Month: March 2022

The Lowlands Low (A)

Interesting Facts about The Lowlands Low (A)

The lilt of the word ‘Lowlands’ seemed to have a fascination for the shantyman and sailor in general. A very ancient song of the sea sings of the Lowlands of Holland, those of Scottland, and even the Lowlands of Virginia were all woven into the songs of the shantyman. Stan Hugill mentioned that Capitan Davis (“Sailors’ Songs and Shanties” – 1887) gives it as a shanty, but Stan Hugill and many of his shipmates have sung this old song at both capstan and pumps.

This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 62, 63). I will try to recreate is capstan, and I heard it on Stan Hugill’s album – “A Salty Fore Topman” (1989).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 62, 63).

The Record of The Lowlands Low (A)

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

The Lowlands Low (A) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

the-lowlands-low-a - musical notation

The full lyrics

The Lowlands Low (A)

There once was a skipper who was boastin’ on the quay,
Oh, I have a ship and a gallant ship is she,
Of all the ships I know. She is far the best to me,
an’ she’s sailing in the Low-lands, Low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, she’s sailing in the, Lowlands Low!

* 2 *

Oh, I had her built in the North a-counterie,
And I have her christened The “Golden Vanitee”.
I armed her and I manned her an’ I sent her off to sea
And she’s sailing in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and she’s sailing in the...

* 3 *

Then up spoke a sailor who had just returned from sea
‘Oh, I wuz aboard of the “Golden Vanitee”
When she wuz held in chase by a Spanish piratee
And we sank her in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and we sank her in the...

* 4 *

Oh, we had aboard o’ us a little cabin-boy
Who said, – “What will ye give me if the galley I destroy?”
Oh, ye can wed my daughter, she is my pride and joy
If ye sink her in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, if ye sink her in the...

* 5 *

‘Of treasure and of gold I will give to ye a store,
And my pretty little daughter that dwelleth on the shore,
Of treasure and of fee as well I’ll give to thee galore,
If ye sink her in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low–lands, Lowlands, if ye sink her in the...

* 6 *

So the boy bared his breast and he plunged into the tide
An’ he swam until he came to the rascal pirate’s side
He climbed on the deck an’ went below, by none was he espied
And he sank’em in the low–lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and he sank’em in the...

* 7 *

He bore with his auger, he bored once an’ twice
And some were playin’ cards an’ some were playin’ dice
An’ water flowed in an’ dazzled their eyes
An’ he sank’em in the low–lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, an’ he sank’em in the...

* 8 *

Oh, some were playing cards, oh, an’ some were playin’ dice
And some wuz in their hammocks a-sportin’ with their wives
An’ then he let the water in an’ put out all their lights
And he sank her in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and he sank her in the...

* 9 *

Then the cabin-boy did swim o’er to the starboard side
Sayin’ – “Capen, take me up, I am drifting with the tide.”
“I will ink ye, I will kill ye, if ye claim my child as bride,
I will sink ye in the low-lands, low.”
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, I will sink ye in the...

Then the cabin-boy did swim all to the lardboard side
Sayin’ – “Shipmates take me up for I’m drowinin’ with the tide.”
They hauled him up so quickly, but when on deck he died
And they buried him in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and they buried him in the …

* 11 *

‘And his shipmates took him up, and when on deck he died
They sewed him in his hammock which was so strong and wide
They said a short prayer o’er him, and they dropped him in the tide
And they sailed from the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and they sailed from the …

* 12 *

Here’s a curse upon that Captain, wherever he may be
For taking a poor cabin-boy so far away to sea
For taking a poor cabin-boy so far away to sea
And to leave him in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low–lands, Lowlands, and to leave him in the ...

Related to Larry Marr …

A Long Time Ago (C)

California

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

The Five-Gallon Jar

Interesting Facts about The Five-Gallon Jar

This version of The Five-Gallon Jar is a forebitter, (Only the first verse and all choruses are Hugill’s version), which Stan Hugill took from old Irish Sailor Paddy Delaney. We see the story of Jack Ratcliffe and Marry Ann, a couple who were crimps and took profit from the “Shanghaiing” sailors.
Shanghaiing or crimping is the practice of kidnapping people to serve as sailors by coercive techniques such as trickery, intimidation, or violence. Those engaged in this form of kidnapping were known as crimps.

