Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline with a shanty song;
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline and haul her along.
I went out to ramble on a summer day,
I spied the lads a-launchin' a schooner in the bay;
They were heavin' and haulin' to a shanty song,
I took my place upon the line
And hauled her right along.
Said,
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline with a shanty song;
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline and haul her along.
We sang to Johnny Poker and Lord, Let Her Go,
With the strength of fifty men we had on the roll;
The whole bay had gathered,
The place was mad alive,
They joined in the chorus down to the water side.
Said,
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline with a shanty song;
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline and haul her along.
We had her on the land wash, ready for the waves,
With the risin' of the tide,
She floated from her weighs;
We bid her good fair landings
And a good holding ground,
And sang a final chorus for a vessel fine and sound.
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline with a shanty song;
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline and haul her along.
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline with a shanty song;
Heave on the bowline, rock and roll the towline,
Heave on the bowline and haul her along.
####... Variant of a work shanty by Glenn Vincent Breen ...####