As I walked across to my studio early morning November 9 2023, out of the corner of my eye I noticed something different on the grass. There he was – a huge seal fast asleep alongside our new potato patch. It felt like an alien visitation – an angel in different form. Turns out he is already an identity known as Neil the Seal. He is a three year old Southern Elephant Seal, born not too far from where we live in Susans Bay.
Neil first opened his eyes to sunlight on the northern end of the turrakana (Tasman Peninsula). He now weighs around 600 kg and as an adult will apparently grow to 3.5 tonnes. These seals come ashore once a year a year for about five weeks while they undergo moulting. Neil is the first Southern Elephant Seal born in lutruwita (Tasmania) since the whaling and sealing days of the 19th century. He even has his own Instagram account. At the moment he prefers to allow others to personally manage it but who knows what the future might bring.
And now Neil has a song written for him. My son Christopher and his son Louie were here on the day of Neil’s “haul out”. We began writing the song that day and later recorded it in Christopher’s studio. Neil has returned to the sea - so all squid need to beware – he’s hungry and he’s big and fast and strong. Hopefully we will see him again next year.
Please be generous and help support the nurture of the environment where many of Neil’s wider family reside. All proceeds of our song will be donated to the Macquarie Island Foundation: macquarieisland.org
Special thanks to Kim Kliska (Wildlife Project Officer) and team from Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
John and Christopher Coleman
lyrics
NEIL THE SEAL
Neil the Seal, it’s no big deal
You being here, you turning up
You teething half tonne teenage lump
Neil the Seal, it’s getting real
I’m gonna ring ABC Radio
And have a chat with Helen Shield
Neil the Seal – interviewed by Helen Shield
Neil the Seal – oh what would you say? snort
Oh get away!
Neil the Seal, what made you veer
Through the thunderstorm
And up the track - and now you’re here
Neil the Seal, how must it feel?
To swap Macquarie’s summer
For a Primrose getaway?
Neil the Seal – interviewed by Helen Shield
Neil the Seal – not so close to the mic! snort
Oh take a hike!
Your flippers are rotating
And your tracker’s indicating
That you might be migrating from our bay
Neil the Seal, this is my last appeal
You can squit your scats in my potato patch
But just don’t swim away
Neil the Seal – I know I said it was no big deal but
Neil the Seal – I still don’t quite know how I feel but
Neil the Seal – if you’d just kept on staying here
Neil the Seal – more talk back time with Helen Shield
Neil the Seal – it was awkward having you around but
Neil the Seal – now I’m missing all your funky sounds
Neil the Seal – I’m sorry but it’s a real big deal
released December 19, 2023
Vocals: John & Christopher Coleman
Guitars, Keyboards, Bass and Drums: Christopher Coleman
Recorded and Mixed by Christopher Coleman at The Soft Knee Shed
Produced by Christopher & John Coleman
Mastered by Al Future at The Chapel, Austins Ferry
Photography by John Coleman
Graphic Design by Al Future and John Coleman
John Coleman is an Australian singer/songwriter in the acoustic folk/rock tradition who has produced eleven albums of
original songs The most recent is Falling Into Light - a collection of songs for meditation - his final collaboration with Noel Davis. Many of John’s songs are inspired by and explore the spirituality of the L’Arche and Quaker communities to which he belongs....more
The haunting new record from Canadian folk artist Avi C. Engel bridges old and new traditions with a minimalist approach. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 24, 2024
The Icelandic songwriter packs her stunning debut with sweeping melodies delivered via intimate, folky arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 12, 2023