The short haul shanty was sung when a job of hauling on a line needed great force, but was expected to be brief. The crew would give one strong pull during each chorus. In this song, Boney, the lyrics refer to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French leader who is best remembered for his role in the wars led against France, known as the Napoleonic Wars, between 1803 and 1815. The Mystic Seaport Chanteymen performed this shanty on the recording "Songs of the Sailor."