Interesting Facts about the Essequibo River
“Essequibo River” – is a halyard shanty, picked by Stan Hugill from his friend Harding Barbadian. West Indian or Guyana origin, the song is challenging for the shantyman because it is full of yells and hitches. Hugill claims it was the first time in print in his “Shanties from the Seven Seas”. Stan also tells us that this song is the same as many West Indian shanties that were picked from ashore and were used for jobs where pulling was involved.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the halyard shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 416).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 416, 417).
The Record of the Essequibo River
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

And the full lyrics
Essequibo River
Essequibo River is the Queen o’ Rivers all!
– BUDdy tanna na we are SOMEbody O!
Essequibo River is the Queen o’ Rivers all!
– BUDdy tanna na we are SOMEbody O!
Somebody O, Johnny, somebody O!
– BUDdy tanna na we are SOMEbody O!
* 2 *
Essequibo Capen is the King o’ Capens aaall!
– Buddy …
Essequibo Capen is the King o’ Capens aaall!
– Buddy …
Somebody …
– Buddy …
* 3 *
Essequibo Bosun is the King o’ Bosuns aaall!
* 4 *
Essequibo sailors is the Chief o’ Sailors aaall!
* 5 *
Essequibo Sallies is the Queen o’ Saillies aaall!
* 6 *
Essequibo maidens is the Queen o’ Maidens aaall!