Johnny Collins (born May 10, 1938, died July 6 2009) was a London-based fo… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Collins (born May 10, 1938, died July 6 2009) was a London-based folk singer specializing in traditional shanties and maritime music. Joined the British Army in 1956, where he learned to play the guitar while posted in London. Was posted to Singapore in 1959 where he began performing in bars and cabarets in his off hours. Was posted to Hong Kong in 1965 where he began performing large concerts with other folk performers in the British and U.S. military. He also performed on television and radio (including the "Voice of America in East Asia") and played venues like the Hong Kong Hilton. In 1967 he was posted again to Singapore where he began his own folk club at the Anophel Inn. Tom Lewis and Pam Ayres performed there, among others. He was demobilized in 1968, and he began to perform full-time.

In 1983 he and Jim Mageean, performing as a duo, won the Intervision Song Contest in Rostock, in East Germany. Later, in 1987, they were invited by the East German government to perform at a sea shanty festival in Berlin commemorating the city's founding. Although recent heath problems have slowed him down, Collins continues to tour and perform worldwide including in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and France as well as making frequent appearances in his native country at Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races, and maritime festivals at Hull, Lancaster, Bristol, Dundee, Maldon, Portsmouth, Gosport, Greenwich and Chatham.

Partial discography

* Traveller's Rest (1973)
* Johnny's Private Army (1975)
* Make the Rafters Roar (1979) with Jim Mageean
* Free and Easy (1982)
* Live at Herga! (1982) with Jim Mageean
* Strontrace (1983) with Jim Mageean
* Pedlar of Songs (1993)
* Coming of Age (1996)
* Shanties and Sea Songs (1996)
* Now & Then

Leave Her Johnny
Johnny Collins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

oh the work was hard and the
wages low.
Leave ger Johnny, Leave her.
I guess its time for us to go
and its time for us to leave her.
Leave her Johnny leave her,
oh leave her Johnny, leave her.
For the voyage is long and the

winds don't blow and its time for
us to leave her.
Oh I thought I heard the old man say,
Leave her Johnny, leave her.
Oh tommorow you will get your pay
and its time for us to leave her, Leave her Johnny, leave her, oh, Leave her Johnny, leave her, for the voyage is long and the winds don't blow and it's time for us to
leave her.
The winds blew foul and the seas ran high.
Leave her Johnny, leave her.
We shipped up green and none went by
and its time for us to leave her, leave her
Johnny, leave her.
Oh the voyage is done and the wind don't
blow and its time for us to leave her.
The Knight was a Bucko and the man was a turd.
leave her Johnny, leave her.
and the****was a begger with a middle
name of work and its time for us to leave her.
Leave her Johnny, leave her, oh, leave
her Johnny, leave her.
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow and it's time for us to leave her.
The old man swears and the mate swears
too, leave her Johnny leave her.
The cree will swear and so will you and
its time for us to leave her, leave her Johnny, leave her, oh, leave her Johnny,

leave her.
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow and its time for us to leave her.

Overall Meaning

"Leave Her Johnny" is a traditional sea shanty that speaks to the harsh realities of life at sea. The song talks about the hard work, low wages, and tough conditions that sailors endured during their long voyages. The chorus, “Leave her Johnny, leave her” is a plea to abandon the ship and move onto something better. It is essentially a farewell to a ship that has been a sailor's home and livelihood.

The opening lyrics of the song paint a picture of the difficult work and poor pay that sailors experienced. This captures the grueling life of sailors who worked tirelessly on board ship for months on end. The chorus "Leave her Johnny, leave her" signals that it is time to move onto something new.

In the second verse, the harsh weather conditions are highlighted as "the winds blew foul and the seas ran high." Despite the challenges, the sailors continue to persevere. The last verse talks about how the crew will swear, including the old man and the mate, emphasizing the difficult conditions sailors are subjected to.

Line by Line Meaning

oh the work was hard and the wages low. Leave ger Johnny, Leave her.
The work was difficult and the pay was insufficient. It's time for us to depart from the ship.

I guess its time for us to go and its time for us to leave her.
It's time for us to leave the ship and move on.

Leave her Johnny leave her, oh leave her Johnny, leave her.
It's time to bid farewell to the ship, Johnny.

For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow and its time for us to leave her.
The journey is prolonged, winds don't support and it's time for us to escape.

Oh I thought I heard the old man say, Leave her Johnny, leave her.
I heard the captain say it's time to abandon the ship.

Oh tommorow you will get your pay and its time for us to leave her, Leave her Johnny, leave her, oh, Leave her Johnny, leave her, for the voyage is long and the winds don't blow and it's time for us to leave her.
You will be paid tomorrow, and it's time to leave the ship since the journey is prolonged and winds don't support.

The winds blew foul and the seas ran high. Leave her Johnny, leave her.
Strong winds and rough sea conditions prevailed. We need to abandon the ship now.

We shipped up green and none went by and its time for us to leave her, leave her Johnny, leave her.
We started as inexperienced sailors, and none could succeed. It's time to leave the ship.

Oh the voyage is done and the wind don't blow and its time for us to leave her.
The journey is over, winds don't support anymore, and it's time for us to leave the ship.

The Knight was a Bucko and the man was a turd. leave her Johnny, leave her.
The sailor was arrogant, and the man was selfish, and it's time to desert the ship.

and the****was a begger with a middle name of work and its time for us to leave her.
A beggar joined us, and he had a reputation for working hard. Nevertheless, it's time to abandon the ship.

The old man swears and the mate swears too, leave her Johnny leave her. The cree will swear and so will you and its time for us to leave her, leave her Johnny, leave her, oh, leave her Johnny, leave her.
Captain, mate, and sailors swear frequently, and it's time to leave the ship for all of us.

Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow and its time for us to leave her.
The journey is over, winds don't support, and now it's time to abandon the ship.

Contributed by Gavin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@christianronollo6171

9y↑1.6K

Corrected and "Perfected" lyrics to this sea chantey :)
[Leave Her Johnny]

O the work was hard and the wages low,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
I guess it's time for us to go,
And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done and the winds don't blow,
And it's time for us to leave her!

O I thought I heard the old man say,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
O tomorrow you will get your pay,
And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done and the winds don't blow,
And it's time for us to leave her!

The winds blew foul and the seas run high,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
We shipped em' green and none went by,
And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done and the winds don't blow,
And it's time for us to leave her!

The night was a buckle and the old man a'turg,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
And the bosun was a beggar with a middle name of work,
And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done and the winds don't blow,
And it's time for us to leave her!

The old man swears and the night swears too,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
The crew will swear and so would you,
And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done and the winds don't blow,
And it's time for us to leave her!

Their starboard pump is like the crew,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
It's all worn out and will not do,
And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done and the winds don't blow,
And it's time for us to leave her!

The rats have gone and we the crew,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
It's time they damned' that we went too!
And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done and the winds don't blow,
And it's time for us to leave her!

Well I pray that we shall ne'er more see,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
A hungry ship the likes of she!
And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done and the winds don't blow,
And it's time for us to leave her!

@Tarufox

3y↑51

Lyrics
Oh the work was hard and the wages low
Leave her Johnny, leave her
I guess it's time for us to go
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her Johnny leave her
Oh leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her
Oh i thought i heard the old man say
Leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh tomorrow you will get your pay
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh, leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her
The winds blew foul and the seas ran high
Leave her Johnny, leave her
We shipped up green and none went by
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her, Johnny, leave her
Oh leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the wind don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her
The knightsman was a bucco and the old man was a turk
Leave her Johnny, leave her
And the boatswain was a beggar with a middle name of work
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her
The old man swears, and the knightsman swears too
Leave her Johnny, leave her
The crew all swear, and so would you
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her
The starboard pump is like the crew
Leave her Johnny, leave her
It's all worn out and will not do
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her
The rats have gone and we the crew
Leave her Johnny, leave her
It's the time be damned that we went too
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her
Well I pray that we shall ne're more see
Leave her Johnny, leave her
A hungry ship, the likes of she
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh leave her Johnny, leave her
Oh the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her

@tendelglarcuivienen9828

9y↑285

lyric if anyone wants to know:

O the times are hard and the wages low,
Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
I guess it's time for us to go!
An' it's time for us to leave her!

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
O the voyage is done an' the winds don't blow,
An' it's time for us to leave her!

O I thought I heard the old man say,
O tomorrow ye will get your pay!

The winds blew foul and the seas ran high,
We shipped em' green an' none went by.

The mate was a bucko an' the old man a turk,
An' the bosun was a beggar with the middle name o' work!

The old man swears, and the mate swears to,
The crew all swear, and so will you!

The starboard pump is like the crew,
It's all worn out, and will not do.

The rats are gone, and we the crew,
It's time be damned, that we went to.

Well I pray, that we shall never more see,
A hungry ship the likes of she!

All comments from YouTube:

@proof4469

8y↑5.7K

I never sailed, and I never heard this song before, but why am I left with a strong feeling of nostalgia?

@beatthecrowd001

8y↑521

+You might want to start looking into your ancestry my friend

@ellamartell728

7y↑382

holy shit, after reading this comment I made some research and my ancestor was John martel a pirate

@thatbird2

7y↑309

Genetic Memory...

@cheesypnut9827

7y↑205

Felt the same thing so i did some research into my ancestry.
Apparently i'm related to a crew member of a dutch galley sailing on the trading routes between dutch colonies during the golden age of piracy.
Freaking awesome!
Probably why i feel so connected to the sea and ships.

@nguy8474

7y↑72

same here, north spaniards merchants who sailed and put a foot in south america in XIX century :D and a german river-sailor (Steamboats) who come from saxony, hail to my ancestors :D

180 More Replies...

@Anderson55616

3y↑2.4K

“Wake up lad! Huh? Pandemic? Riots? Nonsense my friend, let us go adventure is on the horizon!”

@janlauenstein2699

3y↑61

aaah if only

@joshharper8822

3y↑46

I shall join you

@uncal4411

3y↑24

Wait.. What happened to your accent mate?

@RobertJohnson-nz3xm

3y↑40

Yeah no. I'll take the current pandemic and riots in 2021 instead of living anywhere in the 1700s.

@scoutintime

3y↑11

this made me feel safe

40 More Replies...

@Vbytsia

8y↑6.1K

My grandfather died in Pearl Harbor. They played this at his funeral. I never actually met him, but I cried when I heard this.

@giacomomagno398

8y↑223

god bless your father, man

@jettyboy3651

8y↑148

Your grandfather is really really special to you, same with me my grandfather told me that my great grandfather died in pearl harbor and they played this at his funeral ;-;

@julianjosephson9924

8y↑63

May his memory always be for a blessing.

@twinlingerie8045

8y↑45

so japan was defending?
or you are just one of those UPAinians?

@rhubarbthesecond4222

8y↑107

Maybe learn some basic history before making disrespectful comments like that?

229 More Replies...

@squadintime5740

4y↑472

This is where real men cry.

@Chebab-Chebab

3y↑13

I donno. I pulled up my zip a bit too quickly last week. Got some loose sack.

@turtlegamez4274

3y↑7

I personaly can't handle Bones in the Ocean at all while this I can. This doesn't make me sad.

@mikekean8344

3y↑4

And drink a good pint or two.

