Lowlands
The Men of the Robert Shaw Chorale Lyrics
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Oh my own mother she wrote to me
My dollar and a half a day
She wrote to me to come home from sea
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
She wrote to me to come home from sea
My dollar and a half a day
A dollar a day is a hoosier's pay
Lowlands, lowlands a way my John
A dollar a day is a hoosier's pay
My dollar and a half a day
Lowlands, lowlands, away my John
All in the night my true love came
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
All in the night my true love came
My dollar and a half a day
She came to me all in my sleep
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
She came to me all in my sleep
My dollar and a half a day
And then I knew my love was dead
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
And then I knew my love was dead
My dollar and a half a day
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
My dollar and a half a day
My John - a crew of merchant seamen were
often referred to as "the Johns".
Hoosier - They are complaining about the
pay of cotton hoosiers (think hosiery) in
Mobile, Alabama
Usually regarded as a capstan or pumping shanty. Lowlands could be one of several places around the world. One source suggests the song in the sighing of the wind and the throbbing of the restless ocean translated into melody.
The Men of the Robert Shaw Chorale's song "Lowlands" speaks of a sailor named John who received a letter from his mother. She asked him to come back from the sea as she missed him and his meager earnings of a dollar and a half a day could not compensate for his absence. However, in a dream, John's true love came to him and he realized that she had passed away. This realization left John with a heavy heart, wishing to leave the sea and return to his hometown.
The lyrics of "Lowlands" are melancholic and convey the longing of a sailor to be at home with his loved ones. The contrast between the joyful hope of his mother's letter and the sorrowful reality of his love's demise is striking. The song serves as a reminder that every sailor is faced with the challenge of being away from home and those whom they care for, leaving them with only their memories to comfort them.
Line by Line Meaning
Lowlands, lowlands, away my John
The crew is hoisting the capstan that raises the anchor, and the shantyman sings this song.
Oh my own mother she wrote to me
The sailor received a letter from his mother back home.
My dollar and a half a day
The sailor's mother is reminding him of his meager pay as a sailor.
She wrote to me to come home from sea
The sailor's mother wants him to leave the sea and come back home.
A dollar a day is a hoosier's pay
The sailor is lamenting the low pay of cotton hoosiers (laborers) in Mobile, Alabama.
All in the night my true love came
The sailor's beloved unexpectedly appeared in his dream.
She came to me all in my sleep
The sailor's dream felt incredibly real and vivid.
And then I knew my love was dead
The sailor's dream turned into a nightmare, and he realized his love had died.
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
The sailor is continuing to sing the capstan shanty as they prepare to set sail.
My dollar and a half a day
The sailor is still lamenting his low pay as he sails away from the Lowlands.
Writer(s): Alice Parker, Robert Shaw
Contributed by Cole K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LDSdrivinbyChrist
My men’s choir is performing this at Southwest American Choral Directors association!!! Love this song so much!!
@Coot
This album and this song are among my Dad's and I's favorites. I love when the tenors echo the "my dollar and a half a day" line. Reminds me of my Uncle's voice who has gone on.
@piroska49
the most haunting chorale i have ever heard, to sit by a warm fire and listen, paradise
@MrThomaschapman
breathtakingly beautiful. It's still singing in my chest and head.
@shyfroglet
So striking. I love men's voice anything, but this is enchanting.
@stubor
This whole album is wonderful.
@LDSdrivinbyChrist
Can’t wait to do that beautiful bass solo!
@ditworthy
Thank you for posting this. Beautiful.
@otterhero6229
I performed this arrangement in a cambiata choir just last week and I have to say it's my favourite shanty ever.
@krzysiekpyzlak752
Fantastic sound !So sweet !!!