the end in between the bluesy part has always been one of my favorite Led nuggets

dMo

Did JPJ come up wthe the groove or was it Jimi page?

maikimo

@dMo JPJ produced a lot of the big zeppelin riffs. black dog was another of his -- if memory serves.

James Madison

I was about to say good times bad times really get you on the bass

3 More Replies...

Marie Blue

“The Ocean” (1973) refers to the fans as seen from the stage. This song - credited to all four members - was always dedicated to the audience at concerts.

The voice on the intro is drummer John Bonham’s. When he says, “We’ve done four already, but now we’re steady and then they went, 1… 2… 3… 4…, “ he is alluding to the takes. Led Zeppelin had tried to record it four times prior but could not get it right, so as a pep talk, Bonham uttered his famous line.

During the last minute or so, John Paul Jones and John Bonham sing for one of the only times on a Zeppelin LP. They are harmonizing the phrase “Doo Wop.”

If you pay close attention, you will hear a phone ☎️ ringing in the studio at 1:37-1:38, and again (second ring) at around 1:41. 💜🌊💚

Alicia Huerta

1973 omg I was 3 😱😱😱😱

Marie Blue

@Alicia Huerta LOL… Best regards to you, Alicia.

Ken Stanitis

Appreciate the info! One of my favorite

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