Halyard (Long Drag) Shanties

Halyard (or Long Drag) shanties were sung to the raising and lowering of sails, or other long, heavy tasks such as catting the anchor. Sails hung from wooden cross-pieces called yards. With the canvas and wood, sails could weigh between 1,000 and 2,500 pounds. To set sail a member of the crew would climb the rigging to loosen the canvas. On deck the crew would take hold of a line called the halyard (for haul + yard). The crew would rest during the verse and haul during the chorus. Depending on the weight of the sail, crews could pull one (for heavy jobs) to three (for lighter jobs) times per chorus, hauling on the accentuated beats.