Interesting Facts about the Whisky Johnny D
The “Whisky Johnny D” is a halyard one, usually used at either t’gallant or tops’l halyards, and from time to time it even was used at the capstan.
Here is the list of versions given to us by Stan Hugill:
(a) The advantages and disadvantages of whisky drinking,
(b) Shanghaiing version,
(c) The limejuice skipper, and
(d) Crabfish, crayfish, or lobster version.
This song will be reconstructed as the Halyard shanty. Some collectors claim that this song is very antique, and is dating back to Elizabethanian times.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 274).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 277).
The Record of the Whisky Johnny D
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
Whisky Johnny D
‘Mornin’, Mister Fisherman’; ‘Good mornin’, ‘sez he,
– Whisky Johnny!
‘Have ye got a crabfish ye can sell to me?’
Whisky for my Johnny!
* 2 *
‘Oh, yes,’ sez he, ‘I have got two,
One for me an’ the other for you.’
* 3 *
I took the crabfish home, but I couldn’t find a plate.
I put it in the place where me Missus always ate.
* 4 *
Early next mornin’ as ye may guess,
The Missus got up for an early breakfast.
* 5 *
The Missus gave a howl, a groan, and a shout,
She danced around the room with the crabfish on her snout.
* 6 *
I grabbed a scrubber, the Missus grabbed a broom,
We chased the bloomin’ crayfish round an’ round the room.
* 7 *
We hit it on the head, we hit it on the side,
We hit the bloomin’ crabfish, until the blighter died.
* 8 *
The end of my story – the moral is this,
Always put yer spacs on before ye eat yer fish.