Haul Away Joe

This is a short-drag chantey and was used mainly for tightening the sheet. The last word ‘Joe’ was the moment for all hands to haul together.

Additional verses were added by the chanteyman until the duty was done to the mate’s satisfaction.

This chantey is thought to have appeared on Yankee ships sometime between 1812 and the Civil War, although it was known much earlier among British sailors.”