On the foggy foggy banks me boys we pitch and toss about
And we blow our frozen fingers as we hear the skipper shout
Heave away upon the capstan give a hand to heave the trawl

Oh when I was but a lad at school I wouldn't stay at home
Like lots of other foolish lads I thought I'd sooner roam
Heave away upon the capstan give a hand to heave the trawl

So I went and I joined a trawler and it's then I quickly found
That it wasn't all plain sailing when you reach the trawling ground
Heave away upon the capstan give a hand to heave the trawl

You'll be hauling night and day me boys, you're nearer slaves than men
And once you get all your fishes aboard it's time to haul again
Heave away upon the capstan give a hand to heave the trawl

And when the waves are pouring around us and they're pounding against the deck
Well you'll work your bit like all of the rest if you want to save your neck
Heave away upon the capstan give a hand to heave the trawl

And the captain's name is Johnson and he works us 'til we fall
And if he sees us a-shirkin' well it's God preserve us all
Heave away upon the capstan give a hand to heave the trawl