@fritzandre7986

3y↑5

It's funny you should say that. It brings a tear to my eye. For me this song represents the passage of time and my friends telling me it's time to grow up now the party is over. The voyage is over and the winds don't blow.

@Gywachius7

3y↑1

if your name is johnny its double sadness

1 More Replies...

@senadkico2358

4y↑569

"In a world without gold, we could have been heroes"

@Nox-eg3rq

4y↑6

Pirets of the Caribbean ❤✌

@iupsilon5382

4y↑46

@@Nox-eg3rq no...

@Shadic135

3y↑48

Black Beard, Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag

@RealMiia

3y↑7

@@Nox-eg3rq Hag diya

@someanarchist6021

3y↑1

@@Nox-eg3rq nonce, also it's spelled pirate's

3 More Replies...

@mememaster-pj7xn

10y↑1.7K

For fucks sake, this song is NOT about wives, it's about leaving your ship after a voyage.

@k.o.t.o.r.5119

9y↑86

Lol way to misinterpret the lyrics of a song. I mean wives? Really?
They sing about leaving her after a "long voyage" so yeah, how come some think its about their lasses?

@Yorgar

9y↑52

K.o.t.O.R. 511 because there are people who don't ships, vehicles, and weapons are referred to in the feminine. due to my family's naval history i grew up with this tradition.

@DahjerCanaan

9y↑32

I thought it was about leaving the sea, cause the sea is usually referred to as a "she", ships too so both make sense to me.

@finnthehumanboy8824

9y↑83

Nathaniel Culbertson "there are people who don't ships" I don't ship, I car.

@Yorgar

9y↑6

notice i said vehicles as well

82 More Replies...

@johndespo423

8y↑2.3K

To Edward Kenway! 🍻He was a one good lad!

@Luca-pm3je

8y↑105

To Edward Kenway!

@johndespo423

8y↑67

+Mr Luke x3 To Captain Kenway!

@markhollingsworth6864

8y↑44

captain kenway would vote leave #brexit

@lukasnox392

8y↑74

to Edward Kenway in a world without Gold, you might have been a Hero. but hi is a badass

@iulianmircea1078

8y↑25

To Kenway ;(

83 More Replies...

@CornHolePatrol

7y↑2K

Someone played this through their mic on BlackWake as our galleon sank! XD

@Billy-bn1rp

4y↑27

CornHolePatrol that's awesome

@rook2111

4y↑25

Last place I expected to see ann old comment from you

@unfortunately_fortunate2000

3y↑8

@@rook2111 didn't even notice it was cornhole until seeing your reply... lmao

@robinruppert1554

For that comment i make an abo on your channel

@blath

@@Billy-bn1rp hwjjqjajaj mi iiAQiakk oooo huh yuu mmmm Ken lo look OojAjjz. Ma
Mmmm a a nM] a Kama era to ill

10 More Replies...

@olafvoigt130

2y↑97

An uncle of my wife wasn‘t allowed to be a mariner. So he joined choir with full heart. Due to pandemic situation his choir wasn‘t allowed to sing at his funeral. They played a song from a CD, so he sung at his own burial. 🥰

@Rob.DB.

1y↑3

Very cool !!!

@BigEpicAdam

3y↑146

ahhhh, i remember singing this with the lads back in 1723, such a good time. Despite all our efforts Johnny never actually left her!

@rico_soup

3y↑1

you're that old? (sorry if this is offensive)

@latunet962

3y↑1

@@rico_soup I guess it's a joke

@rico_soup

3y↑2

@@latunet962 ok then

@vinashak2048

3y↑5

@@rico_soup now you are going to get canceled

@edible0pig

2y↑2

I met Johnny the other day. Turns out she left him and has issued a restraining order.

3 More Replies...

@BlackSeedCH

8y↑2.3K

funeral song for my dad, german navy 1942 - 1945, sank 3 times and survived, loved ships and the sea (freedom), build modell ships from scratch till he died after long hard sickness where we looked for him to have a good life

@ngliscwarrior7290

8y↑230

No man is more free than the sons of the waves. R.I.P to your father.

@MrDeath-ci3my

8y↑17

i prefer the land myself

@colinhodges8971

8y↑2

so true

@RayRay-mj6pn

8y↑145

My heart goes to you and father r.i.p. My Opa served the German Merchant Marines during WWII early in the war. His ship was one of last to supply the Bismarck before going to North Africa. He was after sent to the Eastern Front to Stalingrad. To the day he died he still missed the sea.

@glishev

8y↑47

A light wind to his soul's voyage.

113 More Replies...

@AndrewJBoyer

7y↑867

Just got finished with a 5 month contract at Sea. Didn't think I'd miss the ship so much. It was certainly tough to "leave her."

@charleserickson3499

5y↑21

Andrew J. Boyer sounds like you were out in the Bering sea....exactly like my first time!!! 5.5 months, changed me for the better! Continued on for 2 more years. The sea will always have a special place in my heart.

@The50Fordman

4y↑9

@@charleserickson3499 Made several trips to the Bering Sea. It can be brutal in the winter. Broke my nose and scraped a bit of skin off when I got hit by a large wave on deck.

@uncledanni9352

4y↑3

What was your job at sea? I’ve been trying to find reasons to go on sea other than the navy and I can’t find any.

@aresgodofwar0422

4y↑2

@@uncledanni9352 fishing

@uncledanni9352

4y↑1

Itchbot200 oh can’t believe I did not think of that

13 More Replies...

@rinlaster2942

3y↑138

I'm a 19 year old whom never even touched a boat before, I can't help but shed a little tear when singing this in a trembling voice.

@clementwolf4081

3y↑4

i dream singing this in a pub or bar , but "the folks" here just dont find it any attraction cause its not the native language - for me .. its a dream cause like my ambitions they lay at the bottom - thank god mom taught me to learn scuba diving

@VictorLugosi

Because you know you’re not being a man, travelling and living free from communist propaganda.

@lukearmstrong1954

1y↑4

Yo dude I’m 22. Just got back home from my first voyage on a fishing boat. Did three months at sea. If you like these tunes and the thought of the sea you should look into Alaskan Factory Trawlers. It’s a good foot in the door to start a career on the water. You’ll work your ass off but it’s a fantastic adventure man.

@reecejulius9072

4y↑399

This song is a mix of happiness and sadness, like the end of a chapter of someone life

@gshark3511

3y↑17

Sad it's over, but happy it happened.

@francescosacca6674

3y↑12

In one word: melancholy

@afonsocarvalho4295

2y↑2

Yes the end of a ship active duty

@shadetreemech290

1y↑1

That's exactly what I said when I left my ship.

@davidogg81

8y↑128

There is no one sat in front of a computer or tablet/smart phone etc. (myself included) who could ever comprehend the hardship and treachery faced by our forefathers who would have sung this song knowing they were about to go and sail for years at a time. The benefit of such sacrifice we all take for granted daily. I reckon getting bolloxed and singing such songs was a pretty small part of what an incredible gift they unknowingly gave to humankind.

@CrabTastingMan

8y↑6

"hardship and treachery faced by our forefathers who would have sung this song knowing they were about to go and sail for years at a time" hmm... press-ganging eh?
Yeah, why do you think they had to give random men at coastal towns concussions or too much to drink and haul them off to ships and forcing to sign contracts after they wake up at sea/sign them during sleep and claim they did so the previous night?

@davidogg81

8y↑4

Ummmm. ...because life at sea was horrific?

@jointypointy3579

Hear hear. ^

@micheleferri2119

7y↑14

This song is meant for ships about to be dismissed, not girls or wives. +davidogg81

@davidogg81

7y↑1

Thanks for your helping me understand what this song is really meant for.

5 More Replies...

@frozi1541

3y↑243

Johnny is drinking too much.
Me: liver Johnny, liver.

@moyeenm.bhuiyan6249

3y↑5

underrated comment lol

@nether079

3y↑4

Now I can't listen to this song without hearing "Liver" instead of "Leave Her". Thank you

@LeLukLetsPlay

3y↑3

Johnny's answer: Leave her Mate, leave her...

@chubkins7831

Leave Johnny alone he wants this

@Gywachius7

3y↑1

from now on my liver is called johnny

3 More Replies...

@TheAmericanDane

3y↑83

Sea shanty’s are overkill for making a man more willing to work hard and as a team. I only need to listen to one and I feel like I could board a ship and take it single handedly. This, 15 bottles and Spanish ladies 👌🏼

@vader-crusader1851

3y↑438

normal people: oh there talking about leaving there wives right?

me: if you only knew

@anotherliluselessshit1402

3y↑3

What s the context mate

@anotherliluselessshit1402

3y↑1

*content

@suarez9108

3y↑57

@@anotherliluselessshit1402 Singing about their ships that can't sail anymore

@ignorantman6366

3y↑15

@@suarez9108 reminds me of the episode from One Piece

@suarez9108

3y↑10

@@ignorantman6366 Going Merry

8 More Replies...

@mrsupaloco

10y↑438

I know it's about leaving a ship but I've decided this is going to help me get through losing a friend :)

@LeortisBooks

9y↑14

mrsupaloco Basically the same concept really.

@IDMYM8

4y↑1

:_)

@drdc97

2y↑5

I agree my friend John died back in September

@kennotis929

10w↑1

Me too

@ZachBrannigan

9y↑277

I swear the other people in the house think I'm crazy, but I could go along with this simple, yet elegant, yet catchy tune for many times over.

@majidrooinparvizi8649

9y↑20

yes sir. i tried it at a party with some friends and they were looking at me like wtf???! such boring jerks

@deltacomander13

9y↑17

Majid Rooin Parvizi Throw 'Em overboard

@bennouisaddam

6y↑1

Me too

@mikekean8344

6y↑1

Fuck them. You aren't weird. Perhaps you need some new blokes to hang around with.

@l.davidson5860

4y↑3

really really late but don't worry about people like them if it isn't mainstream then they cant like it everyone is sheep

3 More Replies...

@nicholasstanforth1803

3y↑55

My grandfather was in the U.S Navy and was on the USS KITTY HAWK and was a sailor so when I started singing this song he smiled and started to sing with me

@zuzumontague

10y↑393

I want this song sung at my funeral when I die.

@Tom-zw4th

10y↑6

but then adjusted to the circumstances i guess :)

@peacoatcubed

7y↑6

I want this song and the Moonmen song from Rick & Morty.

@emilycarter3246

6y↑2

You understand the song, then:)

@hersheedenwerf

same

@eelkeniemeijer1639

same

10 More Replies...

@laurelcrayon1

5y↑31

I’m on the sailing crew of the 1877 barque Elissa based in Galveston, TX. She’s the 3rd oldest ship in the world that still sails, and it’s done by a 100% volunteer crew and a handful of professional officers, boson, engineer and cook. Every spring, we sing this shanty at the conclusion of our two-week series of day sails, after we’ve put the ship to bed and are tired as all get-out. We sing late into the night, passing bottles of bourbon and rum in a circle and making up custom verses as we go. It starts out very solemn and progressively gets more hilarious. After the amount of sweat and teamwork it takes to sail a square rigger, even for 8-24 hours at a time, you have to laugh at the end so you don’t cry.

@evancloss2991

35w↑1

seriously it still sails?!?!?!? how much experience does one need to join the crew? can anyone volunteer to sail?