The source of this forebitter

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 61).

The lyrics: The first full verse and all Choruses come from: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 61). To make the song story complete, and give it a sensible length I added other 3 verses from (Doerflinger – ‘Songs of the Sailor and Lumberman’ – p111) Doerflinger’s version of “The Big Five-Gallon Jar” comes from Capitan Henry E. Burke.

To keep the consistency of the song I replaced Doerflinger verses I replaced the original wife’s name from “Caroline” into Hugill’s “Mary Ann”.

The Record of The Five-Gallon Jar

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

The Five-Gallon Jar - Forebitter

The musical notation

the-five-gallon-jar - musical notation

The full lyrics

The Five-Gallon Jar

In Liverpool there lived a man, Jack Ratcliffe was his name
An’in the days of the Cape Horn Trade, he played the Shanghai Game,
His wife’s name was Mary Ann, sailors knew both near an’far,
an’ when they played the Shanghai Game, They used the big stone Jar,

– In The Old Virginia Lowlands, Lowlands Low
– In The Old Virginia Lowlands Low.

* 2 *

There were drunkards in the corner and bummers at the bar
And [Mary Ann]Caroline was supplying them with a big five-gallon jar
……………
……………

* 3 *

Said old Jack to old [Mary Ann]Caroline, I’ll tell you what we’ll do,
There’s a ship lying down to McKinnon’s Wharf; I think she wants a crew.
We’ll go down around the corners to get some drunken tars
We’ll shanghai them away out of Liverpool Bay with a big five gallon jar.

* 4 *

So Jack and Cal[Ann] they worked their game when the ships signed on their tars,
Skys’l Jack and Pete and Bowline Bill helped to judge old Cal’s five gallon jar.
Now we’ll bid adieu to Cal and Jack and set our sails for ports afar
Dear Shanghai Cal, we’ll all come back, and sample Jack’s five-gallon jar.

Related to this Forebitter

Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

The Gals O’ Dublin Town (A)

Susannavisan

Larry Marr

Interesting Facts about Larry Marr

“Larry Marr”, also known as “Five Gallon Jar”, was the shanty used at the capstan and pumps sometimes. In the chorus, it is related to the “short refrain” version of “The Limejuice Ship”. This version was taken by Stan Hugill from Irish Sailor, Paddy Delaney. Paddy Delaney was sure that is of Irish origin.

Shanghaiing or crimping is the practice of kidnapping people to serve as sailors by coercive techniques such as trickery, intimidation, or violence. Those engaged in this form of kidnapping were known as crimps.

The verb “shanghai” joined the lexicon with “crimping” and “sailor thieves” in the 1850s, possibly because Shanghai was a common destination for ships with abducted crews. The term has since expanded to mean “kidnapped” or “induced to do something by means of fraud”.

This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 60). I will sing this song as a capstan shanty. And try to recreate this song from hearted Stan Hugill’s version from the album “Shanties From The Seven Seas” (1962), with The York & Albany Crew.

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 60).

The Record of the Larry Marr

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

Larry Marr - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

larry-marr - musical notes

The full lyrics

Larry Marr

There wuz five or six old drunken shellbacks standin’ before the bar
An’ Larry he wuz servin’ them from a big five-gallon jar

– Then hoist up yer flag, long may it wave
– Long may it lead us to the glory or the grave
– Steady boys steady, we’ll sound this Jubilee
– For Babylon’s a fallen an’ the Diggers are set free!

* 2 *

In Larry’s place way on the coast there lived old Larry Marr
Missus an’ Larry did employ such a big five-gallon jar.

* 3 *

The pair they played the Shanghai game, wuz known both near an’ far’
They never missed a lucky chance to use the five-gallon jar.

* 4 *

A hell-ship she wuz short o’ hands, o’ full red-blooded tars,
Missus an’ Larry would prime the beer in their ol’ five-gallon jar.

