Interesting Facts about the Whisky Johnny C
The “Whisky Johnny C” is a halyard one, usually used at either t’gallant or tops’l halyards, and from time to time it even was used at the capstan. An interesting fact about this beautiful shanty was that sailors used this shanty, at the mizen tops’l halyards – the hands in the case being strung out across the poop, the idea was to give the captain a gentle hint from the very nature of the words sung to issue a tot of rum.
Here is the list of versions given to us by Stan Hugill:
(a) The advantages and disadvantages of whisky drinking,
(b) Shanghaiing version,
(c) The limejuice skipper, and
(d) Crabfish, crayfish, or lobster version.
The text for this version Stan Hugill took from Mr. Jimmy Sexton, Arthur Spencer, and other seamen. This song will be reconstructed as the Halyard shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 274).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 277).
The Record of the Whisky Johnny C
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
Whisky Johnny C
There wuz a limejuice skipper of the name of Hogg,
– Whisky Johnny!
Once tried to stop his sailor’s grog,
– Whisky for my Johnny!
* 2 *
Which made the crew so weak an’ slack,
That the helmsman caught her flat aback.
* 3 *
An’ ever after so they say,
That crew grog three times a day.
* 4 *
So we’ll boost her up an’ bowl along,
An’ dring that skipper’s health in song.
* 5 *
We’ll keep closehauled without a breach,
With just a shiver in the weather leach.
* 6 *
Now if this ship wuz the ol’ James Baines,
That yard would never be lowered again.
* 7 *
The halyards they would racked be,
We’ll drive along through a big green sea.
* 8 *
Oh, hoist the yard from down below,
To the sheave-hole she must go.
* 9 *
Up aloft with taunted leach,
Hand over hand, lads, ye must reach.
* 10 *
Whisky made the Ol’ Man say,
One more pull, lads, than belay!