John Kanaka
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A traditional shanty attested from the 1880s, likely originating in Australia or the Pacific Islands, though early evidence is scarce and the earliest known print reference doesn't appear until 1926, in an anthology collected in Maine.[1] Most modern versions draw heavily from Stan Hugill's renditions, as featured in his book Shanties of the Seven Seas and recorded for his 1980 album Stan Hugill Reminisces. The Longest Johns released their version on 7 March 2025 as part of the Horizon collection from Pieces of Eight, as well as an accompanying music video on YouTube.
Factoids
Kanaka is a word of Hawaiian origin meaning "man" or "human being". In the 19th century, many Pacific Islanders were recruited or coerced into work as sailors or agricultural laborers in eastern Australia and along the west coast of the Americas, and in these settings, the word came to refer specifically to the Islanders, as opposed to the European-descended residents.[2] In Australian English in particular, it took on derogatory connotations and now is generally avoided outside of the relevant historical context.[3]
Lyrics
As performed on the album.
I heard, I heard the old man say
(John kanaka-naka too-ri-ay)
Today, today is a holiday
(John kanaka-naka too-ri-ay) [continues throughout verses]
{Chorus}
Too-ri-ay, oh, too-ri-ay
John kanaka-naka too-ri-ay
We're bound away for Frisco Bay
We're bound away at the break of day
{Chorus}
I thought I heard the bos'n say
We'll work tomorrow; no work today
{Chorus}
It's rotten meat and weevily bread
In six months' time, you'll wish you were dead
{Chorus}
When we arrive in Mobile Bay
We'll tear the sheets and spend our pay
{Chorus}
The skipper says before we're through
You'll curse your mother for having you
{Chorus}