* 5 *

Shellbacks an’ farmers jist the same sailed into Larry Marr’s,
And sailed away around the Horn, helped by the five-gallon jar.

* 6 *

In ‘Frisco town their names is known, as is the Cape Horn Bar,
An’ the dope they serve out to ol’ Jack, from the big five-gallon jar.

* 7 *

From the Barbary Coast steer clear, me boys, an’ from ol’ Larry Marr,
Or else damn soon shanghaied ye’ll be by Larry’s five-gallon jar.

* 8 *

Shanghaied away in a skys’l-ship around Cape Horn so far,
Goodbye to all the boys an’ girls an’ Larry’s five-gallon jar.

(Verses 1&7 have the first tune – rest have the second tune)

Related to Larry Marr

A Long Time Ago (C)

California

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

The Limejuice Ship (Short Chorus)

Interesting Facts about The Limejuice Ship (Short Chorus)

The Limejuice Ship (Short Chorus) was often used at pumps and sometimes at the capstan, but it is forebitter really. This version is sung to a similar tune for verses as the “long chorus” version, but with five verses, the fifth one being the long chorus. And the chorus however is shorter.

The source of this forebitter

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 58, 59).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 58, 59).

The Record of The Limejuice Ship (Short Chorus)

I will sing and play this song as a forebitter.

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

The Limejuice Ship (Short Chorus) - Forebitter

The musical notation

the-limejuice-ship-short-chorus music notation

The full lyrics

The Limejuice Ship (Short Chorus)

Now, if ye want a merchant ship to sail the sea at large
Ya’ll not have any trouble if ye have a good discharge,
Signed by the Board o’ Trade an’ ev’rything exact,
For there’s nothin’ done on a Limejuice ship contrary to the Act.

– Shout, boys, shout! For I tell you it’s a fact
– There’s nothin’ done on a Limejuice ship contrary to the Act.

* 2 *

Now when ye join a merchant ship ye’ll hear yer Articles read.
They’ll tell ye of yer beef an’pork, yer butter an’ yer bread,
Yer sugar, tea an’ coffee, boys, yer peas an’ beans exact,
Yer limejuice an’ vinegar, boys, according to the Act.

* 3 *

No watch an’ watch the first day out, according to the Act.
Ten days out we all lay aft to get our limejuice whack.
Fetch out her handy billy, boys, and clap it on the tack,
For we gonna set the mains’l, oh, according to the Act.

* 4 *

Its up the deck, me bully boys, with many a curse we go,
Awaiting to hear eight bells struck that we might go below.
Eight bells is struck, the watch is called, the log is hove exact;
Relieve the wheel an’ go below, according to the Act.

* 5 *

So haul, boys, yer weather main brace an’ ease a-way yer lee
Hoist jibs an’ tops’ls lads an’ let the ship go free,
Hurrah, boys, hurrah! We’ll sing this Jubilee,
Damn an bugger the Navy, boys, A merchant ship for me!

Related to this Forebitter

The Five-Gallon Jar

The Gals O’ Dublin Town (A)

Susannavisan

The Limejuice Ship (Long Chorus)

Interesting Facts about The Limejuice Ship (Long Chorus)

“The Limejuice Ship (Long Chorus)” is the forebitter really. Stan Hugill tells us about this song was also used at pumps, and sometimes at the capstan. The Merchant Shipping Act came out in the year 1894. The document laid down the amount of food, water, etc. sailor was allowed when on shipboard. This doling out of rations was known to him as “Pound and Pint”. The Act also covered fines and punishments for delinquent mariners, such as “For concealing Knuckledusters, Slung-shot, sword-stick, etc. 5s. for each day of concealment’, and many commandments and regulations in a similar strain. According to Stan Hugill, the item around which the sarcastic song was built; has the Yanks’ origin. This is because American sailors call English sailors “Limejuicers”, It was due to the daily issuing of lime juice to British crews when they had been at a certain number of days at sea.

Stan Hugill’s version

Stan Hugill’s version of the song is partly that of his father and partly that of a shipmate, Arthur Spencer. The sailors sang this song in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia version of the song is one about “Sauerkraut and bully” sung in the Lunenburg dialect.

