Interesting Facts about the De Sandy Boy
“De Sandy Boy” is a capstan shanty with pure “Negro” origin. The song comes from Sigurd Sternvall’s book, “Sang Under Segel” (1935). Stan Hugill tells us that the song was probably only heard on ships with chequer-board crews, and was originally a riverman’s song.
I will reconstruct this song as a capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 459).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 459).
The Record of the De Sandy Boy
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
De Sandy Boy
When I went down de river in the ole tobacco boat,
De boat upset away we went, right down the Old shark’s throat.
– Do come along, my sandy boy,
– Do come along, oh, do!
– What will Uncle Gabriel say?
– Oh, Sally, can’t you too?
* 2 *
When I went down to Amiack to her de people pray,
I laid my head on a white girl’s lap and my black girl fainted away.
* 3 *
When I went down to New Orleans to see de boatman row,
I set myself down on a rock an’ played the old banjo.
* 4 *
Then I went down to Alo, to buy a little goat,
The ole shark came behind us and swallowed down de boat.
* 5 *
Sally swam an’ so did I an’ thus to me did say,
‘You have lost my uncle’s boat, an’ for it you must pay.’
* 6 *
I lub de black gals an’ de white, an’ I lub all de rest,
I lub my black gal very well, but I lub myself de best.
* 7 *
Then I went down to New Virgie, to buy another boat,
An ole shark came before us an’ de boat run down his throat.
* 8 *
When I went to Uncle Gabriel, he asked me for de boat,
I said, ‘Ole nigger, it’s all right, it’s down de ole shark’s throat.’