[2] Perhaps because of the family tradition of maritime service, Tawney joined the Royal Navy at the age of sixteen, serving for thirteen years, several of which were spent in submarines.
I can't hear him calling like I used to before I came through the gateway and I heard the sergeant say "The big boys are a coming, see their stands across the way" And the rains softly falling and the Oggie man's no more...
In addition to presenting traditional material, Tawney composed a number of his own songs, the majority being written when he was in the Royal Navy and relating to that period – for example, "Chicken on a Raft", which follows the call and response style of sea shanties.
"The Grey Funnel Line" has achieved enduring popularity, being covered by artists such as Lou Killen, The Clancy Brothers, Maddy Prior, June Tabor, The Longest Johns, Tom Lewis, and Jon Boden.
[7] It was even recorded by Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt and released on their album The Complete Trio Collection.
[8] Tawney's song, "Sally Free And Easy", written in the late 1950s, was covered by numerous folk artists, including Carolyn Hester, Dorris Henderson and John Renbourn, Davey Graham, Pentangle, The Corries, Marianne Faithfull, Alan Stivell and Bob Dylan.
– Roy Williamson, introducing the song on the album "The Corries in Concert"Beginning in 1972, Tawney studied English and History at Lancaster University.
In 1987, Tawney's book Grey Funnel Lines: Traditional Song and Verse of the Royal Navy 1900 to 1970, was published by Routledge.