The source of this forebitter

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 58, 59).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 58, 59).

The Record of The Limejuice Ship (Long Chorus)

I will sing this song as a forebitter.

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

The Limejuice Ship (Long Chorus) - Forebitter

The musical notation

the-limejuice-ship-long-horus - music notation

The full lyrics

The Limejuice Ship (Long Chorus)

Now, if ye want a merchant ship to sail the sea at large
Ya’ll not have any trouble if ye have a good discharge,
Signed by the Board o’ Trade an’ ev’rything exact,
For there’s nothin’ done on a Limejuice ship contrary to the Act.

– So haul, boys, yer weather main brace an’ ease a-way yer lee
– Hoist jibs an’ tops’ls lads an’ let the ship go free,
– Hurrah, boys, hurrah! We’ll sing this Jubilee,
– Damn an bugger the Navy, boys, A merchant ship for me!

* 2 *

Now when ye join a merchant ship ye’ll hear yer Articles read.
They’ll tell ye of yer beef an’pork, yer butter an’ yer bread,
Yer sugar, tea an’ coffee, boys, yer peas an’ beans exact,
Yer limejuice an’ vinegar, boys, according to the Act.

* 3 *

No watch an’ watch the first day out, according to the Act.
Ten days out we all lay aft to get our limejuice whack.
Fetch out her handy billy, boys, and clap it on the tack,
For we gonna set the mains’l, oh, according to the Act.

* 4 *

Its up the deck, me bully boys, with many a curse we go,
Awaiting to hear eight bells struck that we might go below.
Eight bells is struck, the watch is called, the log is hove exact;
Relieve the wheel an’ go below, according to the Act.

Related to this Forebitter

The Five-Gallon Jar

The Gals O’ Dublin Town (A)

Susannavisan

So Early In The Morning (C)

Interesting Facts about So Early In The Morning (C)

Another version of “So Early In The Morning”. The Interesting Facts about So Early In The Morning (C) was sung at the capstan and pumps and is usually heard aboard ships in the West Indian Trade.

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the pump shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 57).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 57, 58). The Last Two verses have been added by me, they come from version (A) of the song to extend this song a bit, and give it minimal full song length.

The Record of the So Early In The Morning (C)

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

So Early In The Morning (C) - Pump Shanty

The musical notation

so-early-in-the-morning-c - musical notation

The full lyrics

So Early In The Morning (C)

When ye gits to Bristol Town,
drink a health to them chowlah’s me boys,
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!
– Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
– Bottle of very good whisky-O!
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!

* 2 *

Now we’re bound to Kingston Town,
Where the rum flows round an’ round.
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!
– Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
– Bottle of very good whisky-O!
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!

* 3 *

The Mate wuz drunk an’ he went below
To take a swing o’ his Bottle-O!
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!
– Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
– Bottle of very good whisky-O!
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!

* 4 *

A Tread on me coat, and all-hands-in
A bully good rough an’ tumble-O!
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!
– Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
– Bottle of very good whisky-O!
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!

* 5 *

A drinkin’ song, a song o’ love!
a ditty o’ seas and shipmatessing-song-O!
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!
– Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
– Bottle of very good whisky-O!
– So early in the mornin;
– Sailor love the Bottle-O!

Related to this sea shanty

A-Rovin’ (A)

So Early In The Morning (A)

So Early In The Morning (B)

So Early In The Morning (B)

Interesting Facts about So Early In The Morning (B)

Miss C. F. Smith writes that So Early In The Morning (B), was a favorite in the old Black-wallers. Its opening solo bears a striking resemblance to the shanty “Miss Lucy Long. Stan Hugill claims that is this version he took from Ezra Cobb, a bluenose (Nova Scotian) seamen of the old school, he says: this version was sung only at pumps, although he did say that “There used sometimes at caps’n.’

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the pump shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 57).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 56).

The Record of the So Early In The Morning (B)

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

So Early In The Morning (B) - Pump Shanty

The musical notation

so-early-in-the-morning-b - musical notation

The full lyrics

So Early In The Morning (B)

The bottle-O, the bottle-O, the sailor loves The bottle-O,
So! early in the morning the sailor loves… his bottle O!

