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.
Pay Me My Money Down
The Longest Johns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Pay me my money down)
"Tomorrow is our sailing day."
(Pay me my money down)
Well, pay me! (pay me!) pay me! (pay me!)
Pay me my money down!
Pay me or go to jail!
As soon as the boat was clear of the bar,
(Pay me my money down)
The captain knocked me with a spar
(Pay me my money down)
Well, pay me! (pay me!) pay me! (pay me!)
Pay me my money down!
Pay me or go to jail!
Pay me my money down!
I wish I was a rich man's son,
(Pay me my money down)
I'd sit by the river and drink dark rum (mm!)
(Pay me my money down)
Well I wish I was Mr. Gates,
(Pay me my money down)
They'd bring my money down in crates!
(Pay me my money down)
Well forty nights, nights at sea!
(Pay me my money down)
The captain bled every last dollar out of me!
(Pay me my money down)
Well, pay me! (pay me!) pay me! (pay me!)
Pay me my money down!
Pay me or go to jail!
Pay me my money down!
The song "Pay Me My Money Down" is a traditional sea shanty that was adapted by The Longest Johns. The lyrics tell the story of a sailor who has worked hard and wants to be paid for his efforts. The captain of the ship promises to pay him the next day but instead, as soon as the boat is clear of the bar, the captain hits him with a spar and demands his money. The sailor wishes he was a rich man's son who doesn't have to work and can sit by the river and drink rum. He also contrasts himself with Bill Gates, who would have his money brought to him in crates. The song ends with the sailor repeating the chorus, asserting that he wants his money and won't back down, even if it means going to jail.
The lyrics of this song are quite straightforward and deal with the universal theme of fair payment for honest work. The song's melody and rhythm are typical of sea shanties, which were sung by sailors during their work to keep a steady rhythm and to pass the time. The Longest Johns have adapted the song to their unique style, adding harmonies and a folk-rock feel to it. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy refrain make it easy to sing along to and remember.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I heard the captain say,
The singer hears the captain say that they will be sailing soon.
"Tomorrow is our sailing day."
The captain announces that they will set sail the next day.
Well, pay me! (pay me!) pay me! (pay me!)
Pay me my money down!
Pay me or go to jail!
Pay me my money down!
The captain demands payment, threatening the singer with jail if they do not comply.
As soon as the boat was clear of the bar,
Once the boat had passed the sandbar, obstructing water traffic, the captain acted on his threat.
The captain knocked me with a spar
The captain physically attacked the artist with a wooden pole called a spar.
Well I wish I was Mr. Gates,
They'd bring my money down in crates!
The singer wishes they were as wealthy as Bill Gates, so their money could be delivered in crates and they would not need to worry about being cheated out of it.
Well forty nights, nights at sea!
The captain bled every last dollar out of me!
After spending forty nights at sea, the captain exploited the singer and took all their money.
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.