Roll the Barrel, Boys (A traditional hauling shanty) [Shantyman – Verse 1] The wind came hard from the northern foam, The mast sang wild in the gale, We’d been three weeks from a friendly shore With nothing but salt and ale. [Chorus – Crew] Roll the barrel, boys, roll it round! Heave her up from the harbor ground! Drink it deep till the moon sinks low— Roll the barrel, boys, yo ho ho! [Shantyman – Verse 2] The cook swore blind there was rum below Locked tight in the captain’s hold, But a thirsty crew with a thirst like ours Won’t mind a lock of gold. [Chorus – Crew] Roll the barrel, boys, roll it round! Heave her up from the harbor ground! Drink it deep till the moon sinks low— Roll the barrel, boys, yo ho ho! [Shantyman – Verse 3] The bosun growled when he heard the crash And came with a rope in hand, But a barrel loose on a rolling deck Makes trouble hard to command. [Chorus – Crew] [Shantyman – Verse 4] We rolled that cask through the midnight watch While the captain slept below, And by the time that the sun came up There wasn’t a drop to show. [Chorus – Crew] [Shantyman – Verse 5] Now if you sail with a thirsty crew And hear that rolling sound, You’d best grab hold of a mug, my friend— Another barrel’s been found! [Final Chorus – Crew] Roll the barrel, boys, roll it round! Heave her up from the harbor ground! Drink it deep till the moon sinks low— Roll the barrel, boys, yo ho ho!
Song 03
Roll the Barrel
A rollicking drinking song celebrating the reckless joy of sailors who find courage and camaraderie at the bottom of a rum barrel.
