40 - Hanging Johnny

Words by Traditional
Tune by Traditional

With a double pull, this shanty was probably used for the halyard or a long drag. A classic example of a 'stringing-out' shanty - one where the shanty singer could make up as many verses as required to get the job done. Sung at a session, it's important to read the room and think carefully about how many verses to include if there are lots of people who would like a sing - it would be totally historically in keeping to shorten (or even lengthen!) the song to match the occasion.

They call me hanging Johnny,
Away, boys, away!
They say I hang for money!
So hang, boys, hang!

They say I hanged my mother,
Away, boys, away!
My sisters and my brothers
So hang, boys, hang!

They say I hanged my granny,
Away, boys, away!
I strung her up so canny
So hang, boys, hang!

They say I hung a copper,
Away, boys, away!
I gave him the long dropper
So hang, boys, hang!

I’d hang the mates and skippers,
Away, boys, away!
I’d hang 'em by their flippers
So hang, boys, hang!

A rope, a beam, a ladder,
Away, boys, away!
I’ll hang ye all together
So hang, boys, hang!

Hang 'em from the yardarm,
Away, boys, away!
Hang the sea and buy a pigfarm
So hang, boys, hang!

They say I hang for money,
Away, boys, away!
I hang because it’s funny
So hang, boys, hang!

They call me hanging Johnny,
Away, boys, away!
Ain’t never hanged nobody
So hang, boys, hang!