Ranzo Ray A

Interesting Facts about the Ranzo Ray A

Ranzo Ray A is one of the shanties with the word Ranzo in the chorus. The seamen that Stan Hugill learned this song from said it was a hauling song. This shanty was also sung as the capstan shanty but much more popular as a halyard song. Stan Hugill says there were three ways of singing this shanty, the first two very popular among white seamen, and the third being the Negro way of singing it. All those versions are actually Negro origin. It is one of the many shanties stemming from the cotton Hoosiers of Mobile, who may, in turn, have had it from the rivermen of the Mississippi or Ohio.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 247, 248).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 247, 248).

The Record of the Ranzo Ray 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.

Ranzo Ray A - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Ranzo Ray A - music notation

The full lyrics

Ranzo Ray A

Oh, the bully boat’s a comin’, Don’t ye hear the paddles rollin’?
– RANzo, Raanzo, HURray, hurray!
Oh the bully boot’s a comin’, down the river she’s a bowlin’
– Ranzo, Ranzo RAY!

* 2 *

Ooh, the bully boat’s a-comin’, down the Mississippi floatin’,
Ooh, the bully boat’s a-comin’, an’ the gals is all a-waitin’,

* 3 *

Ooh, I’m bound away ter leave yer, but I never will deceive yer.
I’m bound away ter leave yer, my half-pay I’m gonna leave yer.

* 4 *

Ooh, we’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners
Ooh, we’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners

* 5 *

Oh, we bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter.
Oh, we bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter.

* 6 *

Ooh, we’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors.
Ooh, we’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors.

* 7 *

Oh, we’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries.
Oh, we’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries.

* 8 *

Oh, we’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager.
Oh, we’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager.

* 9 *

When I come again, ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer.
When I come again
, ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer.

* 10 *

Oh, we’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan.
Oh, we’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan.

* 11 *

Oh, as I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’.
Oh, as I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’.

* 12 *

Oh, we’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.
Oh, we’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.

Related to this sea shanty

Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall version

Reuben Ranzo – Patterson version

High O Come Roll Me Over!

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