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.
Haul Away Joe
The Longest Johns Lyrics
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(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
That if I didn't kiss the girls me lips would grow a-moldy.
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul away together!
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul for better weather.
I used to have an Irish girl, but she got fat and lazy
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
But now I've got a Bristol girl, and she just drives me crazy
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul away together!
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul for better weather.
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Old Louis was the king of France before the revolut-i-on.
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
But then he got his head chopped off it spoiled his constitut-i-on.
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul away together!
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul for better weather.
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
You call yourself a second mate, you cannae tie a bowline,
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
You can't even stand up straight, when the packet she's a rollin'
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul away together!
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul for better weather.
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Well now can't you see the black clouds a-gatherin'.
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
Well now can't you see the storm clouds a-risin'.
(Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.)
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul away together!
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul for better weather.
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
The Longest Johns's song "Haul Away Joe" is a sea shanty with a lively rhythm and a catchy chorus. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about a piece of advice his mother gave him when he was young. She warned him that if he didn't kiss the girls, his lips would grow moldy. The lyrics are playful and suggest the song is meant to be lighthearted. Throughout the verses, the singer shares his romantic experiences and observations about the world around him. He talks about a former girlfriend who got "fat and lazy" and another who "drives him crazy." The song also references French history, with a nod to King Louis XVI's execution during the French Revolution, with a joke about spoiling his "constitution."
The choral refrain "Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe" is a staple in sea shanties and is sung while sailors would work on deck, hauling ropes and sails. The chorus also stresses the importance of teamwork, determination, and perseverance in challenging times. In verse four, the singer makes a slight shift in tone, addressing a second mate who cannot tie a bowline and struggles to maintain stability on the rolling ship.
The song has a playful energy to it that makes it fun to sing along with. Despite being a traditional sea shanty, The Longest Johns's interpretation captures the spirit of the piece and makes it accessible to a larger audience.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was just a little lad or so me mammy told me,
As a kid, my mother warned that if I didn't kiss enough girls my lips would deteriorate.
That if I didn't kiss the girls me lips would grow a-moldy.
My mother warned me that if I didn't kiss girls, I would be left with unsightly and mouldy lips.
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul away together!
Let's all work together and stay motivated with a loud shout of encouragement!
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Let's all push and pull this ship to get it moving smoothly!
Away (Ho!) haul away! we'll haul for better weather.
We'll all work hard and pull together so that we can reach a safer environment and avoid any storms.
I used to have an Irish girl, but she got fat and lazy
I had a girlfriend from Ireland, who eventually got out of shape and stopped putting in effort.
But now I've got a Bristol girl, and she just drives me crazy
I'm now dating someone from Bristol who excites and enthralls me.
Old Louis was the king of France before the revolut-i-on.
King Louis used to rule in France, but that era ended with the French Revolution.
But then he got his head chopped off it spoiled his constitut-i-on.
Unfortunately, Louis XVI lost his head during the revolution which had a dire effect on his previously established constitution.
You call yourself a second mate, you cannae tie a bowline,
You are supposedly a skilled second mate, but you can't even secure a good knot.
You can't even stand up straight, when the packet she's a rollin'
When the boat is swaying, you can't even stand up properly indicating that you're about as useful as a second mate as a knotted rope.
Well now can't you see the black clouds a-gatherin'.
Observe the growing black clouds, indicating that a storm is brewing.
Well now can't you see the storm clouds a-risin'.
Storm clouds are rising, meaning we need to work harder to push through this turbulent weather.
Writer(s): Trad, Trevor Grills, Jonathan Cleave, Billy Hawkins, Rupert Christie, John Lethbridge, Peter Rowe, John Brown, John Mcdonnell, Louise Brown, Julian Brown, Rose Prince, Nigel Sherratt, Jeremy Brown
Contributed by Elizabeth Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.