Paddy Doyles Boots A

Interesting Facts about Paddy Doyles Boots A

In Stan Hugill’s book “Paddy Doyles Boots A”, it is the song that opening family of the songs is with the word “Paddy”. This song is dedicated to one and only one job, namely: that of getting the mass of sodden, bellying canvas rolled up to the yard, also called “Tossing the bunt”. When singing this chant the haul usually came on the word “BOOTS!” Usually, there was no need for more than two or three verses at most. Probably this is only one type of shanty that is sung whole by all-hands (no shantymen or crew part only).
Stan Hugill tells us that are three patterns in this song this is the first one: A wild “way-ay-ay” followed by “We’ll pay Paddy Doyle”, etc …, the haul coming on either the final grounted-out YA!, on BOOTS!, or on both.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 331).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 331 – 333).

The Record of the Paddy Doyles Boots A

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Paddy Doyles Boots A - Tossing The Bunt Shanty

The musical notation

Paddy Doyles Boots A - music notation

The full lyrics

Paddy Doyles Boots A

Timme way ay-ay-ay high YA!
We’ll pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

* 2 *

Timme way ay-ay-ay high YA!
We’ll all throw muck at the COOK!

* 3 *

Timme way ay-ay-ay high YA!
We’ll all drink whisky an’ GIN!

* 4 *

Timme way ay-ay-ay high YA!
We’ll all shave under the CHIN!

* 5 *

Timme way ay-ay-ay high YA!
Who stole poor Paddy Doyle’s BOOTS!

* 6 *

Timme way ay-ay-ay high YA!
We’ll bouse her up an’ be DONE!

* 7 *

Timme way ay-ay-ay high YA!
We’ll bouse her up an’ be DONE!

* 8 *

Timme way ay-ay-ay high YA!
The dirty ol, man’s on the POOP!

Related to this sea shanty

Donkey Riding (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Young Girls Cant You Hilo? (short drag)

Skonnert Albertina – Sternvall

Interesting Facts about the Albertina – Sternvall

“Albertina” a Swedish pumping shanty, it has a melody very close to the opening line of a popular wartime song: “Twas down on the Rhine I met Rosalein”. Stan Hugill gives us two versions of this shanty, this one is the version from “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935). Sternvall in his book says the song was equally popular among all Scandinavian seamen. Probably of Norwegian origin, because always been done to sing in an imitation of the Norwegian dialect. Sternvall also says the song was always used at the capstan. I will again reconstruct this song as the pump shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 329).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 329).

The Record of the Albertina – Sternvall

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.

Skonnert Albertina (Sternvall) - Pump Shanty

The musical notation

Skonnert Albertina - Sternvall - music notation

The full lyrics

Skonnert Albertina – Sternvall

Det skull byggas ett skepp uti,
Norden, Albertina skall vara skeppets namn,
– Pumpa läns!
Albertina, låt så vara, Albertina, ingen fara,
Albertina skall vara skeppets namn,
– Pumpa läns!

– Albertina, låt så vara, Albertina, ingen fara,
– Albertina skall vara skeppets namn,

– Pumpa läns!

* 2 *

Och det skeppet är allaredan lastat,
Det är lastat med bayerskt öl och vin

Det är lastat, låt så vara, Det är lastat, ingen fara,
Det är lastat med bayerskt öl och vin,

* 3 *

Men på straden står Ingrid och gråter,
Ja, hon gråter efter lilla vännen sin,
Ja, hon gråter, låt så vara, ja hon gråter, men vi fara
Ja, hon gråter efter lilla vännen sin,

* 4 *

Varje sjömans grav är redan gräven,
Den är gräven i böljorna de blå
Den är gräven, låt så vara, den är gräven, men vi fara,
Den är gräven i böljorna de blå

* 5 *

Och min gravskrift den är redan skriven,
Den är skriven på finaste latin
Den är skriven, låt så vara, den är skriven, men vi fara,
Den är skriven på finaste latin

Related to this sea shanty

Heave Away Cheerily O!

