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