diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 6cd06de..7048a4e 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -25,5 +25,6 @@ testdata/tern.conf
 /tern
 /tmp
 
+.vscode
 .idea/*
 dist
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 2e24d5c..6a33c74 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -26,8 +26,12 @@ github.com/jackc/pgpassfile v1.0.0 h1:/6Hmqy13Ss2zCq62VdNG8tM1wchn8zjSGOBJ6icpsI
 github.com/jackc/pgpassfile v1.0.0/go.mod h1:CEx0iS5ambNFdcRtxPj5JhEz+xB6uRky5eyVu/W2HEg=
 github.com/jackc/pgservicefile v0.0.0-20231201235250-de7065d80cb9 h1:L0QtFUgDarD7Fpv9jeVMgy/+Ec0mtnmYuImjTz6dtDA=
 github.com/jackc/pgservicefile v0.0.0-20231201235250-de7065d80cb9/go.mod h1:5TJZWKEWniPve33vlWYSoGYefn3gLQRzjfDlhSJ9ZKM=
+github.com/jackc/pgservicefile v0.0.0-20240606120523-5a60cdf6a761 h1:iCEnooe7UlwOQYpKFhBabPMi4aNAfoODPEFNiAnClxo=
+github.com/jackc/pgservicefile v0.0.0-20240606120523-5a60cdf6a761/go.mod h1:5TJZWKEWniPve33vlWYSoGYefn3gLQRzjfDlhSJ9ZKM=
 github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.5.5 h1:amBjrZVmksIdNjxGW/IiIMzxMKZFelXbUoPNb+8sjQw=
 github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.5.5/go.mod h1:ez9gk+OAat140fv9ErkZDYFWmXLfV+++K0uAOiwgm1A=
+github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.7.4 h1:9wKznZrhWa2QiHL+NjTSPP6yjl3451BX3imWDnokYlg=
+github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.7.4/go.mod h1:ncY89UGWxg82EykZUwSpUKEfccBGGYq1xjrOpsbsfGQ=
 github.com/jackc/puddle/v2 v2.2.1 h1:RhxXJtFG022u4ibrCSMSiu5aOq1i77R3OHKNJj77OAk=
 github.com/jackc/puddle/v2 v2.2.1/go.mod h1:vriiEXHvEE654aYKXXjOvZM39qJ0q+azkZFrfEOc3H4=
 github.com/kr/pretty v0.3.1 h1:flRD4NNwYAUpkphVc1HcthR4KEIFJ65n8Mw5qdRn3LE=
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 8a89d9e..0727a41 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -95,12 +95,13 @@ type Config struct {
 }
 
 var cliOptions struct {
-	destinationVersion string
-	currentVersion     string
-	migrationsPath     string
-	configPaths        []string
-	editNewMigration   bool
-	outputFile         string // used for gengen or print-migrations
+	destinationVersion       string
+	currentVersion           string
+	migrationsPath           string
+	configPaths              []string
+	editNewMigration         bool
+	outputFile               string // used for gengen or print-migrations
+	cockroachDbCompatible bool
 
 	connString   string
 	host         string
@@ -187,6 +188,7 @@ The word "last":
 		Run: Migrate,
 	}
 	cmdMigrate.Flags().StringVarP(&cliOptions.destinationVersion, "destination", "d", "last", "destination migration version")
+	cmdMigrate.Flags().BoolVar(&cliOptions.cockroachDbCompatible, "cockroachdb", false, "CockroachDB compatibility flag avoiding advisory locks (default is false)")
 	addConfigFlagsToCommand(cmdMigrate)
 
 	cmdCode := &cobra.Command{
@@ -507,7 +509,9 @@ func Migrate(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	config, conn := loadConfigAndConnectToDB(ctx)
 	defer conn.Close(ctx)
 
