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Haul Away Joe

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A short-drag shanty so ubiquitous that its name is almost synonymous with the very term "sea shanty". While its first commercial recording was a performance by Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter in the 1940s, written references exist dating back to 1859,[1] placing its likely origin in the mid-19th century.

This song has been performed by nearly every folk singer in the last century; the variations in lyrics and arrangement are positively staggering. It appears as the opening track on Between Wind and Water, and was also released as a live recording on the physical copy of the album Bones in the Ocean.

Factoids[]

The word "constitution" in the verse about King Louis is a synonym for "health"; it is a joke of understatement, as getting one's head cut off would certainly ruin one's health. France at the time very notably did not have a constitution (hence the decapitations).

Lyrics[]

These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns on their album Between Wind and Water.

When I was just a little lad or so me mammy told me
(Away, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe)
That if I didn't kiss the girls, me lips would grow all moldy
(Away, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe) [continues throughout]

{Chorus}
Away, (ho!) haul away! We'll haul away together!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe
Away (ho!) haul away! We'll haul for better weather!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe

I used to have an Irish girl but she got fat and lazy
But now I've got a Bristol girl and she just drives me crazy

{Chorus}

Old Louis was the king of France before the revolut-i-on
But then he got his head chopped off an' it spoiled his constitut-i-on

{Chorus}

You call yourself a second mate, you cannae tie a bowline
You cannot even stand up straight when the packet, she's a-rollin'

{Chorus}

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

{Chorus}

Recordings[]

Streaming/Purchase[]

YouTube Videos[]

Gig Videos[]

Full Band Streams[]

Chill Streams[]

Gaming Streams[]

  1. ↑ https://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/Doe004.html
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