Haul Away Joe

This is a traditional and well known sea shanty which has been recorded all over the world from England to America. For more info on sea shanties, and an original recording of this song, visit this blog from the Library of Congress. After each first and third line of the verse, you can add the response: ‘Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.’

When I was a little lad and so me mother told me,

Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

That if I didn’t kiss the girls me lips would grow all mouldy.

Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

Way haul away, we'll haul for better weather.

Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

Way haul away, we'll haul away together.

Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

King Louis was the king of France before the revolution.

And then he got his head chopped off which spoiled his constitution

Once I was in Ireland a'digging turf and taties.

But now I'm on a Yankee ship a'hauling on the braces.

The cook is in the galley boys, making duff so handy

The captain's in his cabin lads, drinking wine and brandy

I sailed the seas for many a year, not knowin' what I was missin'.

I set me sails afore the gales, an' started in a-kissin'.

                 So harken while I sing to you about my darlin' Nancy;

She's copper-bottomed, clipper-built and just my cut and fancy.

I got meself an Irish girl; her name is Kitty Flannigan.

She stole me boots, she stole me clothes, she stole me plate and pannikin.

You call yourself a second mate, you cannae tie a bowline

You cannot even stand up straight when the packet, she's a-rollin'

Well, now can't you see the black clouds a-gatherin'?

Well, now can't you see the storm clouds a-risin'?

Way haul away, rock and roll me over

Way haul away, well roll me in the clover.