Leave Her, Johnnie
Homeward Bound Capstan or Pump Shanty
Lyrics from Capstan Bars, by Capt. David Bone


SHANTY SINGERS AND BALLADEERS
We're singing this in B
Oh, th' times was hard an' th' wages low,
Leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er!
An' th' grub was bad an' th' gales did blow,
An' it's time for us t' leave 'er!

Chorus:
Leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er!
O-oh, leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er!
For th' voy'ge is done, an' th' gales do blow,
An' it's time for us t' leave 'er!

I thought I heard th' Old Man say,
Leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er!
Ye can go a-shore an' take yer pay,
An' it's time for us t' leave 'er!  (Chorus)

Oh, her stern was foul an' th' v'yage was long.
Leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er!
An' th' winds was bad, an' th' gales was strong.
An' it's time for us t' leave 'er!  (Chorus)

An' we'll leave 'er tight an' we'll leave 'er trim.
Leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er!
A-an' heave th' hungry pa-acket in.
For it's time for us t' leave 'er!  (Chorus)

Oh, leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er with a grin.
Leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er!
For there's many a worser we've sailed in.
An' it's time for us t' leave 'er!  (Chorus)

An' now it's time t' say good-bye.
Leave 'er, Johnnie, leave 'er!
For th' old pierhead's a-drawin' nigh.
An' it's time for us t' leave 'er!  (Chorus)

Bounding Main's arrangement of this song makes it something of a "Calling Home Shanty."  You need to hear it to understand.  It is a favorite of many.