Heave Away, Me Jollies (arr. Ryan O'Connell): TB Choral Octavo

Salty and boisterous without feeling forced or overly theatrical. The arrangement invites camaraderie and call-and-response energy while maintaining enough musical substance to engage singers who want something more than novelty.

Male choirs and mixed ensembles looking for a folk arrangement that doesn't require a massive vocal range or complicated part-writing. This works equally well for festival choirs seeking program variety and community groups drawn to authentic sea shanty traditions.

• Lean into the rhythmic drive of the accompaniment; this piece thrives on a steady, propulsive pulse rather than rubato
• Balance the melodic line between tenor and baritone carefully during sections where the parts divide, ensuring neither voice gets swallowed
• Experiment with staggered entrances during repeat sections to create cumulative textural buildup without re-singing the same material

Pair this with other nautical or folk-adjacent repertoire for a thematic concert, or use it as an energetic closer that leaves the audience smiling. It's also nimble enough to drop into a mixed program where you want a tonal shift from more serious work.

• Singing rhythmically independent lines while tracking an accompaniment
• Blending and balancing in divided male voicing
• Responding to stylistic demands of folk music (phrasing, rhythmic precision, tonal openness)