@Steel-101

14w

Oooh YEAH! Love Galveston and the Elissa! Grew up there and went to college there. I haven’t had a chance to be on the ship yet but at some point I’m gonna go.

@adamrosenhamer3762

8y↑1.8K

i swear Im goin to get my friends to learn this song and sing it at graduation

@Kothlim

8y↑18

Check out Parting Glass as well.

@chubbycakes6446

8y↑35

I guess you will swear and the mate swears too...Leave her Johnny Leave her! The whole crew swears and so will you...

@adamrosenhamer3762

8y↑2

CHUBBYCAKES hahahahah nice dude i like that

@chubbycakes6446

8y↑1

thanks!

@adamrosenhamer3762

8y↑2

CHUBBYCAKES hey good humor deserves recognition

69 More Replies...

@xXTheBennyXx

3y↑657

This song is a sea song or ballad which was traditionally saved for the last day of a voyage, after which all crew would disembark the ship.

The song would not be sung on naval ships, instead only on Private or Pirate ships, due to the fact that the lyrics were often re-written to mock the Captain, Quartermaster, and other senior members of the crew, whereas in navies, the disrespect of senior officers and crew would usually end in punishment.

The title of the song refers to ‘Her’, which is, in this case, the Ship which the crew were manning, as Ships are all traditionally referred to with feminine pronouns in Western, English speaking cultures, among seamen. The ‘Johnny’ spoke of in the title is merely a general, “John Doe” style name for men in the times of sea songs, and is perhaps where the name “John Doe” branches from.

@hr.danskerrigtigdansker2530

3y↑9

Thanks for some free Education 👍🏻

@somethingfromnothing3218

3y↑7

Shipshank skill increased lvl up

@ulysses_grant

3y↑26

Wait until the genre activists discover this song and try to cancel it because it sings "her" and not "them".

@connorross4571

3y↑1

Interesting.

@dammit3048

3y↑2

Thank you for the explanation. It only makes this song more beautiful

10 More Replies...

@Jesus-cy9iy

5y↑143

To me, what i feel, is a captain who doesnt want to leave his ship, so to prove that it can still do the job he takes his crew on sea, halfway through the voyage he sees how the sail bairly catches wind, the wood moldy and not even rats would enter the dying ship, taking the wheel he turns back to port and begins to sing the main vocals, as the crew sings along listening to there captain sing all the warnings he was givin, and how he wishes he didnt have to abandoned a long loved member of the crew, the ship that carried them to any glory they fought for

@Pepe-ts9ec

5y↑3

Jesus Correct.

@TheMusicLauncher

5y↑4

The captain will either save everybody on board or will die trying.

@IDMYM8

4y↑3

Is the Captain's name Johnny by any chance :D

@moominpic

4y↑5

It was traditionally sung at the end of a voyage by the sailors as they cleared the ship. It could be considered mutinous to sing it before the end of the voyage.

@DMNssms

2y↑7

Absolutely the best version

@christianronollo6171

9y↑1.6K

@stupiditycrusader2368

8y↑17

THANK YOU

@thetrollercoaster9607

+Reece Bauman welcome.

@_Fornad

8y↑25

+Christian Ronollo It's "mate" not "night".

@christianronollo6171

8y↑4

A turk?? Really. No. It's a turg.

@christianronollo6171

***** Check urban dictionary dumb arse.

36 More Replies...

@jonathanstrong7682

8y↑92

We never forget our ships.

@The50Fordman

4y↑1

That's the truth. Good or bad and the Captains too.

@kghardesty

Good or bad, they stay with us in ways big and small...

@ghostknight2011

2y↑5

Johnny Won!!

@CarmellaJelenVanDeLeur

7y↑2

my ship sunk awhile back. and this song popped in my head. I cried because it was more than just a boat to me.
RIP little Nelson

@aishahassanfarah7222

🖕 fuck

@luighost9917

3y↑16

Hey, its 2021, this is popular again

@jamiecarle93

4y↑5

I see this song being not just about a boat, but dealing with tough changes, could be addictions, family, home, friendships ,work. etc. its more than a boat.

@del3teo664

4y↑1

All those things are what people connect with their ships. Thats why this song is so emotional, a ship is connected to everything that you experience on it. It hurts to let these things go once and foreall.

@julianprice2815

8y↑142

This was my favorite shanty from Black Flag. The first time it brought a tear to my eye.

@catsmoo6432

8y↑2

check out Sean dagher ' version. he sang for the game and has a rendition with a small orcistra

@perpetualchange1

8y↑6

I imagine a sparse group of Orcs playing classical instruments, with varying degrees of skill.

@colememelord3992

This is my favourite one two

@rickybalboa1521

perpetualchange1 lmfao Thanks for that hilarious thought. Made my day.

@jcb986h2

Same...

1 More Replies...

@krispykrep912

3y↑18

This isn't just about a ship, it's about the vehicles that served humankind and helped give rise to civilizations. They kept us safe through our journeys and it's sad to see something so useful in our lives be on it's last breath.

That said, goodbye my childhood bicycle.

@sparkymikey25

no, no it is not.

@polentusmax6100

Some good memories of my chilhood bycicle, but some bad, like the time the chain escaped and i crashed my ball sack.

@krispykrep912

@@polentusmax6100 holy shit are u okay mate?

@polentusmax6100

@@krispykrep912 i think i crashed one ball, otherwise, yes, i survived.
I strong recomend a girls bike with a lower frame so if this shit happens to your kid he will not suffer the same curse as me.

@RickJacked

10y↑39

Sometimes when a loved one dies you know that you'll never forget them, but part of it is that you must learn to accept it and live your life. Don't know why, but I thought of that after having not heard this song since a sixth grade field trip to a old boat in San Francisco bay.

@HermanLabuschagne

10y↑10

“We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everyhwere.” - Tim McGraw

@HermanLabuschagne

10y↑1

I was on a trip down the west coast once, with two good friends and an old Cadillac - but we turned around just before we reached San Francisco. Now that you have provided a destination for me, I will have to go back again and finish my journey.

@ivn4o

10y↑1

you know that he is singing about his ship that he have to live the ship

@tyrmcasgard8336

10y↑2

PrinceofUSA That is the great thing about music my friend, it can have many interpretations and the only true meaning is the from the artist and the recipient of such great passion.

@ivn4o

10y

Thor McAsgard SHHH its about ship :D :D JK ye i know that and whit music you can say soo mutch more

@PutridXII

10y↑95

This and drunken sailor are my favorite shanties at the moment. ^^ This one is sad in sound and lyric. Great piece of work.

@fabianku8215

10y

I totally agree! but dota is better ....... fading away ....

@Cascco

10y↑19

Fabian Kuchlig
gtfo with your DOTA

@skinflute

10y

i have to say add, randy dandy-o. 3 awesome songs. I used to listen to these shanties back in the day when i was a first maid on a container vessel :)

@dvkevin

10y↑1

Heard 'Lowlands away' yet? One of the most profound and beautiful shanties I've heard.

@ANNOHistory

10y↑1

Spanish Ladies for a more upbeat ambience.

2 More Replies...

@Veronica102788

9y↑901

I dont care if ships are just an object. Im a ship fanatic and if I were to captain a ship i would have a hard time letting it go . To me ships are more than just a object . Its the thing that keeps you alive on the sea . Wich makes sense as to why they refer to a ship as a she. It like a mother that carries her child for safty. Watching a ship sink or leaving it behind cant be easy for some people that are obsessed with ships . And this song has a history. Most sea shanties from the past are pretty much about someones story that went wide in rumors . Most sea shanties have a history wich is pretty neat . Ships have no feelings true but there is a bond that some people have had back in the day. Its like that one object you treasured and can never toss it aside . Ships are georgous and its sad to see it go sometimes. There is alot of history based in the carribean and off the coast or Eroupe. Should give them a look if yallare into histroy . I love history even though its not 100%

@togglebogle4366

9y↑6

Agreed 100%

@vf.nightcore

9y↑32

+Veronica Warren A tear just fell from my eye reading this while listening to the beautiful song, sitting in my own little ship and looking out at the sunset over the horizon. I grew up on a boat, and my family's been sailors for generations. My grandfather was the Captain of his own ship, digging for sea shells in our local fjord. When the company he worked for suddenly closed and his ship taken from him, he gave up on life. His father and grandfather both drowned. Though my own boat is no bigger than 24 feet, she can withstand forceful weather as she raises beautifully over the waves. "Tailwind" is her name and it hurts me to leave her side. All true sailors are silent to this song, a sad and beautiful moment to be shared over the seas.

@vf.nightcore

9y↑12

@exe.m1dn1ght

9y↑8

+Veronica Warren pirate ancestors right here

@JcGross93

8y↑18

+Veronica Warren Not to mention the sheer ammount of labour that went into building them. Just thinking about how much human effort it took to make a ship is staggering.

35 More Replies...

@lewiscase546

1y↑4

I wish I had known about this song - it would have been absolutely perfect for my retirement ceremony from the military.

@TheCopyNinja733

7y↑4

This song has such a deep meaning. Once you sail your ship for so long, you get a connection to it, and poor Johnny can't leave it.

@dwightsnyman7637

3y↑13

"Maybe I should re-enlist. I can't leave her like this."
"Remember all the bad times though Johnny. All the work and discomfort. Finally we are free."
"Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?"

I am sure this kind of conversation happened many times.

@lacethefirebender2099

3y↑5

Can we give a 5 second clap to this not having ads

Edit: it’s now monetized, spoke too soon

@aboutlifeabouttime4955

3y↑2

We played this at our closing ceremony of our online summer camp, it was the end of a beautiful Adventure, the theme of the camp was seiling , listening to this makes me want to live it again .

@aboutlifeabouttime4955

now am just listening to it because i want to leave life, it sounds to me as a sinking ship in the middle of a still sea, i have no desire to carry on with anything, am just waiting for a miracle because honestly i can't see how things can ever get better

@slik-0974

@@aboutlifeabouttime4955 hang In there man. Life is a bitch. But just remember when you hit rock bottom you can only go up. The best you can do is set yourself up for success. You've got this!

@aboutlifeabouttime4955

@@slik-0974 thanks dude, it does feel like rock bottom i hope i will know how to get out of this.

@benkoops7866

3y↑3

Been listening all week, cant get it out of my head now. Keep singing it to myself.

@YungSancHo

7y↑42

This is a certified banger

@Lady_Jack

5y↑311

They should play this for Johnny depp in the very last pirates of the Caribbean

@abhyshekr

4y↑8

There won't be a last potc

@eggman6888

Abhyshek R why not?

@jinggu.

4y↑1

@Abhyshek R huh why

@sullivanandlithium

4y↑8

I think they have already moved on from Johnny Depp.. 😭😭

@Lady_Jack

4y↑4

@@sullivanandlithium awww I wish they hadn't

16 More Replies...

@jackofwheels40

5y↑1

Got into a car accident and my truck was totaled. I'm grieving her. R.I.P. Trigger. Named after a horse in a western. You were just as if not more reliable. Your sturdy frame protected me from being injured worse than a sprained ankle. Thank you, old girl.

