They began playing together in 1999 and their first album as a duo was Through and Through (2001).
In 2002 they were both session musicians on Eliza Carthy's album Anglicana, and toured with her as part of her band The Ratcatchers.
However it was their second album, Bellow, in 2003 that drew attention. The tunes and songs were mostly traditional, grounded in the Morris tradition.
In the same year they won the "Horizon Award" in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards [1], followed by the "Best Duo" [2] category in 2004. A new album called simply Tunes came out in summer 2005 and another, and Songs followed in October of the same year.
Spiers and Boden were founding members of the folk band Bellowhead, which is a project that aims to combine traditional English folk music with a brass band sound.
Their new album, Vagabond, was released on Navigator Records on 26th May 2008.
Haul Away
Spiers & Boden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was a little lad or so me mother told me
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
That if I didn't kiss the girls my lips would go all mouldy
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Away haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
King Louis was the king of France before the revolution
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
But then he got his head cut off which spoiled his constitution
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
The lyrics of Spiers & Boden's song "Haul Away" contain a mix of playful and historical references. The first verse describes a warning given to the singer by his mother that if he doesn't kiss the girls, his lips will go all moldy. The repetition of the phrase "haul away" acts as a chorus that drives the rhythm and momentum of the song. The second verse includes a historical reference to King Louis, the king of France before the revolution, who ended up losing his head and having his constitution spoiled. The inclusion of this reference adds a layer of complexity to an otherwise lighthearted sea chantey.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh!
An exclamation of excitement or enthusiasm.
When I was a little lad or so me mother told me
As a child, my mother warned me that if I didn't kiss girls, my lips would go all mouldy.
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Let's work hard and pull together to help Rosie!
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
Let's work hard and pull together to help Johnny-oh!
King Louis was the king of France before the revolution
King Louis was the monarch of France prior to the French Revolution.
But then he got his head cut off which spoiled his constitution
Unfortunately, he was beheaded, which ruined his physical health and mental well-being.
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Let's keep working hard to help Rosie even though there may be challenges.
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
Let's keep working hard to help Johnny-oh even though there may be challenges.
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Rosie!
Let's continue to work hard to help Rosie pull through.
Away, haul away, we'll haul away for Johnny-oh!
Let's continue to work hard to help Johnny-oh pull through.
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheFishheads123
Thank you Spiers and Boden. This is so uplifting ,,Then and now.
@FlowersInHisHair
John's bass notes give me LIFE
@bustedfender
Squeezy dub.
@seanmcginnis7865
it's incredible. it shouldn't be possible but he makes it look so easy.
@paulcaswell2813
@@seanmcginnis7865 Cutting, Spiers, Anahata: after that there's no-one who comes close.
@honeychurchgipsy6
seeing these two at Sidmouth a few years ago was one of the best live gigs ever - my partner who has seen the likes of The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and others live - said it was the best gig he'd been to - high praise indeed!!!!!
@Bunnahabhain1982
That's why you use a proper, elevated stage. The bass beats from the foot stamping really come through!
@karljackson6371
Just bumped into Spiers in Bungay today - Ed Sheeran in local pub last weekend - Is Bungay the centre of the music industry
@CliffSouthwell
Fucking hell S &B that's brilliant... punk rock box & fiddle!!!
@cathrynreallydoescare3639
Love this❤️🦋🌻🐝