The earliest print version of the song is from a collection of Cecil Sharp in 1904 from Captain Vickery of Minehead, Somerset, England.
[1][2][3][4] The song was described by American folklorist Kenneth S. Goldstein as, "A favourite shanty for windlass work, when the ship was being warped out of harbour at the start of a trip.
"[4] In 1957, it was recorded as "Heave Away, My Johnny" by English folk singers A. L. Lloyd and Ewan MacColl on their album of whaling ballads and songs, Thar She Blows.
[4] In 1964, English folk singer Lou Killen sang "Heave Away My Johnny" in 1964 on the Topic anthology of sea songs and shanties, Farewell Nancy.
In 1997, it was recorded as "Come Get Your Duds In Order (Heave Away)" by Canadian Celtic rock group The Punters on their second album "Said She Couldn't Dance".