Haul Away Joe

Sailor.jpg

This is a tack and sheet, short haul chantey. There are many verses and it may have been used as a halyard chantey as well. Sheet chanties were usually no longer than three or four verses. Sometimes the word ‘pull’ or ‘haul’ was used instead of Joe.

Although the chantey was known earlier among British sailors, it was not well-known on Yankee ships until the period between 1812 and the Civil War. It was obviously sung after the French Revolution.

Lyrics:
[Am] When I was a [Em] little lad
And [Dm] so my mother [Em] told me,
[Am] Way, haul [Em] away, we’ll [Dm] haul [E] away, [Am] Joe!
[Am] That if I did not [Em] kiss the gals
Me [Dm] lips would all grow [Em] moldy.
[Am] Way, haul [Em] away, we’ll [Dm] haul [E] away, [Am] Joe!

Way, haul away, the good ship is a-bolding,
Way, haul away, we’ll haul away, Joe!
Way, haul away, the sheet is now unfold-ing,
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!
But then he 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!
Way haul away, we’ll haul away together
Way, haul away, we’ll haul away, Joe!

The cook is in the galley boys
Making duff so handy
Way, haul away, we’ll haul away, Joe!
The captain’s in his cabin lads
Drinking wine and brandy
Way, haul away, we’ll haul away, Joe!

Way, haul away, I’ll sing to you of Nancy…
Way, haul away, we’ll haul away, Joe!
Way, haul away, she’s just my cut and fancy…
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!
Way haul away, we’ll haul away together
Way, haul away, we’ll haul away, Joe!