-	migrator, err := migrate.NewMigrator(ctx, conn, config.VersionTable)
+	migOpts := migrate.MigratorOptions{ CockroachDbCompatible: cliOptions.cockroachDbCompatible }
+
+	migrator, err := migrate.NewMigratorEx(ctx, conn, config.VersionTable, &migOpts)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error initializing migrator:\n  %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
@@ -612,7 +616,9 @@ func Gengen(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
-	migrator, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), nil, config.VersionTable)
+	migOpts := migrate.MigratorOptions{ CockroachDbCompatible: cliOptions.cockroachDbCompatible }
+
+	migrator, err := migrate.NewMigratorEx(context.Background(), nil, config.VersionTable, &migOpts)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error initializing migrator:\n  %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
@@ -863,7 +869,9 @@ func Status(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 	config, conn := loadConfigAndConnectToDB(ctx)
 	defer conn.Close(ctx)
 
-	migrator, err := migrate.NewMigrator(ctx, conn, config.VersionTable)
+	migOpts := migrate.MigratorOptions{ CockroachDbCompatible: cliOptions.cockroachDbCompatible }
+
+	migrator, err := migrate.NewMigratorEx(ctx, conn, config.VersionTable, &migOpts)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error initializing migrator:\n  %v\n", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
@@ -1307,7 +1315,8 @@ func PrintMigrations(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error connecting to database:\n  %v\n", err)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
-		migrator, err = migrate.NewMigrator(ctx, conn, config.VersionTable)
+		migOpts := migrate.MigratorOptions{ CockroachDbCompatible: cliOptions.cockroachDbCompatible }
+		migrator, err = migrate.NewMigratorEx(ctx, conn, config.VersionTable, &migOpts)
 		if err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error initializing migrator:\n  %v\n", err)
 			os.Exit(1)
@@ -1321,7 +1330,8 @@ func PrintMigrations(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 		}
 		currentVersion = int32(n)
 
-		migrator, err = migrate.NewMigrator(ctx, nil, config.VersionTable)
+		migOpts := migrate.MigratorOptions{ CockroachDbCompatible: cliOptions.cockroachDbCompatible }
+		migrator, err = migrate.NewMigratorEx(ctx, nil, config.VersionTable, &migOpts)
 		if err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error initializing migrator:\n  %v\n", err)
 			os.Exit(1)
diff --git a/migrate/migrate.go b/migrate/migrate.go
index b72d7f2..0e4a127 100644
--- a/migrate/migrate.go
+++ b/migrate/migrate.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"io/fs"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
+	"runtime"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"text/template"
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 var (
 	migrationPattern = regexp.MustCompile(`\A(\d+)_.+\.sql\z`)
 	disableTxPattern = regexp.MustCompile(`(?m)^---- tern: disable-tx ----$`)
+	disableRowLocks = regexp.MustCompile(`(?m)^---- tern: disable-row-locks ----$`)
 )
 
 const (
@@ -131,10 +133,18 @@ func (m *Migration) irreversible() bool {
 type MigratorOptions struct {
 	// DisableTx causes the Migrator not to run migrations in a transaction.
 	DisableTx bool
+	CockroachDbCompatible bool
 }
 
 type Migrator struct {
 	conn         *pgx.Conn
+
+	// optionally, used for locking mechanisms
+	// instead of advisory locks on the primary conn
+	lockingConn  *pgx.Conn
+	// optionally, Tx for the locking mechanism
+	lockingTx 	 pgx.Tx
+
 	versionTable string
 	options      *MigratorOptions
 	Migrations   []*Migration
@@ -142,23 +152,42 @@ type Migrator struct {
 	Data         map[string]interface{}              // Data available to use in migrations
 }
 
-// NewMigrator initializes a new Migrator. It is highly recommended that versionTable be schema qualified.
 func NewMigrator(ctx context.Context, conn *pgx.Conn, versionTable string) (m *Migrator, err error) {
 	return NewMigratorEx(ctx, conn, versionTable, &MigratorOptions{})
 }
 
-// NewMigratorEx initializes a new Migrator. It is highly recommended that versionTable be schema qualified.
+// NewMigrator initializes a new Migrator. It is highly recommended that versionTable be schema qualified.
 func NewMigratorEx(ctx context.Context, conn *pgx.Conn, versionTable string, opts *MigratorOptions) (m *Migrator, err error) {
 	m = &Migrator{conn: conn, versionTable: versionTable, options: opts}
 