* 2 *

A bottle o’ rum, a bottle o’ beer, a bottle o’ Red-eye whisky-O
So! early in the morning the sailor likes… his bottle O!

* 3 *

The baccy-O, terbaccy-O, the sailor loves his baccy-O.
So! early in the morning the sailor loves… his bottle O!

* 4 *

A packet o’ shag, a packet o’ cut, a plug o’ hard terbaccy-O
So! early in the morning the sailor loves… his bottle O!

* 5 *

The lassies-O, the maidens-O, the sailor loves the judies-O.
So! early in the morning the sailor loves… his bottle O!

* 6 *

A lass from the ‘Pool, a gal from the Tyne, a chowlah so fine an’ dandy-O.
So! early in the morning the sailor loves… his bottle O!

* 7 *

A bully rough-house, a bully rough-house, the sailor likes a rough-house-O
So! early in the morning the sailor likes… his bottle O!

* 8 *

A Tread on me coat, and all-hands-in, a bully good rough an’ tumble-O.
So! early in the morning the sailor loves… his bottle O!

* 9 *

A sing-song-O, a sing-song-O, the sailor likes a sing-song-O.
So! early in the morning the sailor likes… his bottle O!

* 10 *

A drinkin’ song, a song o’ love, a ditty o’ seas and shipmatessing-song-O,
So! early in the morning the sailor loves… his bottle O!

Related to this sea shanty

A-Rovin’ (A)

So Early In The Morning (A)

So Early In The Morning (C)

So Early In The Morning (A)

Interesting Facts about So Early In The Morning (A)

This is another shanty telling of Sailor’s shore amusements, it was used both for halyards and pumps. The first line is the chorus, sung as many shantymen sang the chorus of other shanties, as an introduction when they were in doubt as to whether a greenhorn crowd knew the refrain or not. This version is a Liverpool-Irish one.

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the pump shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 56).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 56).

The Record of the So Early In The Morning (A)

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

So Early In The Morning (A) - Pump Shanty

The musical notation

so-early-in-the-morning-a musical notation

The full lyrics

So Early In The Morning ( A )

– So! early in the mornin: the sailor likes… his bottle O!

* 1 *

The mate was drunken’ and he went below to take a swig at his bottle O,
– So! early in the mornin: the sailor likes… his bottle O!

* 2 *

The bottle-O, the bottle-O, the sailor loves his bottle-O,

* 3 *

A bottle o’ rum, a bottle o’ gin, a bottle o’ irish whisky-O

* 4 *

The baccy-O, terbaccy-O, the sailor loves his baccy-O.

* 5 *

A packet o’ shag, a packet o’ cut, a plug o’ hard terbaccy-O

* 6 *

The lassies-O, the maidens-O, the sailor loves the judies-O.

* 7 *

A lass from the ‘Pool, a gal from the Tyne, a chowlah so fine an’ dandy-O.

* 8 *

A bully rough-house, a bully rough-house, the sailor likes a rough-house-O

* 9 *

A Tread on me coat, and all-hands-in, a bully good rough an’ tumble-O.

* 10 *

A sing-song-O, a sing-song-O, the sailor likes a sing-song-O.

* 11 *

A drinkin’ song, a song o’ love, a ditty o’ seas and shipmatessing-song-O,

Related to this sea shanty

A-Rovin’ (A)

So Early In The Morning (B)

So Early In The Morning (C)

The Girl in Portland Street

Interesting Facts about The Girl in Portland Street

Another shanty from “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill, is named “The Girl in Portland Street”. Curious shanty related in theme to “A-rovin'”. Harlow gives us this chantey under the title: “Fal-de-all-day”. This song is called Whistling Chantey from the fact that the first refrain was sometimes whistled. According to Stan Hugill in sailors’ version was always sung at pumps, and in this tempo, I will sing this song (however Harlow states this shanty was often sung at the windlass while heaving up the anchor).

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the pump shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 53).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 53, 54).

The Record of The Girl in Portland Street

Below is the text of the version, I will try to recreate: Lyrics from Shanties from the Seven Seas, by Stan Hugill pages 54 and 55.

