Words: traditional
Music: traditional arr. Will Rivers

A popular short-drag shanty – used for tasks that needed a short but powerful pull with a good long break between. The crew would have hauled on the word “Joe” and caught their breath in between. These are some of the verses we sing but – like the shantymen of old – we can keep making up new ones till the job’s done. Arranged by our own Will Rivers.

When I was a little boy and so my mother told me,
Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe,
That if I didn’t kiss the girls me lips would all grow mouldy,
Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe.

Away haul away, we’ll haul away together
Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe.
Away haul away, we’ll haul for better weather,
Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe.

So harken while I sing to you about me darling Nancy,
She’s copper-bottomed, clipper-built, she’s just my cut and fancy.

Louis was the king of France before the revolution,
Until the people cut off his head and spoiled his constitution.

Saint Patrick was a gentleman, he came from decent people,
He built a church in Dublin town and on it put a steeple.

You call yourself a second mate but you cannot tie a bowline,
You cannot even stand up straight when the packet she’s a-rolling.