The Longest Johns formed in June 2012 after first singing together at a friend's barbecue. The original line up consisted of Josh Bowker, Andy Yates, Jonathan Darley and Dave Robinson. About a week later, they posted their first video on YouTube, singing "Haul Away Joe." They released their debut EP, Bones in the Ocean, in 2013, the title track of which is still one of their most popular. Their first full album, Written in Salt, was released in 2016, featuring tracks such as Drunken Sailor, Old Maui and Randy Dandy-O.
In June 2018 they released their second album, Between Wind & Water, which contained the smash hit "Wellerman". This recording, as well as the one used in the bands' Sea of Thieves series "Open Crewsing" would go on to cause the viral sensation in the years to come.
In October 2019, the band announced that Anna Cornish would be leaving the band to focus on her other band, The Norfolk Broads.
In March 2020, they released a song titled "Flatten the Curve", urging people to stay indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June 2020, the band released their third studio album, Cures What Ails Ya. This album was the Johns' first album featuring a full array of instruments on half of the songs.
In March 2023, The Longest Johns released a collab album, The Longest Pony, featuring collabs with the Barcelona folk group, El Pony Pisador. The album features the song "Al Pirata Joan Torrellas" which sung only in Catalan.
On 1 May 2023, the band announced the departure of founding member Dave Robinson.
Anne Louise
The Longest Johns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To take her out to deeper waters further from the shore
For its quiet and still in the
harbor, not a voice to be heard in the bay
But the winds coming down from
Norway and there's plenty to be done today
Oh! Cast off me lads
She's been gasping for some action
Out on the open seas
Oh there's nothing quite like pitching
Along at dangerous speeds
With my hand on the tiller
Of my sky blue westerly
Oh we've coffee and we've bacon and we've everything on board
So cry the crew, cast off from this safe haven we've been moored
For there's salt wind in our lungs boys, and salt blood in our veins
But the winds coming down from norway making horses beyond the cranes
Oh! Cast off me lads
We'll set the sails out in cause
She's been gasping for some action
Out on the open seas
Oh there's nothing quite like pitching
Along at dangerous speeds
With my hand on the tiller
Of my sky blue westerly
Oh she may be kinda small but she's got everything and more
For a crew of hopeless seadogs salut side up the shore
Oh we may be back in a month, or we may be back in a day
But the winds coming down from
norway and there's no way that we can stay
Oh! Cast off me lads
We'll set the sails out in cause
She's been gasping for some action
Out on the open seas
Oh there's nothing quite like pitching
Along at dangerous speeds
With my hand on the tiller
Of my sky blue westerly
Oh the Anne Louise has had her fill and now we must away
To walk upon the shores and share the stories of the day
Oh we may sleep well in our beds
tonight, and we may not be back here for days
But the winds coming down from
norway and our dreams will be on the waves
Oh! Cast off me lads
We'll set the sails out in 'cause
She's been gasping for some action
Out on the open seas
Oh there's nothing quite like pitching
Along at dangerous speeds
With my hand on the tiller
Of my sky blue westerly
Oh! Cast off me lads
We'll set the sails out in cause
She's been gasping for some action
Out on the open seas
Oh there's nothing quite like pitching
Along at dangerous speeds
With my hand on the tiller
(With my hand on the tiller!)
With my hand on the tiller
Of my sky blue westerly
The Longest Johns's song "Anne Louise" is a sea shanty that paints a vivid picture of a ship waiting for a crew to take her out to sea. The lyrics describe the quiet and stillness in the harbor, contrasting it with the winds coming down from Norway, which signal that there is much to be done. The crew is excited to set out on the open seas, feeling the wind in their lungs and salt in their blood, as they pitch along at dangerous speeds. The song celebrates the thrill of adventure and the freedom that comes with life at sea.
The repetition of the chorus, "Cast off me lads, we'll set the sails out in cause," creates a sense of urgency and excitement, as the crew prepares to embark on their voyage. The images of coffee and bacon on board, the small but capable ship, and the crew of "hopeless seadogs" all add to the vivid imagery of the song. The lyrics paint a picture of a life lived fully, with dreams and stories that are shared on the waves.
The song's upbeat tone and catchy melody make it a popular sea shanty, often sung by sailors and fans of the genre. The Longest Johns are a British a cappella folk music group that has gained a following for their traditional sea shanties and ballads. "Anne Louise" is one of their most popular songs and has been covered by several other artists.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the Anne Louise is waiting for a crew to jump aboard
The ship, Anne Louise, is currently waiting for a crew to come on board and sail out to the deeper waters further away from the shore.
