Since Dire Straits disbanded in 1995, Knopfler has recorded and produced nine solo albums and, as with his previous band, produced many hit songs. He has composed and produced film scores for nine films, including Local Hero (1983), Cal (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), Wag the Dog (1997) and Altamira (2016).
In addition to his work with Dire Straits, Knopfler has, as a solo artist, recorded and performed with many prominent musicians, including B.B. King, Chet Atkins, Chris Botti, John Anderson, the Chieftains, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, George Jones, Phil Lynott, Donal Lunny, Van Morrison, Steely Dan, Sting, Emmylou Harris , James Taylor and Sonny Landreth , sometimes working as a session musician. He has produced albums for Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, and Randy Newman.
Knopfler is a fingerstyle guitarist and was ranked 27th on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Knopfler and Dire Straits have sold in excess of 120 million records to date. A four-time Grammy Award winner, Knopfler is the recipient of the Edison Award, the Steiger Award and the Ivor Novello Award, as well as holding three honorary doctorate degrees in music from universities in the United Kingdom. Knopfler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018.
Haul Away
Mark Knopfler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you left the ship
You never were
A steady bold one
I gave my hand
Ah but you did slip
I’m a living man
So haul away
Haul away from here
My love’s as fair
As a girl can be
My wedding ring
Is a heavy gold one
Now you lay alone
In the deep dark sea
I’m a living man
And your a cold one
So haul away
Haul away for home
The morning brings
Lord a fresh young breeze
To fill our sails
To end the doldrums
Our lucky ship
Speeds across the sea
I’m a living man
And your a cold one
So haul away
Haul away for home
The lyrics of Mark Knopfler's song "Haul Away" tell the story of a man who deals with loss and betrayal. The song starts with the singer mentioning a windless night when someone, likely his lover, left the ship. This person was never a steady and brave one, and despite the singer trying to help them, they slipped away. The singer is left as the living one while the other is cold, possibly meaning that they have lost their life or soul.
The singer then mentions his love being as fair as a girl can be, and his wedding ring being heavy and made of gold. This stanza implies that the person who left the ship was potentially his spouse or significant other. However, this person now lies alone in the deep, dark sea. The singer acknowledges that he is alive, and the other person is dead, and urges them to haul away, away from this place.
The final stanza mentions the morning bringing a fresh young breeze that fills their sails, and they speed across the sea. This seems to signify that despite the loss and heartache, the singer and his crew must continue their journey and move forward. Overall, these lyrics have a melancholic tone and portray the struggles of losing someone close.
Line by Line Meaning
Was a windless night
It was a night with no wind
When you left the ship
You left the ship that night
You never were
You were never
A steady bold one
A confident and dependable one
I gave my hand
I offered my help
Ah but you did slip
But you slipped away from me
I’m a living man
I'm still alive
And your a cold one
You're dead
So haul away
So go away
Haul away from here
Go away from here
My love’s as fair
My love is as beautiful
As a girl can be
As any girl can be
My wedding ring
The ring I wear for my marriage
Is a heavy gold one
It's a significant and valuable ring
Now you lay alone
Now you're alone
In the deep dark sea
At the bottom of the sea
So haul away
So go away
Haul away for home
Go away and never return
The morning brings
In the morning
Lord a fresh young breeze
A new and invigorating breeze
To fill our sails
To help our ship move
To end the doldrums
To make a difficult situation better
Our lucky ship
Our ship that has been fortunate
Speeds across the sea
Moves quickly on the water
So haul away
So go away
Haul away for home
Go away and never return
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK KNOPFLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shiaschreiber8924
so emotional.
i have tears in my eyes.
Mark, you are truly the greatest guitarist ever and this is another belter of a track.
i am only 18, my uncle recommended you, and i listen to all your songs the whole time.
you are really inspirational and never have i heard such music that touches the heart and soul
Pure Genius !
warm regards
shia, from back in the USSR
@tarassmith2325
One of the most brilliant composers and guitarists to ever live, never have i heard such music that touches the heart and soul Pure Genius !
@jedanlik5597
I have heard many amazing musicians but Mark Knopfler is miles ahead of anyone in emotion
@shiaschreiber8924
so emotional.
i have tears in my eyes.
Mark, you are truly the greatest guitarist ever and this is another belter of a track.
i am only 18, my uncle recommended you, and i listen to all your songs the whole time.
you are really inspirational and never have i heard such music that touches the heart and soul
Pure Genius !
warm regards
shia, from back in the USSR
@WillsMusic-Namaste
Great comment, feeling and soul in his music and a guitar legend for sure
@vratyadeleon1928
Good to know that a young woman and her uncle are listening in Russia to the same man who is for me one of my favorites in the universe of music. I was 15 when i first saw him on stage in 1979. Ever since he has played a role in my life. In the last years even more. I learned several of his songs - mostly not the famous ones - by heart.
Greetings to the Russian family with the German name !
@MissDistarr60
He is not an entertainer. He is an "Artist". His music can bring a tear to the most hardened of people. A rare ability that is. Yes indeed....he is a rare and most cherished gem.
@jackneefus
"to fill our sails and end the doldrums . . . '
Knopfler writes like it's several hundred years ago.
For this song, that is a compliment.
@italino
Is Mark Irish ☘️? Such a romantic soul, love to listen to it, for decades now. Started with Sultans of Swing, never overclassed 👒🍀
@paulgriffiths3082
this man is a genious he has given me years of listening pleasure since the first dire straits album, thanks mark for a wonderfull journey may it long continue
@PrateekJain-pi9jc
I know right. The ragpickers dream made me cry the first time I heard it.