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

The Girl In Portland Street - Pump Shanty

The musical notation

the-girl-in-portland-street - musical notation

The full lyrics

The Girl in Portland Street

I met a gal in Portland Street,
– Fol-de-lol, fol-de-lol, fol-de-lol, lol day, (or else repeat solo with wistle)
I met a gal in Portland Street,
– With a fol-de-lol-day, fol-de-lol-day, fol-de-lol-lol-de, lol-de, lol-day!

* 2 *

This gal I met in Portland Street,
Was the sweetest gal I ever did meet.

* 3 *

Sez I, ‘Me gal, ,Ow do ye do?’
Sez she, ,The worse for seein’ of you.’

* 4 *

‘Now, miss,’ sez I, ‘I like yer style.’
Sez she, ‘Young man, just wait a while.’

* 5 *

‘Just wait until you try an’ play,
And then I’ll send ye on yer way.’

* 6 *

I took her hand into my own,
And we headed soon for her old home.

* 7 *

And in her room, not far away,
We drank until the break o’ day.

* 8 *

I pulled her down on my lap,
Sez she, ‘Young man, your face I’ll slap.’

* 9 *

On her ankle next I placed my hand,
Says she, for this, I will not stand.’

* 10 *

I pulled her dress above her knee,
Sez she, ‘Young man, please let me be.’

* 11 *

‘And why did I no further go?
Alas! her leg was cork, you know!’

Related to this sea shanty

A -Rovin’ (B)

A- Rovin’ (C)

Go Roving (Capstan Song for the Christiania Packet)

The Gals O’ Chile

Interesting Facts about The Gals O’ Chile

The Gals O’ Chile is an outward-bound capstan anchor shanty and a version is also to be found in Captain Robinson’s collection; Miss Colcord also gives it, but she had it from Captain Robinson. He gives it the title of “Hero Bangidero”, his first and third refrains being “To my hero Bangidero”, but this refrain, on his own admission, was never sung – being bawdy, it has been camouflaged by Stan Hugill.

This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 53). Stan Hugill left a record on his album: “A Salty Fore Topman” where singing with Stormalong John, and this is the version that I try to replicate.

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 53, 54).

The Record of The Gals O’ Chile

You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.

The Gals O’ Chile - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

the-gals-o-chile - musical notation

The full lyrics

The Gals O’ Chile

To.. Chile’s coast we are bound away
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
To.. Chile’s coast we are bound away
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
We are bound away, at the break o’day,
Where they little Spanish gals are so bright an’gay,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals! (spanish -> dago)

* 2 *

An’ when we get to Vallipo,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
An’ when we get to Vallipo,
– We’ll all drink lots of vino!
Dance the gals up the street with a roll-‘n’-go,
Grab ’em round the middle an’ we won’t let go.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 3 *

Them gals o’Chile, they are hard to beat.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them gals o’Chile, they are hard to beat.
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
From truck to keel they are trim an’ sweet,
They’re all a-pullin’ on the ol’ main-sheet.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 4 *

Them senioritas, they are smart and gay,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them senioritas, they are smart and gay,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They dance an’ drink till the break o’ day,
Then clean ye out an’ blow yer pay.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 5 *

Rosita, Anna, and Carmen too,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Rosita, Anna, and Carmen too,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They’ll greet ye with a hullabaloo,
An’ soon ye’ll know what they can do.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 6 *

My trim little frigate is very smart(sharp) craft,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
My trim little frigate is very smart craft,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
She’s armed to the teeth both fore ‘n’ aft,
Sharp at the bows with a fine view abaft.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 7 *

Them ol’ senyoras, as we know well,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them ol’ senyoras, as we know well,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They’re red-hot divils from the other side o’ hell,
An’ ye’ll niver get a chance for to ring a Chile belle.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 8 *

When the time comes for to sing farewell,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
When the time comes for to sing farewell,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
Goodbye to the gals an’ our money as well,
Callyo, Caquimbo, an’ ol’ Corynel.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

Related to this sea shanty

Goodbye Fare-ye-well (A)

Sally Brown (A)

The Girl in Portland Street