@DormantGENT

9y↑63

Best song ever recorded by man

@musicbox193

9y↑3

Bobby Harris do you mean as in recorded by a human or as in recorded by someone of the male gender

@GGPiani

9y↑20

musicbox193 Shut the fuck up

@charlesschaefer1974

Bobby Harris you might right. hear ` haul away jo`

@gdalvier6912

@@musicbox193 man mankind you dumb fuck

@legendairy9867

Bohemian rhapsody : Am I a joke to you?

4 More Replies...

@Sgttrptz

3y↑3

My great uncle was a sailor in World War Two. He was killed in an explosion in the Coral Sea. He is buried in Honolulu. He was twenty five.

@Marlin123

2y↑2

The consiquences of war

@moriderschowitz5020

9y↑884

Rip piratebay

@RCompleto

9y↑81

Pirate bay is like Hydra, cut one domain, another one shall rise in its place!

@joergsprachsprechen8214

9y↑63

RCompleto09 Pirate bay is back mate, it's now in costa rica(.cr)! A true pirate never dies!

@moriderschowitz5020

9y↑42

kill a pirate and he becomes davy jones. better and stronger

@rylanacker

9y↑5

Enzo Ciarlini THat's actually just a proxy, not the actual site.

@archiboldterwilager2563

9y↑2

Rylan Acker From what I've seen the comments are gone, this makes downloading anything a crapshoot. I sincerely hope I'm using the wrong site or something because this issue makes pirate bay pretty much dead to me.

9 More Replies...

@magosialubryka6766

9y↑457

Liver, Johnny, Liver.

@immatryitout6816

9y↑7

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!*

@magosialubryka6766

9y↑88

Imma Try It Out Thank you, Captain Obvious.

@immatryitout6816

9y↑4

@Emperor.Penguin.

8y↑14

+Małgosia Lubryka no it's "leaver, Johnny, leaver"

@shivajikaushik21

8y↑8

Johnny liver is an actor..
lmao

16 More Replies...

@Roelles

9y↑35

R.I.P johnny Collins god be by your side.

@capnbobretired

9y↑15

I had this song on a CD and my last trip to sea before I retired I played it each watch. My helmsman complained so much that the old man told me to stop. At the time I was annoyed, but I just smile now. In fact, I smile a lot now.

@KingofHumility

11y↑5

Truly beautiful. It just stirs something deep inside of you, something completely inexplicable. I've never heard anything like it. Flawless.

@lewiscase546

1y↑2

Lovely. I wish I’d had this played at my retirement ceremony. How apt.

@RosseRue

7y↑3

i have suddenly fallen in love with this song!! i cant stop playing it💖💖💖

@Flurizon

10y↑514

this is what i play when my cpt morgan has reached it's last drop

@ImAdapt73

10y↑36

Hahahaha just pictured it. As you stare sadly at the the empty bottle for a minute.

@Flurizon

10y↑5

yep haha!

@darienferguson8420

10y↑3

@Randonneur80

10y↑3

Comment made my day!

@Flurizon

10y↑4

Randonneur80 Im Glad mate :)

15 More Replies...

@Ida-iu3uj

3y↑6

This one always makes me teary-eyed, how devoted the sailors are to their ship. Even the rats abandoned, but not Johnny. Bittersweet lyrics. Love it. :')

@michaelsndergaard2912

3y↑2

BLACK FLAG for life. ive been playing the soundtrack in my car. and i normally repeat this one a few times every time i listen to it. its fantastic.

@Hell_of_the_Ball

3y↑5

songs like this call to my inner self, staring out to sea praying for my love's safe return, knowing the sea will always be his first wife.

@metaljacket8128

4y↑4

I could listen for hours. Lovely

@basti1615

4y↑6

god, this is beautiful. I got tears.

The perfect working music, btw.

@maiteyailengarciacarallero8811

52w

Affiora in me il ricordo dei miei antenati❤️💗. Grazie .

@matthewphillips766

10y↑10

This, me hearties, is a fine shanty. "Johnny" represents any sailors who felt a tinge of sadness after leaving his beloved tall ship.

@jtixtlan

8y↑32

Makes my heart break for having left my last ship and the Merchant Marine. I loved it so.

@ljahnatyrell

8y↑2

We sang this shanty after a two week journey on the Großherzogin Elisabeth from Germany to Scotland and back. I'm still crying because it was such a wonderful experience...

@ifthousayestso

+ljahnatyrell
So envious here

@MellowWater

6y↑2

After a harsh voyage it must have been really hard to leave the frigate. The lyrics is so beautiful. I can imagine all the sailors singing this song on the deck.

@StevenParrisWard

10y↑3

Wonderful singing from a great English folk singer.

@estrellaz8208

4y↑5

I've never heard this but it gives me chills and nostalgia.

@quackquack8775

4y↑1

Check your genes. One of your ancestors could have been a pirate. I know an ancient duck was like that. Maybe some of your humans too

@TommyDaSavage

14w↑1

My dad is on his deathbed right now & this was one of his favorite songs. I’m dying just listening to this.

@vanjatanevski962

4y↑2

One of the best shanties ever. Always brings tears in my eyes

@Tarufox

3y↑51

@darkoni95

38w↑1

Sweet thx

@mikekean8344

6y↑4

A jolly good tune! Well done Lads, well done indeed!

@papalegba6759

2y↑1

heard this sung at a funeral when i was a kid. never forgot it.

@ducky8366

1y↑1

It's 12AM and this was recommended by YT. Thanks.

@brooklyn2143

3y↑3

Me, my dad, and my 2 older brothers play this kind of music in the car and my dad told us that his dad would play this kind of music the whole week of sant Patrick’s day and that’s why that’s his favorite holiday is sant Patrick’s day! So when it’s the week of sant Patrick’s day I’m going to play this on the Bluetooth all week I’m memory of my dads dad (also we are Irish lol so yah)

@heathenkween7393

10y↑4

This is seriously my favorite chantey of all time. A character in the show Penny Dreadful began singing it and I nearly died.

