Lyrics
Heave Away Cheerily O
Capstan, Pump or Windlass Shanty
Traditional
Oh, the wind is free an’ we’re bound for the sea
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
The lassies are wavin’ to you an’ to me
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go
Chorus:
Sing, me lads, cheerily
Heave, me lads, cheerily
Heave away cheerily o-ho!
For the gold that we prize an’ for sunnier skies
Away to the south’ard we go!
They’re shoutin’ goodbye, an’ the gals they do cry
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
So sing up, me darlin’s, an’ wipe yer tears dry
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (chorus)
They’re cryin’, Come back, my dear John an’ dear Jack
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
There’s water in front an’ no door at the back
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
But we’re Johnnies bold who can work for our gold
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
An’ stand a good dousin’ wi’out catchin’ cold
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
The gals to the south’ard are bully an’ fine
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
When we gits to Melbourne we’ll have a good time
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
A John he is true to his Sal an’ his Sue
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
So long as he’s able to keep ’em in view
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
We’ll heave her up, bullies, an’ run her away
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
We’ll soon be a’headin’ out on a long lay
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go ()Chorus
They’re crying, ‘Come back, my dear sailor in blue
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
For no one can fill the place vacant by you’
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go ( Chorus)
They love us for money, whoever he be
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
But when it’s all gone we are shanghaied to sea
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
Then sing, ‘Goodbye Sally, your wonders I’ll tell
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
But when with another, I’ll wish you in hell
As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
WHERE TO FIND IT
Song Notes
Christie: “We first heard this on 8/27/11 at the Bie Daip festival in Appingedam, Netherlands, sung by Four ‘n’ Aft.”
Stan Hugill‘s notes on the song:
Only two collections give it. Davis & Tozer give it as capstan, Harlow as both pumps and windlass. Davis & Tozer state that the words and music of their version are ‘entirely original’. If by this the editors mean that they composed it then seamen, obviously, must have taken it from their book in 1887 (first edition) and made use of it at sea – a magnificent gesture! For Harlow mentions it having been sung many times aboard his ship.
The word ‘cheerily’ is often pronounced as ‘cheerilye’ in accordance with typical sailor usage when singing any word ending with ‘-ly’.
‘Cheerily’ mean ‘quickly’ and was often used at capstan and halyards when exhorting the men to harder efforts … ‘Heave away cheerily, me hearties!’
‘Cheerily’ had an opposite number, ‘handsomely’. This meant heave or haul slow and steady.