Leave Her Johnny Leave Her – Pumps

Across The Rockies

Albertina – Glyn Davies

Interesting Facts about the Albertina – Glyn Davies

“Albertina” a Swedish pumping shanty, it has a melody very close to the opening line of a popular wartime song: “Twas down on the Rhine I met Rosalein”. Stan Hugill gives us two versions of this shanty, this one is the version from Professor J. Glyn Davies who gave to Stan the English translation of this song. The comment from stan Hugill says that the melody is German; shanty of Norwegian origin; taken down by J. Glyn Davies, October 1926, Uppsala. The song will be reconstructed by myself as the pump shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 326).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 326, 327).

The Record of the Albertina – Glyn Davies

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.

Albertina (Glyn Davies) - Pump Shanty

The musical notation

Albertina - Glyn Davies - music notation

The full lyrics

Albertina – Glyn Davies

A schooner was built on the baltic,
Albertina that was the schooner’s name,
– Pump ‘er dry!
Albertina, says the story, Albertina’s all for glory,
Albertina that was the schooner’s name,
– Pump ‘er dry!

– Albertina, says the story, Albertina’s all for glory,
– Albertina thet was the schooner’s name,

* 2 *

And the schooner is painted already,
She is painted in red and violet —

She is painted, says the story, she is painted all for glory,
She is painted in red and violet.

* 3 *

And the schooner is rigged out already,
She is rigged out with tackles and with ropes,
She is rigged out, says the story, she is rigged out all for glory,
She is rigged out with tackles and with ropes.

* 4 *

And the schooner is charted already,
She is charted from Hamubrg, homeward bound,
She is chartered, says the story, she is chartered all for glory,
She is chartered from Hamburg, homeward bound.

* 5 *

And the schooner is loaded already,
She is loaded with beer and with wine,
She is loaded, says the story, she is loaded all for glory,
She is loaded with beer and with wine.

* 6 *

And the schooner is sailing already,
She is sailing away from sight of land,
She is sailing, says the story, she is sailing for glory,
She is sailing away from sight of land.

* 7 *

And the schooner is stranded already,
She is stranded between surf and reef,
She is stranded, says the story, she is stranded all for glory,
She is stranded between the surf and reef.

* 8 *

And her headstone is written already,
It is written in Latin and in gold,
It is written, says the story, it is written all for glory,
It is written in Latin and in gold.

* 9 *

On the beach there is a maiden weeping,
She is weeping for her lover on the beach,
She is weeping, says the story, she is weeping all for glory,
She is weeping for her lover on the beach.

Related to this sea shanty

Heave Away Cheerily O!

Leave Her Johnny Leave Her – Pumps

Across The Rockies

Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland

Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland

“Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland” version, known also under the title “Mainsail Haul”. This song was both capstan shanty and forebitter. According to Stan Hugill, the “Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland” version was very popular, especially in Liverpool ships. Stan Hugill tells us also that this song has two forms, the eight-line verse (forebitter form), and the four-line verse (shanty pattern). We do have here the last variation of this song gives us a capstan shanty from “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951). So, Dick Maitland was the singer who sang this great song to Doerflinger. His performances are very authentic because he was a regular American shantyman, late of Sailors, Snug Harbour.

The following song will be reconstructed as a Capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 326).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 326, 327).

Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland

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Paddy Get Back (Dick Maitland) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

Paddy Get Back - Dick Maitland - music notation

The full lyrics

Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland

I was broke and out of a job in the city of London,
I went down the Shad wall Docks to get a ship,

– Paddy get back,
– take in the slack,
– Heave away your capstan, heave a pawl, heave a pawl!
– ‘Bount ship and stations, there, be handy
– Rise tacks ‘n’ sheets ‘n’ mains’l haul!

* 2 *

There was a Yankee ship a-laying in the basin;
Shipping master told me she was going to New York!

* 3 *

If ever I get my hands on that shipping master,
I will murder him if it’s the last thing that I do!

* 4 *

When the pilot left the ship the catain told us,
We were bound around Cape Horn to Callao!

* 5 *

And he said that she was hot and still a-heating,
And the best thing we could do was watch our step.

