This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Heave the anchor
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Heave the anchor by William Alexander Barrett — Lyrics
Heave the anchor, man the capstan,
Haul your sheets, and set your sails,
Fresh and fair the wind is blowing,
Sunny days bring prosperous gales,
Heave with a will, heave with a run,
Heave till on catfall, the anchor is swaying,
To it again, bring in the chain;
Time that the ship was weighing.
Heave the anchor, man the capstan,
Stand by sheets, and set your sails,
Fresh and fair the wind is blowing,
Yeo! heave ho!
Heave the anchor, now 'vast heaving,
Join the song as we set sail,
Once more see the coast we're leaving,
Stands all misty, blue and pale,
Now pull abreast, off to the west, dashing the spray,
Speeds the ship our dwelling.
See how the sails to the breezes are swelling,
On and away.
Heave the anchor, man the capstan,
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About Heave the anchor
This robust four-part setting for ATTB voices, Heave the anchor, captures the boisterous energy of sailors preparing to depart. The English text paints a vivid picture of the moment a ship is readied for sea: heaving the anchor, manning the capstan, and setting the sails to a fair wind. The composer uses the strong, evocative language to create a sense of communal effort and the excitement of setting off on a voyage, with the final lines, 'Yeo! heave ho!' and 'On and away,' emphasizing the forward momentum and anticipation of adventure. It is a spirited piece that would be well-suited for a concert programme aiming to evoke nautical themes or the spirit of camaraderie.
