Another historical note...
This shanty is documented as one of the true "voyage ending" shanties. Used when
manning the pumps
for the last time, "Leave Her Johnny" would be sung as the very last song of the
voyage.
With the ship alongside the pier, a portion of the sailors from the voyage would already have
been
released. The remaining sailors would assemble to pump the bilges, full from the lengthy voyages.
As they worked together in time, knowing that this would be the last time many of them would
meet,
they would raise their voices one last time...
Oh the times are hard
and the wages low
Leave her Johnny leave her
I'll pack my bags and go below
And it's time for us to leave her
(Chorus)
Leave her Johnny leave her
Oh, Ho, Leave her Johnny leave her
I'll pack my bags and go below
And it's time for us to leave her
Oh I'm getting thin
and growing sad...
Since first I joined this wooden clad...
(Chorus)
Oh I thought I heard
the second mate say...
Just one more drag and then belay...
(Chorus)
Oh the work was hard
the voyage long...
The seas were high the gales were strong...
(Chorus)
Oh the sails are furled
our work is done...
And now on shore we'll have our fun...
(Chorus)
This is a very slow paced, melancholy
shanty. We improvise verses for it, but they're normally
fitting with the tone of a final departure. It's nice to occasionally have a sad song.