Classic Sea Shanty Lyrics and Verses

Shanties (or sea shanties) are traditional work songs sung by sailors to coordinate labor aboard ships. They often have a call-and-response structure, making them easy to sing in groups. Here are a few classic shanty lyrics:

“Drunken Sailor” (Short-Drag Shanty)

(Call & Response)
🎶 What shall we do with a drunken sailor? (×3)
Early in the morning!

Possible verses:

• Shave his belly with a rusty razor!

• Put him in a longboat till he’s sober!

• Stick him in the scupper with a hosepipe on him!

“The Wellerman” (New Zealand Sea Shanty)

🎶 There once was a ship that put to sea
The name of the ship was the Billy o’ Tea
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow!

(Chorus)
🎶 Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin’ is done
We’ll take our leave and go!

“Blow the Man Down” (Halyard Shanty)

🎶 Oh, blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down!
Way-hey, blow the man down!
Oh, blow the man down in Liverpool town!
Give me some time to blow the man down!

Verse example:
🎶 I was walkin’ down Paradise Street
When a pretty young damsel I chanced to meet
She was round in the counter and bluff in the bow
So I took in all sail and cried, “Way enough now!”

“Leave Her, Johnny” (Capstan Shanty – Sung at End of Voyage)

🎶 Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
For the voyage is long and the winds don’t blow,
And it’s time for us to leave her!

Verse example:
🎶 The winds were foul and the work was hard,
From Liverpool Docks to the Brooklyn Yard!