RX Shantymen - Haul Boys Haul Lyrics

When I was a schoolboy, I lived at home at ease
Now I am a trawling man, I sail the wintry seas
I thought I'd like seafaring life, 'twas all right til I found
It's a darn sight worse than slavery when we got on the ground.

And it was haul boys haul, haul boys haul
Heave away the capstan lads and let's get up the trawl
When the winds are blowing and the ships are gently rolling,
My Emma, my Emma won't you be true to me?

Now every night in winter, as regular as a clock
It's on your old sou'wester, likewise your oilskin frock.
And then up to the capstan lads, and then it's heave away
For that's the cry in the middle of the night as well as in the day

And it was haul boys haul, haul boys haul
Heave away the capstan lads and let's get up the trawl
When the winds are blowing and the ships are gently rolling,
My Emma, my Emma won't you be true to me?

Now when the fish are up on deck and piling to our knees
We slip and slide and wonder why we ever went to sea
But when ashore we'll sell the catch, that's easier to bear
For it's beer all night in The Jenny Lind when we get paid our share.

And it was haul boys haul, haul boys haul
Heave away the capstan lads and let's get up the trawl
When the winds are blowing and the ships are gently rolling,
My Emma, my Emma won't you be true to me?

And now winter passing over and springtime coming on
We go out in all weathers, no time for beer nor song
For fish don't wait for lovers boys, as you might quickly find
Put on your oilskin jacket lad and leave the girls behind.

And it was haul boys haul, haul boys haul
Heave away the capstan lads and let's get up the trawl
When the winds are blowing and the ships are gently rolling,
My Emma, my Emma won't you be true to me?

And when our trip is over, hard up the tiller goes
And straight ways into Yarmouth with a big jib on the nose
And when we reach the pier head all the girls will proudly say
'Here come our jolly trawling lads, who have been so long away.'

And it was haul boys haul, haul boys haul
Heave away the capstan lads and let's get up the trawl
When the winds are blowing and the ships are gently rolling,
My Emma, my Emma won't you be true to me?

And it was haul boys haul, haul boys haul
Heave away the capstan lads and let's get up the trawl
When the winds are blowing and the ships are gently rolling,
My Emma, my Emma won't you be true to me?