Version 1
Info
This sea shanty dates back to the time of Henry VIII. The term “bowline” (rope) is antiquated, not in common use since the late 16th / early 17th century. (source: Locke)
Lyrics
(Sea shanty)
Haul on the bowlin’, the bully ship’s a-rolling,
Refrain
Haul on the bowlin’, the bowlin’ haul!
Haul on the bowlin’, Kitty is me darlin’. Refrain
Haul on the bowlin’, Kitty comes from Liverpool. Refrain
Haul on the bowlin’ so early in the mornin’. Refrain
Haul on the bowlin’, the old man’s a-growlin’. Refrain
Haul on the bowlin’, it’s a far cry to payday. Refrain
See also
- Subject: sea shanties
- Form: AB
- Harmony: chords I, IV, V
- Meter: 2 (version 1) / 6/8 (version 2) / two versions with different meter
- Scale: hexatonic
- Tones: drmslt
- Sources: Version 1 – Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to sing, read, and play, Eleanor G. Locke, 1981 / Version 2 – Book of a Thousand Songs, Albert Ernest Wier, 1918
Version 2
Lyrics
Haul on the bowlin’,
our bully ship’s a-rollin’,
Haul on the bowlin’, the bowlin’ haul!
Haul on the bowlin’,
our captain, he’s a growlin’,
Haul on the bowlin’, the bowlin’ haul!
YouTube
- PDF of song with chords
- MIDI file
- Listen to the melody