Donkey Riding

“Donkey Riding” (Roud 4540) is a traditional 19th-century Canadian/Scottish folk song and sea shanty, often used as a capstan shanty to work cargo. The lyrics, often adapted regionally, typically feature the chorus “Hey, ho, away we go, / Donkey riding, donkey riding” and describe experiences in ports like Quebec. The “donkey” refers to a steam-powered tractor/winch used for loading timber.