Long Hot Summer Days Lyrics

Lyric discussion by davidgottabite 

Cover art for Long Hot Summer Days lyrics by Sara Watkins

what is a jolly and leaving line?

A leaving line is a large (1 1/2-2 inch) rope, often with a loop in the end, that is left behind, or can be if needed, at the dock. They are cheap, for big rope & in the context of time is money, if you have to go. Can be cast off from the ship side and left with the dock end cleated. "Jolly line", I never did figure out, & never asked John the couple times I saw him. But my guess is that it referred to a 'Jolly boat', a skiff, that is used to ferry...