Interesting Facts about the John Dameray (Harding)
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 song was sung at the braces.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 273).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 273).
The Record of the John Dameray (Harding)
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 (Harding)
Around Cape Horn we go – o,
– Johnny, come-down the backstay,
Trough wind an’ rain an’ snow – o,
– Johnny, come-down the backstay,
– Johny, come down the backstay, John Damaray-ay
– Johnny, come down the backstay, John Damaray-ay,
– Johny, come down the backstay, John Damaray-ay,
* 2 *
Hoist her from down below,
Through wind an’ rain an’ sno-ow,
* 3 *
Oh, shake her as she ro-olls,
For John’s a bully so-oul.
* 4 *
“Tis time now for our smoko,
The Ol’ Man he’s gone loco.
* 5 *
When I gits me feet ashore,
From sea I won’t go mo-ore.
* 6 *
From sea I will steer cle-ear,
An’ stick to drinkin’ beer.