Dm         | G          | C          | C          ||

[Verse 1]
  C                      C
I packed up my truck an' everything I owned:
  F                     F
I said my goodbye's and threw away my 'phone,
         C                       Am           G        G
I didn't know where I was goin',   so, I just drove.
C               C
South of Miami, down through the Keys,
F                       F
road fin'lly ended when I hit the sea.
       C                     Am                         G        G
Sent a postcard home sayin':   "Don't y'all worry 'bout me."

[Chorus]
                          C      C                              F          F
I'm just holding back the ocean,   makin' sure the breeze keeps blowin'.
                  G                        F                        C         G
Watchin' over the stars at night 'till the sun shines bright in the morning.
                        C           C                                 F          F
I ain't worried 'bout a damn thing,   keep your gold watches and your brass rings.
                               Dm       G                           C         C
I'm tired of goin' through the motions:   I'm just holding back the ocean.

[Interlude]
Dm         | G          | C          | C          ||

[Verse 2]
C                    C
  String bikinis an' long blonde hair,
    F                      F
an' you can taste the salt   in the air.
       C                        Am                  G        G
People laughin' and actin' like   they don't have a prayer.
     C                       C
It's twenty-four seven at my new occupation.
      F                    F
Don't even earn a dime but I wouldn't trade it:
    C                        Am            G        G
I'm workin' overtime on this   permanent vacation.

[Chorus]
                          C      C                              F          F
I'm just holding back the ocean,   makin' sure the breeze keeps blowin'.
                  G                        F                        C         G
Watchin' over the stars at night 'till the sun shines bright in the morning.
                        C           C                                 F          F
I ain't worried 'bout a damn thing,   keep your gold watches and your brass rings.
                               Dm       G                           C         C
I'm tired of goin' through the motions:   I'm just holding back the ocean.

[Bridge]
G           E/G#        Am
  It's up to you what you do with your life.
F    C/E Dm  C    G               G
I'll be  spendin' mine.

[End-Chorus]
                          C      C                              F          F
I'm just holding back the ocean,   makin' sure the breeze keeps blowin'.
                  G                        F                        C         G
Watchin' over the stars at night 'till the sun shines bright in the morning.
                        C           C                                 F          F
I ain't worried 'bout a damn thing,   keep your gold watches and your brass rings.
                               Dm       G                           C         C
I'm tired of goin' through the motions:   I'm just holding back the ocean.
                               Dm       C/E F
I'm tired of goin' through the motions:
G                       F        F           C             C
  I'm just holding back   the ocean.