To take her out to deeper waters further from the shore
The crew is needed to take the Anne Louise out to the deeper waters which are further away from the shore.
For its quiet and still in the harbor, not a voice to be heard in the bay
Currently, the harbor is quiet and still as there is no noise or activity in the bay.
But the winds coming down from Norway and there's plenty to be done today
However, the winds from Norway are blowing and there is a lot of work to be done on the ship that needs to be accomplished.
Oh! Cast off me lads
The artist is prompting the crew to cast off the moorings and set sail out into the open seas.
We'll set the sails out in cause
The crew will get the sails ready and set them out so that they can catch the wind and move forward.
She's been gasping for some action
The Anne Louise has been waiting for a crew to undertake some action, and now that the crew is here, they can set sail on her.
Out on the open seas
The Anne Louise will be sailing out in the open waters, away from the shore.
Oh there's nothing quite like pitching
There is nothing quite like experiencing the pitching motions of a ship as the waves push and pull on it while it is sailing.
Along at dangerous speeds
As the Anne Louise sails along, it will be moving at dangerous speeds that can be both exhilarating and challenging for the crew.
With my hand on the tiller
The singer will be in control of the tiller, which is the device used to control the rudder, and by extension, the direction of the ship.
Of my sky blue westerly
The artist is the captain or the helmsman of the Anne Louise and refers to the type of sail they will be using while sailing.
Oh we've coffee and we've bacon and we've everything on board
The crew has all the provisions that they will need while out at sea, including coffee, bacon, and anything else they may need.
So cry the crew, cast off from this safe haven we've been moored
The crew is excited to set sail and urges everyone to cast off the ropes that keep them anchored in place in the safe harbor.
For there's salt wind in our lungs boys, and salt blood in our veins
The crew is eager to set sail and feel the salty wind on their faces and the salt water in their veins as they navigate the seas.
But the winds coming down from Norway making horses beyond the cranes
The winds from Norway are strong and could create waves like horses, which could make the journey a little rougher for the crew.
Oh she may be kinda small but she's got everything and more
The ship, Anne Louise, may be small in size, but she has everything the crew needs and more for the journey ahead.
For a crew of hopeless seadogs salut side up the shore
The crew is composed of seasoned sailors who are eager to take on the challenges of the sea and are ready to set sail as soon as possible.
Oh we may be back in a month, or we may be back in a day
The journey may take the crew a month, or it could be shorter and end in a day - it all depends on how the voyage goes.
Oh she may be kinda small but she's got everything and more
Although the Anne Louise might be small in size, it is capable of offering everything the crew needs for the journey.
But the winds coming down from Norway and there's no way that we can stay
The winds are blowing strong and the crew needs to leave the harbor and venture out into the open seas - there's no way they can stay docked in the harbor any longer.
Oh the Anne Louise has had her fill and now we must away
The Anne Louise has been prepared and equipped for the journey and is now ready to set sail and move away from the harbor.
To walk upon the shores and share the stories of the day
After setting sail and completing their journey, the crew can return to the shore to tell stories and share their experiences.
Oh we may sleep well in our beds tonight, and we may not be back here for days
The crew can rest easy in their beds tonight, as they have completed their journey, and there's no telling when they will be back to the harbor again.
But the winds coming down from Norway and our dreams will be on the waves
Although the crew will be sleeping on land tonight, their dreams will be on the waves as they recall their experiences from the journey and look forward to their next voyage.
With my hand on the tiller
The singer is once again affirming that they will be the one steering the ship using the tiller.
With my hand on the tiller!
The singer is emphasizing that they will be in control of the ship and steering it towards the desired direction.
Of my sky blue westerly
The artist is referring once again to the type of sail they will be using while sailing, which is called a sky blue westerly.
Contributed by Sydney C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nimm1135
So good to hear Josh and Anna on a TLJ album again !!
Anyone who wants more Anna shanties should check out the Norfolk Broads btw, where she sings with three other ladies
@thebluezebra9993
'All previous and current members' this is a great re-release and so much better than the original!
@crawdad4540
Absolute Chad song, love all the TLJ song and me and my family listen to this song quite a bit.
@josh___something
This song always makes me feel comfy. Yet another rendition to add to the playlist of Anne Louises :p
@zacharycampbell4631
This has to be one of my favorites
@johncayley7838
My favorite TLJ song! Sounds so beautiful with you all! 😊
@FullMetal8192
Absolutely brilliant!!
@ABeastMadeOfSteel
My only problem with this song and all the other songs you make is that I can't listen to it enough lol. Love your music
@loganpetri1942
<3