Nathan Evans (born in Inveraray on 3 December 1994) is a Scottish singer kn… Read Full Bio ↴Nathan Evans (born in Inveraray on 3 December 1994) is a Scottish singer known for singing sea shanties. Evans first gained fame in 2020 when he posted videos of himself singing sea shanties on social media service TikTok, triggering a surge of interest in sea shanties. In 2021, he released a cover version of the 19th-century shanty "Wellerman" which topped the UK Singles Chart and also charted in several other countries.

Before launching his music career, Evans was a postal worker with the Royal Mail, in Airdrie. Evans had been posting performances of pop and folk songs to TikTok before beginning to post sea shanties. He posted his first traditional sea shanty, "Leave Her Johnny", to TikTok in July 2020.

Told You So
Nathan Evans Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I said, one day this world will take you down
And oh, it can swallow you whole
I said, one day, oh boy, you're gonna drown
I don't want to say I told you so
Hate to say I told you so

I've been trying to tell you
Trying to warn you but you won't let go

Sometimes it's better that you move on
But you just ain't willing to go

I've been thinking, your ship is sinking
And it's far too far to swim to shore
Take my hand and I'll lead you back to land
'Cause I don't wanna leave you here alone

Oh, oh, oh
I said, one day this world will take you down
And oh, it can swallow you whole
I said, one day, oh boy, you're gonna drown
I don't want to say I told you so
Hate to say I told you so

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Hate to say I told you so

I've been trying to tell you
Trying to show you the road back home
But you just don't wanna listen
Now you're spinning out of control

I've been thinking, your ship is sinking
And it's far too far to swim to shore
Take my hand and I'll lead you back to land
'Cause I don't wanna leave you here alone

Oh, oh, oh
I said, one day this world will take you down
And oh, it can swallow you whole
I said, one day, oh boy, you're gonna drown
I don't want to say I told you so
Hate to say I told you so

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Hate to say I told you so
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

I've been thinking, your ship is sinking
And it's far too far to swim to shore
Take my hand and I'll lead you back to land
'Cause I don't wanna leave you here alone

Oh, oh, oh
I said, one day this world will take you down
And oh, it can swallow you whole (it can swallow you whole)
I said, one day, oh boy, you're gonna drown
I don't want to say I told you so
Hate to say I told you so

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Hate to say I told you so
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Hate to say I told you so

Overall Meaning

In Nathan Evans's song "Told You So," the lyrics convey a message of warning and concern for someone who is heading down a dangerous path. The singer is trying to tell this person that their actions will have consequences and that the world can be unforgiving. He warns that they will eventually face a downfall and that it might even consume them entirely. However, although he hates to say it, he will not say "I told you so."

The second verse further emphasizes the singer's desperation to help this person before it's too late. He has been trying to show them the way out, but they refuse to listen and are spiraling out of control. He believes that their ship is sinking and that it is too far to swim back to shore alone. He offers to take their hand and lead them back to safety.

The overall message of the song encourages listeners to pay attention to those who care about them and to heed their warnings before it is too late. It is also a reminder that everyone needs help at times and that it is okay to ask for it.

Line by Line Meaning

I said, one day this world will take you down
I warned you that the world can be tough and overwhelming.

And oh, it can swallow you whole
You can get consumed and lost in the challenges of life.

I said, one day, oh boy, you're gonna drown
I knew that someday you would struggle and feel lost.

I don't want to say I told you so
I don't mean to criticize you, but I did tell you things might not work out.

Hate to say I told you so
I really don't want to come across as smug or superior, but I did warn you.

I've been trying to tell you
I have been attempting to express my concerns to you.

Trying to warn you but you won't let go
I have been advising you, but you have been resistant to my input.

Sometimes it's better that you move on
Occasionally, it is in your best interest to leave something behind and create a new path.

But you just ain't willing to go
You do not seem eager to let go of what is currently happening or what you are holding onto.

I've been thinking, your ship is sinking
I have been contemplating that things are not going well for you.

And it's far too far to swim to shore
Things have gotten so bad that it is difficult to come back from the situation.

Take my hand and I'll lead you back to land
I am offering to help guide you back to safety and stability.

'Cause I don't wanna leave you here alone
I care about you and do not want you to suffer by yourself.

I said, one day this world will take you down
I warned you that the world can be tough and overwhelming.

And oh, it can swallow you whole
You can get consumed and lost in the challenges of life.

I said, one day, oh boy, you're gonna drown
I knew that someday you would struggle and feel lost.

I don't want to say I told you so
I don't mean to criticize you, but I did tell you things might not work out.

Hate to say I told you so
I really don't want to come across as smug or superior, but I did warn you.

I've been trying to tell you
I have been attempting to express my concerns to you.

Trying to show you the road back home
I have been trying to demonstrate the way to get back on track.

But you just don't wanna listen
You seem uninterested in hearing my perspective and advice.

Now you're spinning out of control
Things have gotten worse and you are losing your grip on the situation.

I've been thinking, your ship is sinking
I have been contemplating that things are not going well for you.

And it's far too far to swim to shore
Things have gotten so bad that it is difficult to come back from the situation.

Take my hand and I'll lead you back to land
I am offering to help guide you back to safety and stability.

'Cause I don't wanna leave you here alone
I care about you and do not want you to suffer by yourself.

I said, one day this world will take you down
I warned you that the world can be tough and overwhelming.

And oh, it can swallow you whole (it can swallow you whole)
You can get consumed and lost in the challenges of life.