One More Pull

"One More Pull" was written and composed by the late Ian Woods of Suffolk and Cheshire in approximately 1980, and recorded by Ian with Charley Yarwood on their album Hooks and Nets.

Of the song, Ian wrote:

Charley Yarwood and I recorded it in 1982 on "Hooks and Nets". Twenty years later people still come up and request it, which is very satisfying. As I said then it's just a love song - no special social significance.

In 2021, the Longest Johns collaborated with shanty supergroup The Wellermen to release the song as a single. In the Wellermen version, a different singer leads each verse, and in livestreams, several band members have taken the lead in different performances, but the most recent evidence has JD currently singing lead on this song.

Lyrics

These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns in their livestreams; the original lyrics can be found here.

It's been a long time since you've seen her
Could have been three years or more
Will she be waiting when we dock, boys
Or, like the others, will she be gone?

{Chorus}
It's one more pull, boys, that'll do, boys
Soon we'll draw alongside
Hoist her upward, swing her inboard
For the journey's nearly done

Well, you're looking mighty smart, boy
Dressed up in your number ones
You've scrounged a new blade from the purser
To take the bum-fluff from off your chin

{Chorus}

When we've fixed those bow and stern lines
And you've scuttled down the gangway
If she's waiting there, just kiss her
Turn around, give us a smile

{Chorus}

Well, we too will go ashore soon
Get drunk in the clubs and bars
Then stagger homeward, pockets empty
Like so many times before

{Chorus}

Well, a man may take a wife, boy
And a man may take a mistress
But a sailor has his ship, boys
And his mistress, it is the sea

{Chorus 2x}

For the journey now is done

Recordings

Streaming/Purchase

YouTube Videos

Music Video (with The Wellermen)

Gig Videos

Full Band Streams