Farewell Shanty

Farewell shanty is said to have been discovered by the late Mervyn Vincent, a folksinger from Padstow, in Plymouth Library whilst looking up old books about ships and sailing. He set the words to a tune, but it is attributed as traditional.

 
The Farewell Shanty
 
It is time to go now.
Haul away your anchor.
Haul away your anchor.
'Tis our sailing time.
 
Get some sail upon her.
Haul away your halyards.
Haul away your halyards.
'Tis our sailing time.
 
Get her on her course now.
Haul away your foresheets.
Haul away your foresheets.
'Tis our sailing time.
 
Waves are breaking under.
Haul away down-channel.
Haul away down-channel.
On the evening tide.
 
When my time is over.
Haul away for Heaven.
Haul away for Heaven.
God be by my side.