Haul Away, Joe!
Version 1
Music File
Lesley Nelson

Information
Lyrics
According to Stan Hugill, this is a famous tack and sheet shanty. Because of the many verses (he lists 20) he believes it may have been used as a halyard song (sheet shanties were usually no longer than three or four verses). Sometimes the word "pull" or "haul" was used instead of Joe.

The words and tune here are from Burl Ives. According to Eloise Linscott although the shanty was known earlier among British sailors, it was not well-known on Yankee ships until the period between 1812 and the Civil War.

There is another version of Haul Away, Joe! (2)

When I was a little lad
And so my mother told me,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe,
That if I did not kiss a gal
My lips would grow all moldy,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Way, haul away, we'll haul for better weather,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

King Louis was the King of France
Before the Revolution,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe,
King Louis got his head cut off
Which spoiled his constitution.
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Way, haul away, we'll haul for better weather,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

Oh the cook is in the galley
Making duff so handy
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe,
And the captain's in his cabin
Drinkin' wine and brandy
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Way, haul away, we'll haul for better weather,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

Related Links
From The Burl Ives Song Book and
Shanties from the Seven Seas
See Bibliography for full information.
And
Digital Tradition