Interesting Facts about the Hilo Johnny Brown
I have great pleasure introduce to you the first song from Part Three of Stan Hugill’s “Shanties from the Seven Seas”, the “Hilo Johnny Brown” also known as “Stand to yer Ground!”. It opens a big group of the shanties with the word “Hilo” which depends on the context was port in the Hawaiian group, and, although occasionally referring by old shellbacks to this locality. Sometimes differently shanties it does refer to Peruvian nitrate port Ilo. “Hilo Johnny Brown” is the Negro origin halyard shanty and the usual verses of “Sally Brown” were used in this song.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 254).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 254).
The Record of the Hilo Johnny Brown
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 musical notation
The full lyrics
Hilo Johnny Brown
Saly she’m the gal that I love dear-ly,
– ‘WAY, sing, SALly! Ooh!
Saly she’m the gal that I love dear-ly,
– HIlo, Johnny Brown, STAND to yer ground!
* 2 *
Sally she’m the gal that I spliced nearly,
Her lips is red an’ her hair is curly,
* 3 *
Sally she’m a Badian beauty,
Sall-gal she’m know her dooty.
* 4 *
Sally she’m a bright mulatter,
She drinks rum an’ chaws terbacker.
* 5 *
Seven long years Ah courted Sally,
But Ah doan care ter dilly-dally,
(continue with other ‘Sally Brown’ verses)
* 6 *
Stand to yer ground an’ we’ll walk her up, boys,
Stand to yer ground an’ we’ll make a bit o’ noise.
* 7 *
Never mind the weather, boys, keep yer legs tergether,
Haul away, me bully boys, an’ burst the chafin’ leather.
* 8 *
The mate he goes aroun’, boys, dinging an’ a-dangin’,
Fair land o’ Caanan soon be a-showin’.