@Terrdemarzielle

10y↑2

It must be a powerful experience for Johnny Collins to sing 'Leave her Johnny'

@mapatterson22

4y↑2

I knew Johnny Collins. He was a larger than life character. We always had fun when he was in the room:} x

@greasyunionguy7761

5y↑11

This tune is about the bitter end of a seafarers voyage. In 2019 the two best days of a sailors life is the day he gets on on a ship and the day he gets off that ship. Just the same as the old days. Edit: I'm a merchant mariner.

@EditedByJd

greasy union guy I’m interested in joining is the salary decent?

@greasyunionguy7761

5y↑1

@@EditedByJd it's not bad at all

@The50Fordman

4y↑1

@@EditedByJd I spent 26 years going to sea. The pay is good once you get up in rank. You get to see 2/3 of the world (the water). It isn't conducive to having a family life *(3 wives and counting) but you get fed, a warm place to sleep and regular paydays, plus you get to see some interesting places. Sometimes I miss it but then I get sober and come to my senses.

@greasyunionguy7761

@@The50Fordman no argument 50 fordman. If someone is interested, look at maritime academy and union apprenticeships i guess. It's not for everyone.

@pgxenosgr

Leaving home but starting your voyage versus going home and leaving the mates and good lady behind, tough to beat either of these days.

1 More Replies...

@kman80923

4y↑17

Why is this song so good? And other shanties

@isaacharkton6169

It’s an English shantie

@mrosson

10y↑2

new anthem song, and believe me, this gets everyone involved at the pub!

@claradaye7311

2y↑2

I'm actually going sailing with the navy soon and this song reminds me of my family that have served with the navy.

@jamesalvarez8149

6y↑4

This was absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing

@shawncoyle9530

3y↑3

I want this played at my funeral

@jasonlasick4396

3y↑2

This song is a thing of beauty

@otherpatrickgill

3y↑1

best version I've heard

@Rehabsockstar

8y↑5

I first heard this when playing assassins creed. man what an awesome experience when playing and listing to sea shanties

@edwardbadalcma6848

9y↑15

I have a strong naval heritage too - I sit on inflatable rafts and get drunk, been doing it for years.

@stolgol5277

3y↑1

the best music my ears have ever heard greets from Turkey

@eegester

5y↑2

I've only spent a cumulative 22 months at sea, but this song is nothing but truth. You hate that tub and most people on it, but god damn it's sentimental when you return to your homeport. I've sang this on many a watch, not that shanties are popular these days, but nobody can hear you over the scream of the machinery.

@calebthomas7763

10y↑24

Actually Naval Heritage means a lot to of people even me cause my family since 1600s have been in the British or American navy and I am a United States Marine and proud of my Naval Heritage

@paulmahon5834

10y↑2

Good Lad!

@taffy3350

9y↑1

And so ye should be LAD

@georgeperalta936

9y↑4

Good on you! The British had one the greatest navies of all time and since quite a few Americans came from British ships it seems the seamanship is still running strong even under a different flag!

@maxsams84

9y↑2

Semper' fi'. Orah'!!!

@Sam22music

9y↑1

Mathew Willis It's best not to take things like that so seriously.

1 More Replies...

@tendelglarcuivienen9828

9y↑285

@larrybelitsky1444

7y↑1

Tendelglar Cuiviénen - This particular chanty, will always be true.
Much like your own Mother, Wife, G.F. & Sister, so it is with your Command. It's always a Love/Hate relationship. Ya hate their guts at times, yet you always go back to 'em because you know they have your best interests at heart & will take you back when nobody else will

@ismailoguz4114

6y↑1

Tendelglar Cuiviénen I am Turk too

@superimposedtab

3y↑1

By far the best version of this song I've heard yet

@bobbarker9398

This really sums up my life right now in so many ways. Glad I came across it, good song...

@peacefullif3813

3y↑3

This song is beautiful

@BitchItsJules

4y↑6

Sitting around the mainmast of our ship, the first mate begins to sing. Soon, all our voices join together in chorus as we sing the final chantey of our voyage. It's been a long journey to cross the ocean and our ship, she now sits anchored at port. The night air is silent but for a soft breeze that sweeps over us through the rigging and on towards the open sea. Arms around one another, a tear slips from my eye into my rum, knowing that the voyage is done, and it's time for us to leave her.

@welshlad4518

4y↑2

Never heard this before in my life but I just came across it and it's amazing

@Johnsscepticals

Saw him live many a time as a child. His voice will define shanty for me for the rest of my life.

@ied0626

10y↑92

How I wish for a time machine I love the sea and I love hard work I would trade anything to be on a ship exploreing the seas

@digiboy97

10y↑1

toshay damian

@sickedhero

10y↑25

Do it. the work was hard and the wages low. This is true. Seaman since 17 for 11 years. The best mistake of my life.

@MattNavActual

10y↑1

im just about to complete my training as a deck cadet. going into 3rd officer on oil tankers. i have also completed 4 trips on the TS royalist prior to training.

its better than you imagine ha :)

im 22 and have physically been around the globe already, crossed the dateline on friday the 13th, been accepted into neptunes court...... life is grand listening to these too ha

@plitas

10y↑2

BudgieThunder I'm about to wipe my ass after a 25 min shitting session in the company of my laptop, next I'm gonna make my 3rd coffee of the day, since it's cold as fuck, on a cup fingerpainted by my daughter when she was 4. I have other 4 or 5 cups I could drink from, including one I got from a cruise to the Bahamas on my honeymoon 9 years ago aka prior to my engagement. We all have cool stories to tell our grandsons, high 5!