The band has played the respected folk circuit as well as the riotous Download Festival. They have played tours across Europe and North America with Frank Turner, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly as well as headlining themselves across festivals, sweatboxes and ever-larger venues.
Their debut album Forge & Flagon was released in June 2012 in the UK and Europe, January 2013 in the USA. and July 2013 in Japan.
Between 2012 and 2014 Skinny Lister went through a number of line up changes. In the autumn of 2013, the band expanded to a six-piece by adding Dave Neale on drums. This six-piece line-up toured Britain and Germany in the autumn of 2013 before going into the studio to record the band's second album, Down on Deptford Broadway.
Skinny Lister's second album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in December 2013 and was released on 20 April 2015. It was produced by Ted Hutt.
In May 2016 the band went into The Silk Mill Studio in Newcastle Under Lyme with producer Tristan Ivemy to record their third album, The Devil, the Heart, and the Fight.
In 2018, their fourth offering, The Story Is... (produced and mixed by Barny Barnicott – Arctic Monkeys, The Enemy, The Temper Trap) takes the tales of the everyday, the minutiae of our lives, and turns them into songs.
In October 2020, the band released a Fifth Anniversary Edition of Down_on_Deptford_Broadway on yellow vinyl with download codes for demo versions of the twelve tracks.
John Kanaka
Skinny Lister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
Today is a holiday
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
Tura yay, oh, tura yay,
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
We’ll work tomorrow, but not today
We’ll work tomorrow, but not today
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
Tura yay, oh, tura yay,
We’re bout aaway from frisko bay
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
We’re bout away the break of day
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
Tura yay, oh, tura yay
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
Hal away, oh hal away
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
Oh hal away and earn your pay
John kanaka kanaka tura yay,
Tura yay, oh, tura yay
John kanaka kanaka tura yay.
"John Kanaka" is a sea shanty that is often associated with sailors and life on the high seas. The song is about a group of sailors who are taking a holiday and celebrating their time off from work. The "old man" in the song is likely the ship's captain or a senior crew member who is leading the celebration. The chorus, "John kanaka kanaka tura yay," is a call-and-response chant that emphasizes the festive mood of the occasion.
While the sailors are enjoying their holiday, they are also aware that they will have to return to work soon. The verse "We'll work tomorrow, but not today" suggests that they are trying to make the most of their time off while they can. The sailors also mention that they are "bout away from frisko bay," indicating that they are on a ship that is traveling to or from San Francisco. The final verse, "Hal away and earn your pay," is a reminder that the sailors will soon have to return to their duties and earn their keep.
The lyrics of "John Kanaka" reflect the hard work and camaraderie that is often associated with life on a sailing ship. The song has become a popular traditional tune that is still performed today by musicians and singers around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard, I heard the old man say, hey
The singer heard an old man say something.
John kanaka kanaka tura yay, Today is a holiday
The old man mentioned John Kanaka and that it's a holiday.
We’ll work tomorrow, but not today
Although they usually work, they don't have to work today.
Tura yay, oh, tura yay
Repeated phrase that may have cultural or traditional significance.
We’re bout aaway from frisko bay
They are away from Frisco Bay.
We’re bout away the break of day
They'll leave just as day is breaking.
Hal away, oh hal away
An exclamation, possibly encouraging someone to get to work.
Oh hal away and earn your pay
Encouraging someone to work hard and earn money.
John kanaka kanaka tura yay
Repeating the name and phrase from earlier in the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, BILLY HAWKINS, JASON NICHOLS, JEREMY BROWN, JOHN BROWN, JOHN LETHBRIDGE, JOHN MCDONNELL, JONATHAN CLEAVE, JULIAN BROWN, LOUISE BROWN, PETER ROWE, RUPERT CHRISTIE, TREVOR GRILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mesqualito
"we were wondering if we could come in and play you few songs"
hahahha- cheers!
@christybarringer3212
I never thought I would go to a Molly show...and come off wanting the opening act to sing more and Molly to take a break. I love flogging Molly but these guys - they blew my mind .
@AndysEastCoastAdventures
great job and nice to see younger people enjoying old shanties
@bellaluna959
I have this fantasy of seeing this fantastic band Skinny Lister playing in my garden. I now just saw them going to someone's home in Austin TX to sing John Kanaka? HOLY SHIT! Forget winning the lottery this would be enough for me! God Bless Skinny Lister! (if you want my address pls message me on Face book MTSchmidt you know who I am LOL! Peace!
@liamishated
Who remembers singing this in primary school?
@Alveration
This was possibly the best concert I saw at the House of Blues last night with Flogging Molly.
@GasMaskHeadhunter
Blinding tune. Just been going thru all their stuff. Saw them couple years back with the Dropkick Murphys at The house Of Blues in Boston. Hell of a fuckin night.
@Amandarileymusic
wow, they are really good singers...
@gimmebeans1092
They're alright but I think the emphasis on tu rye ay and the harmony at the end ruins it
@thatspiderbyte
@@gimmebeans1092 I wouldn't say it ruins it but yeah you're right about how they emphasise the tu rye ay at the end