Interesting Facts about the Mainsail Haul – Sampson
“Mainsail Haul – Sampson”, comes from “The Seven Seas Shanty Book” by John Sampson (1927 p 66, 67). According to John Sampson, it was a fairly modern sea song well known to old sailing ship men, although the words will vary considerably, as is usual with all songs that are not learned from and sung from a printed edition. Sampson says it is not of the music hall type of sea song but bears the mark of its nautical origin on every line.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “The Seven Seas Shanty Book” by John Sampson (1927 p 66, 67).
The lyrics: “The Seven Seas Shanty Book” by John Sampson (1927 p 66, 67).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 324).
The Record of the Mainsail Haul – Sampson
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
Mainsail Haul – Sampson
One morning in the month of cold december,
And most of my money being spent,
What day it was I scarcely can remember,
But down to the Shipping Office went
Now that day there’d been a great demand for sailors,
For India, China and for France,
And I shipped on board of the “Oxford”
And went upon the spree with my advance
– Stand Back, take in the slack,
– Bear away your capstan, heave a pawl, heave a pawl,
– ‘Bount ship, stations boys, be handy,
– Rise tacks, sheets and mainsa’l haul.
* 2 *
Now most of our sailors had been drinking,
And Some had been heavy on the boose,
So I sat upon my chest a-quietly thinking,
Whether to turn in and have a snooze,
When I heard a voice above me loudly calling,
I listened and I heard the voice again,
‘Twas the chief mate at the fo’c’sle door a-bawling,
“All hands lay aft and answer to your name”.
* 3 *
Now when I arrived upon the quarter-deck,
Such a sight I’d never seen before,
There were scally wages from every tribe and nation,
It made my poor heart both sick and sore,
Than I wished that I was back at the “Jolly Sailors”,
Along with Irish Kate a-drinking beer,
Oh Kitty, my poor heart is breaking,
I went for’ard for to shed a pitful tear.
* 4 *
Now in my chest I knew I had a bottle,
For I saw the boarding master put it there,
So I thought I would go and wet my throttle,
Just to drive away my sorrow and my care,
Then I fell down on my knees like thunder,
A groping like a pig around a trough,
When to my astonishment and wonder,
It was bottle of medicine for a cough.