A Shanty of the Canadian Timber Trade
Donkey Riding is one of the best-known maritime work songs associated with the nineteenth-century timber trade between Canada and Britain. The song was particularly linked with the ports of Quebec and other Canadian timber-loading centres where sailing ships carried vast cargoes of lumber across the Atlantic.
Timber Droghers and Dock Workers
Maritime historian Stan Hugill described Donkey Riding as a popular shanty among timber droghers operating between Liverpool and Canadian ports. It was used both aboard ship and during cargo handling work, helping labourers coordinate heavy physical tasks.
What Was the 'Donkey'?
The title is generally believed to refer to a steam donkey, a small steam-powered winch used for moving heavy cargoes. The song's references to loading timber and hard physical labour fit closely with this interpretation.
Quebec and the Lumber Trade
The best-known verse begins by asking whether the listener has ever been in Quebec loading timber on deck. This reflects the reality of the Canadian timber trade, which supplied huge quantities of wood to Britain during the nineteenth century.
A Long Maritime History
The earliest documented record of Donkey Riding dates from 1857. The song is related to Highland Laddie, sharing similarities in both tune and structure. Over time it became established as both a cargo-working song and a capstan shanty.
“Way hay and away we go, riding on a donkey.”
Why We Still Sing It
- It preserves the heritage of the Canadian timber trade.
- Its chorus is easy for audiences to join in with.
- It reflects the working lives of sailors, dockers and stevedores.
- It remains one of the most recognisable traditional shanties.
Today Donkey Riding remains a favourite at maritime festivals and shanty events around the world, connecting modern audiences with the ships, dockyards and timber ports of the nineteenth century.