+	m.Migrations = make([]*Migration, 0)
+	m.Data = make(map[string]interface{})
+
+	if opts.CockroachDbCompatible {
+		m.lockingConn, err = pgx.ConnectConfig(ctx, conn.Config().Copy())
+		if err != nil {
+			// try anyways and leave lockingconn nil? either way there's a failure
+			// For now, be explicit and block so it's clear
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Migrator is the owner of this connection. Instead of requiring the user of Migrator
+		// to close (a usage change) let go manage the runtime
+		// Once go compat moves to 1.24 can replace with AddCleanup https://pkg.go.dev/runtime@master#AddCleanup
+		runtime.SetFinalizer(m.lockingConn, func(c *pgx.Conn) {
+			if err := c.Close(ctx); err != nil {
+				fmt.Println("trying to close lockingConn:", err.Error())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
 	// This is a bit of a kludge for the gengen command. A migrator without a conn is normally not allowed. However, the
 	// gengen command doesn't call any of the methods that require a conn. Potentially, we could refactor Migrator to
 	// split out the migration loading and parsing from the actual migration execution.
 	if conn != nil {
 		err = m.ensureSchemaVersionTableExists(ctx)
 	}
-	m.Migrations = make([]*Migration, 0)
-	m.Data = make(map[string]interface{})
+
 	return
 }
 
@@ -325,9 +354,6 @@ func (m *Migrator) AppendMigration(name, upSQL, downSQL string) {
 // Migrate runs pending migrations
 // It calls m.OnStart when it begins a migration
 func (m *Migrator) Migrate(ctx context.Context) error {
-	if err := m.validate(); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
 	return m.MigrateTo(ctx, m.highestSequenceNum())
 }
 
@@ -347,6 +373,56 @@ func (m *Migrator) validate() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (m *Migrator) acquireLock(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if m.lockingConn != nil {
+		return m.acquireCustomLock(ctx)
+	}
+
+	return acquireAdvisoryLock(ctx, m.conn)
+}
+
+func (m *Migrator) releaseLock(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if m.lockingConn != nil {
+		return m.releaseCustomLock(ctx)
+	}
+
+	return releaseAdvisoryLock(ctx, m.conn)
+}
+
+var ErrLockNonRecursive = errors.New("lock is nonrecursive")
+
+// CockroachDB Compatible Locking Mechanism
+func (m *Migrator) acquireCustomLock(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
+	query := fmt.Sprintf("select * from %s_lock for update nowait", m.versionTable)
+
+	if m.lockingTx != nil {
+		return ErrLockNonRecursive
+	}
+
+	m.lockingTx, err = m.lockingConn.Begin(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if _, err := m.lockingTx.Exec(ctx, query); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// CockroachDB Compatible Locking Mechanism
+func (m *Migrator) releaseCustomLock(ctx context.Context) error {
+	err := m.lockingTx.Commit(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	m.lockingTx = nil
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // Lock to ensure multiple migrations cannot occur simultaneously
 const lockNum = int64(9628173550095224) // arbitrary random number
 
@@ -366,12 +442,12 @@ func (m *Migrator) MigrateTo(ctx context.Context, targetVersion int32) (err erro
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = acquireAdvisoryLock(ctx, m.conn)
+	err = m.acquireLock(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		unlockErr := releaseAdvisoryLock(ctx, m.conn)
+		unlockErr := m.releaseLock(ctx)
 		if err == nil && unlockErr != nil {
 			err = unlockErr
 		}
@@ -456,7 +532,7 @@ func (m *Migrator) MigrateTo(ctx context.Context, targetVersion int32) (err erro
 		m.conn.Exec(ctx, "reset all")
 
