Folk Rock Music

The song “The John B. Sails” hails from the Bahamas. Richard Le Gallienne published a transcription in 1916. Carl Sandburg included it in his 1927 collection of folks songs titled The American Songbag. Alan Lomax had the song in his 1935 Deep River of Song collection. As with many folk songs, there are variations on the title, and there were a number of recordings in the 1950s and 1960s. The Kingston trio recorded “(The Wreck of the )”John B” in 1958. Johnny Cash did “I Want to Go Home” in 1959. Jimmie Rodgers did “Wreck of the John B” in 1960. Dick Dale did “Sloop John B” in 1962. And these were just a few.

Brian Wilson sang, produced, and arranged the recording for The Beach Boys. It is a fine example of Sixties folk rock. They released it first as a single, and it rose quickly to #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #2 in the U.K. , Ireland, and Canada. Chart in 1966. It became an international hit, going to#1 in Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, South Africa, and New Zealand. The Beach Boys included the song on their award-winning Pet Sounds album, which was released a few months later in 1966.

The Beach boys formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. They explored many genres, from surf rock to folk rock to psychedelic rock to pop ballads. The beautifully produced and arranged album showcased their vocal harmonies. The Beach Boys for the track were Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson.

Here are the lyrics to “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys:

“We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinkin’ all night, got into a fight
Well, I feel so broke up, I want to go home

So hoist up the John B’s sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, yeah yeah
Well, I feel so broke up, I wanna go home

The first mate, he got drunk
And broke in the captain’s trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don’t you leave me alone? Yeah yeah
Well, I feel so broke up, I wanna go home

So hoist up the John B’s sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, let me go home
Why don’t you let me go home?
Hoist up the John B’s sail
Hoist up the John B
I feel so broke up, I wanna go home
Let me go home

The poor cook he caught the fits
And threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
Why don’t they let me go home?
This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on

So hoist up the John B’s sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, let me go home
Why don’t you let me go?”

If you are interested in reading about and listening to other songs by The Beach Boys: “Help Me Rhonda,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Barbara-Ann,” and “Good Vibrations.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online music there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys.