Haul Away Joe
Okee Dokee Brothers Lyrics
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I'm going to Louisiana
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
To buy to a dog and a muddy ol' hog and marry Susianna
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
My mother told me long ago she wished I'd be a lawyer
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Way, haul away, we're bound for better weather
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Haul away Joe boys
Meeting on up with the old St. Croix
Keep a rowing me boys
It's a raftman's life for me
Haul away Joe boys
Floating on down the Illinois
Keep a rowing me boys
It's a raftman's life for me
Toy cars and candy bars are just a waste of money
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Cornbread is all you need with butter beans and honey
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Sing a song and get along way down to Sarasota
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Then hop a barge up through the Arch and back to Minnesota
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Way, haul away, we're bound for better weather
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Haul away Joe boys
Meeting on up with the old St. Croix
Keep a rowing me boys
It's a raftman's life for me
Haul away Joe boys
Floating on down the Illinois
Keep a rowing me boys
It's a raftman's life for me
Keep a rowing me boys
It's a raftman's life for me
The Okee Dokee Brothers' song "Haul Away Joe" is a lively and upbeat tune about the adventures of a group of raftsmen who are setting off on a journey to Louisiana. The song tells the story of their journey, which involves buying a dog and a "muddy ol' hog" and marrying a woman named Susianna. The lyrics also mention the singer's mother, who had wanted him to become a lawyer, and how he does not have a traditional employer. Throughout the song, the raftsmen keep singing "way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!" to keep the rhythm of their rowing and to keep their spirits high.
The song captures the sense of adventure and the freedom that comes with being a raftman, embodying the spirit of a bygone era when travel and exploration were more difficult and dangerous. The lyrics also hint at the simplicity of life during that time, with a focus on cornbread, butter beans, and honey as essential staples, and a disdain for toy cars and candy bars as wasteful.
Overall, "Haul Away Joe" is a fun and energetic song that celebrates the joy of travel, adventure, and camaraderie.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye and don't you cry
Saying farewell without showing any sadness
I'm going to Louisiana
Heading to a southern state in USA
Way, haul away, we'll haul away, Joe!
Rousing work song sung on board ships and steamers
To buy a dog and a muddy ol' hog and marry Susianna
Getting hitched to Susianna and owning a dog and pig
My mother told me long ago she wished I'd be a lawyer
Mother wanted her son to become a lawyer
Much to her chagrin I don't have an employer
Disappointing his mother by not following a conventional job
Way, haul away, we're bound for better weather
Saying goodbye to bad climate conditions and looking for change
Haul away Joe boys
Workers rowing together calling out for Joe to haul
Meeting on up with the old St. Croix
Meeting up with the old river St. Croix
Keep a rowing me boys
Keep rowing together with team spirit
It's a raftman's life for me
Life of living on a raft and doing hard work like a raftman
Floating on down the Illinois
Going down the river Illinoise on a raft
Toy cars and candy bars are just a waste of money
Toys and candies aren't necessary to have a happy life
Cornbread is all you need with butter beans and honey
Simple and delicious food like cornbread, butter beans and honey is sufficient
Sing a song and get along way down to Sarasota
Sing and enjoy while travelling down to Sarasota
Then hop a barge up through the Arch and back to Minnesota
Taking a barge through the Arch and going back to home state Minnesota
Keep a rowing me boys
Keep rowing with team spirit
It's a raftman's life for me
Life of living on a raft and doing hard work like a raftman
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: BEN MILLER, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind