This a superb adaptation of Stevenson's poem. It deserves wide recognition.

“It’s one way or the other, Mr Jackson” he replied

“The sheets were frozen hard, and they cut the naked hand; The decks were like a slide, where a seaman scarce could stand; The wind was a nor’-wester, blowing squally off the sea; And cliffs and spouting breakers were the only things a-lee. They heard the suff a-roaring before the break of day; But ‘twas only with the peep of light we saw how ill we lay. We tumbled every hand on deck instanter, with a shout, And we gave her the maintops’l, and stood by to go about. All day we tacked and tacked between the South Head and the North; All day we hauled the frozen sheets, and got no further forth; All day as cold as charity, in bitter pain and dread, For very life and nature we tacked from head to head. We gave the South a wider berth, for there the tide-race roared; But every tack we made we brought the North Head close aboard. So’s we saw the cliff and houses and the breakers running high, And the coastguard in his garden, with his glass against his eye. The frost was on the village roofs as white as ocean foam; The good red fires were burning bright in every longshore home; The windows sparkled clear, and the chimneys volleyed out; And I vow we sniffed the victuals as the vessel went about. The bells upon the church were rung with a mighty jovial cheer; For it’s just that I should tell you how (of all days in the year) This day of our adversity was blessèd Christmas morn, And the house above the coastguard’s was the house where I was born. O well I saw the pleasant room, the pleasant faces there, My mother’s silver spectacles, my father’s silver hair; And well I saw the firelight, like a flight of homely elves, Go dancing round the china plates that stand upon the shelves. And well I knew the talk they had, the talk that was of me, Of the shadow on the household and the son that went to sea; And O the wicked fool I seemed, in every kind of way, To be here and hauling frozen ropes on blessèd Christmas Day. They lit the high sea-light, and the dark began to fall. “All hands to loose topgallant sails,” I heard the captain call. “By the Lord, she’ll never stand it,” our first mate, Jackson, cried. … .“It’s the one way or the other, Mr. Jackson,” he replied. She staggered to her bearings, but the sails were new and good, And the ship smelt up to windward just as though she understood; As the winter’s day was ending, in the entry of the night, We cleared the weary headland, and passed below the light. And they heaved a mighty breath, every soul on board but me, As they saw her nose again pointing handsome out to sea; But all that I could think of, in the darkness and the cold, Was just that I was leaving home and my folks were growing old.”

I don't think this gets the recognition it deserves as an absolute banger.

I first heard sting's version. Then I found the poem in a book of my mom's after she passed, and now I found this. That last line, gawd, how I've felt that on a Christmas evening, driving away.

I’m 8 years too late but it’s still one of the best that they have ever made

I'm convinced this is what Stevenson intended

I wasn't really in the mood for a Christmas song but that beat instantly hooked me like a trout and would not let go. EXCELLENT work.

I would love to thank y'all for the amazing music, I told my Choir director about y'all and now we're singing Christmas at sea in our Christmas performance.

IT'S ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, MR. JACKSON.

I spent Christmas getting obliterated in bootcamp, and I spent Christmas Eve on Firewatch from 2200 to 2400. It felt strange knowing it was Christmas, despite having none of the ambience that comes with it. During our trials on Christmas day, this was playing through my head the whole time.

I don't know why but there's something powerful about : "It's one day or the other Mr. Jackson" Edit:way not day

I wish i could make a painting based on this poem. Ship clawing from the lee shore with small snow covered settlement on it. Smoke from the chimneys, warm light from windows and cold and dread on the foreground.

Being so close to home but not being able to be with family for Christmas.... That hits deep this year.

Amazing, I just found out this was a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. You guys bring a whole new life to it

I don't know how to describe it but it makes me happy. This gave me chills

Oh my goodness. I haven't heard this one. The harmony is spectacular! Thanks for sharing! (Even though its almost 4 years later =O)

Probably the best shanty I've heard. This is a bop.

I have crab rave right after this on my playlist and I have no idea which one I'm hearing sometimes...

It's December, which means I can listen to this every day of the month without feeling out of season! 2022 now, and I'm schooling to be a sailor. Surely your songs had a sway! 2023, things are going pretty well. Made some wonderful friends and loving the experience!

Merry Christmas from me in 2020

Insanely good jam and yet with such old words. I love it.

This is gorgeous... I'm very picky about christmas music, but I love barbershop and Sea shanties, THIS IS A MASTERPIECE. (for those of you reading this, if you're into more vulgar humor in the same style, look up "Land Ho" and "Land Lio" by the Dread Crew of Oddwood)

The dislikes are from people that are out hauling frozen ropes on blessed Christmas Day.

I cant stop listening, Jesus guys your voices are amazing and you make every song 10x better than the original!

You guys are gonna make it big, for real.

This song is so underated.

Christ is upon the seas...a great tune!

First KZfaq comment of all time, but I had to say, this song is absolutely amazing, I've listened to it every day for at least a month. Love what you're doing, keep hoisting the thing and may the Wellerman always come.

Hmm going back and forth between this version and the new one I must say that I prefer this one. something with the voices and the feel of this one. god it's good.

First heard on radio 3 at Christmas can’t stop playing The longest Johns now. Even play this one out of season ‘

This is so mad, guys. Definitely in my top five favourite shanties you've done. Keep up the brilliant work!

This is my favorite longest johns song.

Those harmonies! Absolutely amazing

I wish my voice was that nice! Mine's all high pitched and creaky...

Damn I think I've had this song on loop for like 30 replays. This is a really amazing song. Well done!

Discovered your channel and this song in 2014 and it's been my favourite Christmas song since well done lad keep on doing what your doing

You need more Christmas song they are all great

I love the deep chorus of this song

Can’t wait ‘til Christmas to play this and really get into the season.

Am I the only one who was shocked to see it say 9y since uploading?

i have had this on loop for 30 minutes.

This is simply amazing,7 years later it’s still fire 🔥

Heard this for the first time during your latest stream and I'm addicted to it now!

I have stumbled upon a few of your videos today, you my fine gentlemen have now a new subscriber, well done, well done indeed :)

This is amazing!

Brilliant! Stevenson should be smiling down from the heavens.

Beautiful,powerful song!

Outstanding

this is my all time favorite tlg song

Amazing :) Thx for upload from Czech republic ^^

i swear i have heard the tune of this somewhere in like a cgp grey video or something like the how to become pope one

I think Gareth should've let you through the contest xxx

My english teacher told me and my classmates to memorize this

The only thing that is wrong with this is that I can't see you singing!

Have you got sheet music for this?

Up the tempo a bit and you've got a passable gabber/shanty crossover on your hands.

can someone put lyrics in comment?

Why does it sound so much like crab rave at some points

Who’s just getting this suggestion

ptsd simulator for me, basically.

Set it to 1.25x speed

This is pretty darn good. Here’s a comment so it gets more attention.