 		// Add one to the version
-		_, err = m.conn.Exec(ctx, "update "+m.versionTable+" set version=$1", sequence)
+		_, err = m.conn.Exec(ctx, "update "+m.versionTable+" set version=$1 where version >= 0", sequence)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -475,17 +551,30 @@ func (m *Migrator) MigrateTo(ctx context.Context, targetVersion int32) (err erro
 }
 
 func (m *Migrator) GetCurrentVersion(ctx context.Context) (v int32, err error) {
-	err = m.conn.QueryRow(ctx, "select version from "+m.versionTable).Scan(&v)
-	return v, err
+	query := "select version from "+m.versionTable+" where version >= 0"
+
+	if m.lockingTx != nil {
+		err = m.lockingTx.QueryRow(ctx, query).Scan(&v)
+	} else {
+		err = m.conn.QueryRow(ctx, query).Scan(&v)
+	}
+
+	return
 }
 
 func (m *Migrator) ensureSchemaVersionTableExists(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
-	err = acquireAdvisoryLock(ctx, m.conn)
+	if m.lockingConn != nil {
+		// solve the bootstrap problem needing the table
+		// to lock and needing a lock to create the table
+		return m.createIfNotExistsVersionTable(ctx)
+	}
+
+	err = m.acquireLock(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		unlockErr := releaseAdvisoryLock(ctx, m.conn)
+		unlockErr := m.releaseLock(ctx)
 		if err == nil && unlockErr != nil {
 			err = unlockErr
 		}
@@ -495,13 +584,34 @@ func (m *Migrator) ensureSchemaVersionTableExists(ctx context.Context) (err erro
 		return err
 	}
 
-	_, err = m.conn.Exec(ctx, fmt.Sprintf(`
-    create table if not exists %s(version int4 not null);
+	return m.createIfNotExistsVersionTable(ctx)
+}
+
+// Not Thread Safe / Lock Safe
+func (m *Migrator) createIfNotExistsVersionTable(ctx context.Context) error {
+	_, err := m.conn.Exec(ctx, fmt.Sprintf(`
+		create table if not exists %s(version int4 not null primary key);
+
+		with initial(version) as (values (0))
+		insert into %s(version)
+		select * from initial
+		where 0=(select count(*) from %s);
+	`, m.versionTable, m.versionTable, m.versionTable))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if m.options.CockroachDbCompatible {
+		_, err = m.conn.Exec(ctx, fmt.Sprintf(`
+			create table if not exists %s_lock(lock boolean not null primary key default true);
+
+			with initial(lock) as (values (true))
+			insert into %s_lock(lock)
+			select * from initial
+			where 0=(select count(*) from %s)
+		`, m.versionTable, m.versionTable, m.versionTable))
+	}
 
-    insert into %s(version)
-    select 0
-    where 0=(select count(*) from %s);
-  `, m.versionTable, m.versionTable, m.versionTable))
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -545,13 +655,26 @@ func (m *Migrator) doSQLMigration(ctx context.Context, migration *Migration, dir
 	}
 	// Execute the migration
 	for _, statement := range sqlStatements {
-		if _, err := m.conn.Exec(ctx, statement); err != nil {
-			if err, ok := err.(*pgconn.PgError); ok {
-				return MigrationPgError{MigrationName: migration.Name, Sql: statement, PgError: err}
-			}
+		if err := m.sqlExecMigration(ctx, migration, statement); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
+
 	return nil
+}
 
+func (m *Migrator) sqlExecMigration(ctx context.Context, migration *Migration, statement string) error {
+	if disableRowLocks.MatchString(statement) && m.lockingTx != nil {
+		m.releaseLock(ctx)
+		defer m.acquireLock(ctx)
+	}
+
+	if _, err := m.conn.Exec(ctx, statement); err != nil {
+		if err, ok := err.(*pgconn.PgError); ok {
+			return MigrationPgError{MigrationName: migration.Name, Sql: statement, PgError: err}
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/migrate/migrate_test.go b/migrate/migrate_test.go
index cb16d34..bc42f6c 100644
--- a/migrate/migrate_test.go
+++ b/migrate/migrate_test.go
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func prepareDatabase(t testing.TB) {
 
 func currentVersion(t testing.TB, conn *pgx.Conn) int32 {
 	var n int32
-	err := conn.QueryRow(context.Background(), "select version from "+versionTable).Scan(&n)
+	err := conn.QueryRow(context.Background(), "select version from "+versionTable+" where version >= 0").Scan(&n)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	return n
 }
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func tableExists(t testing.TB, conn *pgx.Conn, tableName string) bool {
 
 func createEmptyMigrator(t testing.TB, conn *pgx.Conn) *migrate.Migrator {
 	var err error
-	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable)
+	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	return m
 }
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func TestNewMigrator(t *testing.T) {
 	defer conn.Close(context.Background())
 
 	// Initial run
-	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable)
+	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Creates version table
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ func TestNewMigrator(t *testing.T) {
 	require.True(t, schemaVersionExists)
 
 	// Succeeds when version table is already created
-	m, err = migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable)
+	m, err = migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	initialVersion, err := m.GetCurrentVersion(context.Background())
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ func TestLoadMigrationsNoForward(t *testing.T) {
 	conn := connectConn(t)
 	defer conn.Close(context.Background())
 
-	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable)
+	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	m.Data = map[string]interface{}{"prefix": "foo"}
@@ -476,12 +476,7 @@ func TestMigrateToBoundaries(t *testing.T) {
 	require.EqualError(t, err, "destination version 4 is outside the valid versions of 0 to 3")
 
 	// When schema version says it is negative
-	mustExec(t, conn, "update "+versionTable+" set version=-1")
-	err = m.MigrateTo(context.Background(), int32(1))
-	require.EqualError(t, err, "current version -1 is outside the valid versions of 0 to 3")
-
-	// When schema version says it is negative
-	mustExec(t, conn, "update "+versionTable+" set version=4")
+	mustExec(t, conn, "update "+versionTable+" set version=4 where version >= 0")
 	err = m.MigrateTo(context.Background(), int32(1))
 	require.EqualError(t, err, "current version 4 is outside the valid versions of 0 to 3")
 }
@@ -506,7 +501,7 @@ func TestMigrateToDisableTxInTx(t *testing.T) {
 	tx, err := conn.Begin(ctx)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
-	m, err := migrate.NewMigratorEx(ctx, conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{DisableTx: true})
+	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(ctx, conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{DisableTx: true})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	m.AppendMigration("Create t1", "create table t1(id serial);", "drop table t1;")
 	m.AppendMigration("Create t2", "create table t2(id serial);", "drop table t2;")
@@ -531,7 +526,7 @@ func TestMigrateToDisableTx(t *testing.T) {
 	conn := connectConn(t)
 	defer conn.Close(context.Background())
 
-	m, err := migrate.NewMigratorEx(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{DisableTx: true})
+	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{DisableTx: true})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	m.AppendMigration("Create t1", "create table t1(id serial);", "drop table t1;")
 	m.AppendMigration("Create t2", "create table t2(id serial);", "drop table t2;")
@@ -559,7 +554,7 @@ func TestMigrateToDisableTxInMigration(t *testing.T) {
 	conn := connectConn(t)
 	defer conn.Close(context.Background())
 
-	m, err := migrate.NewMigratorEx(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
+	m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	m.AppendMigration(
 		"Create t1",
@@ -580,7 +575,7 @@ func TestMigrationDisableFuncTx(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("with DisableFuncTx false Migrator runs function in a transaction ", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var inTxn bool
-		m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable)
+		m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
 		assert.NoError(t, err)
 		m.Migrations = []*migrate.Migration{
 			{
@@ -610,7 +605,7 @@ func TestMigrationDisableFuncTx(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("with DisableFuncTx true Migrator runs function outside transaction ", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var inTxn bool
-		m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable)
+		m, err := migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, versionTable, &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
 		assert.NoError(t, err)
 		m.Migrations = []*migrate.Migration{
 			{
@@ -676,7 +671,7 @@ func Example_onStartMigrationProgressLogging() {
 	}
 
 	var m *migrate.Migrator
-	m, err = migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, "schema_version")
+	m, err = migrate.NewMigrator(context.Background(), conn, "schema_version", &migrate.MigratorOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("Unable to create migrator: %v", err)
 		return