Lowlands Low
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Not to be confused with Lowlands Away.
There are at least three apparently unrelated songs known as "Lowlands Low". The other two are also called "Sailing in the Lowlands Low" and "Golden Vanity", respectively. The version in question here is also known as "The Island Lass". It is a halyard shanty, first attested in print in 1914[1] but likely originating in the 19th century. The tune was borrowed from a song called "Miller of Dee", which was popularized in a comic opera in 1762 (and is also the origin of the tune for Old Maui). Stan Hugill, who collected the song in the 1930s, credits it as being West Indian in origin.[2]
Though not part of their normal repertoire, the Longest Johns recorded this song with guest artist Seán Dagher for a "Longest Johns and Friends" video, released on YouTube 10 March 2021.
Lyrics
Based on the music video with Seán Dagher.
Our packet ship is the Island Lass
(Lowlands, lowlands, lowlands low)
The old man's howling at the main topmast
(Lowlands, lowlands, lowlands low) [continues throughout verses]
{Chorus}
Lowlands, boys, away, oh
Lowlands, lowlands, lowlands low
The cook is rigged in soldier's clothes
Where he got 'em from, nobody knows
{Chorus}
He gives us bread as hard as stone
It'll break your teeth, it'll shatter your bones
{Chorus}
We'll haul 'em high and we'll let 'em dry
We'll leave 'em swingin' in the sky
{Chorus}
I wish I had ten thousand pounds
I'd buy a ship and I'd sail her 'round
{Chorus}
I'd fill her up with grub and gin
We'd stay in the port that we were in
{Chorus}
I'd feed ye well, and I'd raise yer pay
I'd fill yer cups three times a day
{Chorus}
So lowlands boys, and off she goes
Get changed me boys to yer shoregoing clothes
{Chorus}
Lowlands, lowlands, lowlands low