Interesting Facts about the Heave Away
“Heave Away” the song from “The American Songbag” by Carl Sandburg (1927 page 407), is another clue to finding the possible origin of the “Heave Away, My Johnnies” shanty. Stan Hugill on the occasion of this song debated with himself about the shanty having stemmed from the following Negro slave song “Heave Away”. Although the tune bears no resemblance to the shanty the words seem to have some connection. Perhaps this is one of the songs that made it through the shanties of Mobile Bay or New Orleans. But on the other hand, it may be that Negro Hoosiers took it from Irish seamen-stevedores. Carl Sandburg claims that the following song is a “negro fireman’s” song and is one of the “few slavery-era work songs still in existence”.
The source of the Heave Away
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 301).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 301).
The Record
You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.
The musical notation
The full lyrics
Heave Away
He–ave away, he-ave away!
I’d rather court a yellow gal
Than work for Henry Clay,
He–ave away, he–ave away!
Yellow gal, I want to go.
I’d rather court a yellow gal
Than work for Henry Clay.
He–ave away! Yellow gal, I want to go!