Interesting Facts about The Sailors Way
“The Sailors Way” it was capstan both outward and homeward bound song. According to J. Reed – Stan Hugill’s informant, this song also was sung at the pumps. Doerflinger is the only other collector who gives this song, but his version was as the “main-hatch song” – what British seamen would call a “forebitter”.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the pump shanty.
The source of The Sailors Way
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 387).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 387, 388).
The Record of this sea 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
The Sailors Way
We’ve courted gay Peruvian gals,
French gals an’ Chinee
Spanish gals an’ Dutch gals too,
an’ dainty Japanee.
To far Australia, Honolulu,
where th’ Hawaian maidens play
Just a diff’rent gal in ev’ry port,
– An’ that’s the Sailor’s way.
– Then it’s goodbye, mavourneen
– We’re off to see again
– Sailor Jack always comes back
– To the gal he’s left behind!
* 2 *
In calm or storm, in rain or shine,
The shellback doesn’t mind,
When on the ocean swell, he’ll work like hell,
For the gal he’s left behind.
He beats in north, he runs far south,
He doesn’t get much pay,
– An’ that’s the Sailor’s way.
* 3 *
Oh, shinin’ is the North Star,
As it hangs on our stabbud bow.
We’re homeward bound for Liverpool town,
An’ our hearts are in it now.
We’ve crossed the Line and the Gulf Stream,
Bin round by Table Bay,
We’ve rounded Cape Horn, we’re home again,
– An’ that’s the Sailor’s way.
* 4 *
We’ll get paid off inLiverpool,
An’ blow our money free,
We’ll eat an’ drink an’ have our fun;
An’ forget the ruddy sea,
Oh, Johnny’ll go to his sweet Marie,
An’ Pat with his ‘cushla play,
But I’ll get drunk an’ turn in me bunk,
– An’ that’s the Sailor’s way.