Haul Away Joe: what the song means

Haul Away Joe is one of the most popular shanties. It lends itself to improvisation and has been covered by a huge number of folk singers. A popular alternative version is ‘Haul Away for Rosie’. The lyrics of the two versions are often used interchangeably.

We’ll dig into the history of the song, break down the lyrics, and share our favourite versions of the shanty. If you’re familiar with the tune and fancy singing it, check out our instrumental karaoke version of Haul Away Joe.

History of Haul Away Joe

This is known as a short-drag shanty – any work that required a short but powerful pull such as raising a sail. Every time the lyrics hit ‘Joe’ the sailors would all pull. Listen to the song with this in mind and you’ll get an understanding of the value that the shanty provided. The shantyman would keep adding verses until the work was complete.

The shanty can be traced back to the late 18th century. In the book “Folk Songs of Old New England”, it’s said that “Captain Charlton L. Smith,  master mariner and yacht master since 1889” recalls it being sung on ships he sailed on. For it to have been sung on multiple ships suggests the song’s origins are probably earlier than 1889.  

The book goes on to say “this chantey is thought to have appeared on Yankee ships sometime between 1812 and the Civil War, although it was known much earlier among British sailors.” Unfortunately, we don’t know how much earlier.

Haul Away Joe lyrics

When I was a little lad or so me mother told me

Way haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

That if I did not kiss the girls me lips would grow all mouldy

Way haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

–

(Chorus)

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

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

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

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

–

(Chorus)

–

Saint Patrick was a gentleman. He came from decent people

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

He built a church in Dublin town and on it put a steeple

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

–

(Chorus)

–

Once I was in Ireland a’digging turf and tatties

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

But now I’m on a Yankee ship a’hauling on the braces

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

–

(Chorus)

–

Once I had a German girl but she was fat and lazy

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

But now I got a Yankee girl, she damn near drives me crazy

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

–

(Chorus)

–

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

You call yerself a second mate, an’ cannot tie a bowline

You cannot even stand up straight when the packet she’s a rollin’

Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe

–

(Chorus)

What the lyrics mean

“Way haul away, we’ll haul away Joe”

Haul is another term for pull. It’s saying to pull on the rope. Everyone pulls together on the word ‘Joe’

“King Louis was the king of France before the revolution”

This is talking about Louis XVI who was the last King of France.  He was executed by guillotine in 1793 during the French Revolution.

“He built a church in Dublin town and on it put a steeple”

Dublin is the capital of Ireland. A steeple is a tall tower often housing a bell – commonly found in churches.

“Once I was in Ireland a’digging turf and tatties”

‘Digging turf’ is talking about the cutting of peat – one of the earliest used fossil fuels. It’s still used for home fires and to generate electricity to this day. ‘Tatties’ is a Scottish/Irish word for potatoes.

“But now I’m on a Yankee ship a’hauling on the braces”

The ‘braces’ are a nautical term that refers to ropes used to change the angle of the sail to the mast. It moves the ‘yard’ which is the spar the sail is attached to – this lets the ship catch the wind from a different direction. ‘Hauling on the braces’ literally means pulling on a rope.

“You call yerself a second mate, an’ cannot tie a bowline”

The ship’s hierarchy goes Captain, Chief (First) Mate, and then Second Mate. The Second Mate is primarily responsible for the ship’s navigation. A ‘bowline’ is a simple and common knot – often considered one of the most useful. Saying that the Second Mate can’t tie it is seriously questioning his abilities as a seafaring man.

“You cannot even stand up straight when the packet she’s a rollin’”

The ‘packet’ refers to 18th-century ships that sailed with a regular schedule. They were used to transport mail, cargo, and passengers. “A rollin’’ means they were in choppy water and the ship was getting rocked.

Best versions of Haul Away Joe

The Longest Johns

As always, The Longest Johns provide a version that is fun-filled and showcases their fantastic harmonies. 

The Eskies

This is a much more somber and serious version – you can really hear the emotion in their voices. It’s a very unique take on the song.

Marc Gunn

This Irish version of the song offers a fun take. The backing instruments give it a very lively vibe. Highly recommended.

Final thoughts

You’ve learned that Haul Away Joe is a collection of verses used to keep time when pulling ropes. There’s no overarching theme to the song as it’s been sung by so many singers who all modify it slightly. We explained the history, lyrics, and shared some of our favourite versions – think we missed a great one? Let us know in the comments.

If you’d like to try singing it, why not give our acoustic karaoke version a go?