Interesting Facts about the John Dameray (Silsbee)
This shanty is known as “Johnny, Come Down the Backstay” or “John Dameray”. Stan Hugill claims it was a stamp-‘n’-go shanty, and a favorite in Yankee ships according to his shipmate Harding Barbadian, the Barbarian. This particular version comes from William Main Doerflinger in his “Shantymen And Shantyboys” (1951). William Doerflinger mentioned this song was sung at the braces, on American vessels, according to a manuscript by the late Nathaniel Silsbee of Cohasset, Massachusetts. Mr. Silsbee learned this shanty at sea in the 1880s and set down the words in 1893. Song refers to the sailor stunt of sliding down the backstays – a quick way of getting on deck from high aloft.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
The lyrics: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 272).
The Record of the John Dameray (Silsbee)
My reconstruction will imitate “stamp-n-go” shanty.
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
John Dameray (Silsbee)
Aloft we all must go-oh,
– John come down the backstay,
In hail and frost and snow-oh,
– John come down the backstay,
– John Dameray!
– John-Dameray! – John come down the backstay,
– John-Dameray! – John come down the backstay,
– John-Dameray!
– John-Dameray! – John come down the backstay,
– John-Dameray! – John come down the backstay,
– John–Dameray!
* 2 *
My ma she wrote to me,
“My son, come home from sea.”
* 3 *
Got no monay and no clo’es,
Am knocking out of doors.
* 4 *
My home I soon will be in,
And then we’ll have some gin.
* 5 *
From sea I will keep clear,
And live by selling beer.