The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
When I was a little lad, so my mother told me,
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
That if I did not kiss the girls my lips would all go moldy.
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away haul away, we’re bound for better weather.
TIMMY
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Now first I met an English girl and she was fat and easy.
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
And then I met an Irish girl, she damn near drove me crazy.
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away haul away, This good ship now is rollin’
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Now first I met a squire who tried to start a revolution
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
And then he got his head chopped off it spoiled his constitution
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away haul away, we’re bound for better weather.
TIMMY
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
That if I did not kiss the girls my lips would all go moldy.
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away haul away, we’re bound for better weather.
TIMMY
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Now first I met an English girl and she was fat and easy.
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
And then I met an Irish girl, she damn near drove me crazy.
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away haul away, This good ship now is rollin’
TIMMY
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Now first I met a squire who tried to start a revolution
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
And then he got his head chopped off it spoiled his constitution
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Away haul away, we’re bound for better weather.
TIMMY
Away haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Lyrics submitted by dewa
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