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.
GENERAL TAYLOR
The Longest Johns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Walk him along, John, carry him along)
Well General Taylor gained the day
(Carry him to his burying ground)
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Well I wish I was old Stormy's son
(Walk him along, John, carry him along)
I'd build a ship ten thousand tonne
(Carry him to his burying ground)
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Carry him to his burying ground
We'll load her up with ale and rum
(Walk him along, John, carry him along)
That every shellback should have some
(Carry him to his burying ground)
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Carry him to his burying ground
We'll dig his grave with a silver spade
(Walk him along, John, carry him along)
His shroud of finest silk is made
(Carry him to his burying ground)
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Carry him to his burying ground
We'll lower him down on a golden chain
(Walk him along, John, carry him along)
On every link we'll carve his name
(Carry him to his burying ground)
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Carry him to his burying ground
Well General Taylor's dead and gone
(Walk him along, John, carry him along)
Well General Taylor's dead and gone
(Carry him to his burying ground)
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
To me, way, hey, Stormy
Carry him to his burying ground
The Longest Johns' song "General Taylor" is a tribute to General Zachary Taylor, a hero of the Mexican-American War in the 1840s. The song describes the funeral procession of General Taylor, who had "gained the day" in the war but had since passed away. The chorus of the song, "To me, way, hey, Stormy," is a common refrain in sea shanties, meant to encourage the sailors to keep working together and keep their spirits up.
The first verse of the song describes the funeral procession itself, with the body of General Taylor being carried along by John and his comrades. The second verse expresses the wish of the singer to be the son of "old Stormy," which may be a reference to Admiral George Cockburn, who famously burned the White House during the War of 1812. The singer imagines building a grand ship in honor of General Taylor and filling it with ale and rum for his fellow sailors.
The following verses describe the finery of the burial preparations, with a silver spade, a shroud of silk, and a golden chain to lower General Taylor into his grave. The final verse repeats the chorus, emphasizing the finality of the General's passing.
Line by Line Meaning
General Taylor gained the day
General Taylor was victorious in battle
(Walk him along, John, carry him along)
An acknowledgement of General Taylor's death and a call to carry his body
Well General Taylor gained the day
Reiterating that General Taylor won the battle
(Carry him to his burying ground)
Again, indicating the need to transport General Taylor's corpse
To me, way, hey, Stormy
A chant or song to keep spirits up during the burial process
Well I wish I was old Stormy's son
Expressing a wish to be related to a heroic figure like Stormy
I'd build a ship ten thousand tonne
Stating a hypothetical act of creation in honor of Stormy
We'll load her up with ale and rum
Referring to provisions being loaded onto the ship for a journey, or a metaphorical journey to the afterlife
That every shellback should have some
The ale and rum is for everyone, referencing those who served with General Taylor
We'll dig his grave with a silver spade
A luxurious burial for the fallen general, using a precious metal tool
His shroud of finest silk is made
General Taylor's shroud is made of an expensive, high-quality fabric
We'll lower him down on a golden chain
General Taylor's coffin is lowered using an extravagant method
On every link we'll carve his name
Each link of the chain is inscribed with General Taylor's name for remembrance
Well General Taylor's dead and gone
Reiterating that General Taylor has passed away
(Walk him along, John, carry him along)
A call to wrap up the burial process and to carry General Taylor's remains to the final resting place
To me, way, hey, Stormy
A final chant or song in honor of the fallen general
(Carry him to his burying ground)
The last repetition of the message to transport General Taylor's corpse
Contributed by Chloe F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.