Stormalong Lyrics

About this shanty

"Stormalong" — also known as "Old Stormy" — is a halyard shanty built around a mythical sailor hero: a giant of a man, the greatest sailor who ever lived. He was mourned in this shanty when his death was announced at the start of the haul. "Stormy" also appears as a stock character name in other shanties — see the sea shanty glossary. The shanty exists in two forms: a pumping version ("Stormalong John") and the broader halyard version ("Old Stormy") used below.

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Lyrics

Long-haul (halyard) shanty

Ol' Stormy he is dead and gone,
To me way, hay, Stormalong!
Ol' Stormy he is dead and gone,
Ay, ay, ay, Mister Stormalong!

We dug his grave with a silver spade,
To me way, hay, Stormalong!
His shroud of finest silk was made,
Ay, ay, ay, Mister Stormalong!

We lowered him down with a golden chain,
To me way, hay, Stormalong!
Our eyes all dim with more than rain,
Ay, ay, ay, Mister Stormalong!

Old Stormy was a good old man,
To me way, hay, Stormalong!
A good old man was old Stormy then,
Ay, ay, ay, Mister Stormalong!

He's moored at last and furled his sail,
To me way, hay, Stormalong!
No more he'll weather wind or gale,
Ay, ay, ay, Mister Stormalong!

I wish I was old Stormy's son,
To me way, hay, Stormalong!
I'd build a ship of a thousand ton,
Ay, ay, ay, Mister Stormalong!

Related shanties

Blow the Man Down — long-haul shanty
Hanging Johnny — long-haul shanty
Blow Boys Blow — long-haul shanty
Leave Her, Johnny — ceremonial shanty