Interesting Facts about The Bosuns Alphabet
“Bosuns Alphabet” is a forebitter, sometimes used at the pumps. This version, which gives us Stan Hugill, comes from his friend Jack Birch of Plymouth.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456,457).
The Record of The Bosuns Alphabet
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 Bosuns Alphabet
A is for the Anchor that lies at our bow,
B is for the Bowsprit, an’ the jibs all lie low,
oh C is for the Caps’n we all run around,
D is for a Davits to low’r the boat down,
– sooo! merrily, so merrily, so merrily sail we,
– There’s no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea,
– Blow high or blow low! as the ship rolls along,
– Give a sailor his grog an’ there’s nothing goes wrong!
* 2 *
E is for the Earring when reefing we haul,
F is for the Fo’c’sle where the bullies do brawl,
Oh! G is for the Galley where the saltjunk smells strong,
H is for the Halyards we hoist with a song.
* 3 *
I is for the Eyebolt–no good for the feet,
J is for the Jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet,
Oh! K is for the Knightheads where the shantyman stands,
L is for the Leeside hard found by new hands.
* 4 *
M is for the Maindeck–as white as new snow,
N is for the Nigger gals in the land which we go,
Oh! O is for the Orlop, ‘neath the ‘tweendecks it lays,
P is for the Peter flown on sailin’ day.
* 5 *
Q is for the Quadrant–to thw wheel it lies near,
R is for the Rudder–it helps us to steer,
Oh! S is for the Sheerpole over which we must climb,
T is for the Topmen, ‘way aloft every time.
* 6 *
U is for Uniform–only worn aft,
V is for the Vangs running from the main gaff,
Ph! W is for the Water–we’re on pint an’ pound,
X marks the Spot where Ol’ Stormy wuz drowned.
* 7 *
Y is for Yardarm–needs a good sailorman,
Z is for Zoe–I’m her fancy man,
So this is the end of me bully ol’ song,
Heave away, bullies, oh, heave long an’ strong!