* 6 *

Now the mate and second mate belonged to Boston,
And the captain belonged in Bangor down in Maine.

* 7 *

Tree of them were rough an’ tumble fighters,
When not fighting among themselves they fought with us.

* 8 *

Oh, they called us out one night to reef the tops’ls,
There was belayin’-pins a-flyin’ round the deck.

* 9 *

We came on deck and went to set the tops’ls,
Not a man among the bunch could sing a song.

* 10 *

Oh, the mate he grabbed a-hold of me by the collar,
‘If you don’t sing a song I’ll break your blasted neck!’

11 *

I got up and gave them a verse of Reuben Ranzo,
Oh, the answer that I got would make you sick.

12 *

It was three long months before we got to Callao,
And the ship she was a-called a floating hell.

13 *

We filled up there at Callao with saltpetre,
And then back again around Cape Horn!

Related to this sea shanty

Bound for the Rio Grande (Cecil Sharp Version)

Rio Grande (B)

A Long Time Ago (C)

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

Interesting Facts about The Liverpool Song

“Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter”, also called “Mainsail Haul”, was both capstan shanty and forebitter, according to Stan Hugill very popular, especially in Liverpool ships. Stan Hugill knows this song directly from two people, from his father and from John Connolly (Liverpool-Irish sailing-ship man), whose last line sang in fashion you can find in the lyrics. Stan Hugill tells us also that this song have two forms, the eight-line verse (forebitter form), and four-line verse (shanty pattern). This song will be reconstructed as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 325).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 321, 322).

The Record of The Liverpool Song

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.

Paddy Lay Back - Forebitter

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

Twas a cold an’ dreary mornin’ in December,
An’ all of me money being spent,
What day it was I hardly can remember,
So down to the shippin’ office went,

Now that day there wuz a great demand for sailors,
For the Colonies and for ‘Frisco and for France,
And I shipped aboard a Limey barque the Hotspur,
And went upon the spree with my advance.

– Paddy, lay Back! Take in yer slack!
– Hands to man the capstan – heave a pawl – heave a pawl!
– ‘Bount ship, stations, boys, be handy!
– Raise tacks, sheets an’ mains’l haul!

* 2 *

Now I joined her on a cold December mornin’,
A-frappin’ o’ me flippers to keep me warm.
With the south cone a-hoisted as a warnin’,
To stand by comin’ o’ a storm.

Now some of out fellers had bin drinkin’,
An’ I mmeself wuz heavy on the booze;
An’ I wuz on me ol’ sea-chest a-thinkin’
I’d turn into me bunk an’ have a snooze.

* 3 *

I woke up in the mornin’ sick an’ sore,
An’ knew I wuz outward bound again;
When I heard a voice a-bawlin’ at the door,
‘Lay aft, men, an’ answer to yer names!’

‘Twas on the quarterdeck where first I saw ’em,
Such an ugly bunch I’d niver seen afore;
For there wuz a bum an’ stiff from every quarter,
An’ it made me poor ol’ heart fell sick an’ sore.

* 4 *

There wuz Spaniards an’ Dutchmen an ‘Roosians,
An’ Johnny Crappos jist across from France;
An’ most o’ ’em couldn’t speak a word o’ English,
But answered to the name of ‘Minth’s Advance’.

I wist I wuz in the ‘Jolly Sailor’,
Along with Irish Kate a-drinkin’ beer;
An’ then I thought what jolly chaps were sailors,
An’ with me flipper I wiped away a tear.

* 5 *

I knew in me box I had a bottle,
By the boardin’-master ’twas put there;
An’ I wanted something for to wet me throttle,
Somethin’ for to drive away dull care.

So down upon me knees I went like thunder,
Put me hand into the bottom o’ the box,
An, what wuz me great surprise an’ wonder’
Found only a bottle o’ medicine for the pox.

Related to this Forebitter

The Fishes – W. B. Whall

Ratcliffe Highway

Blow Ye Winds in the Morning

Paddy Mustert An

Interesting Facts about the Paddy Mustert An

“Paddy Mustert An” is the German version of the “Mainsail Haul” or “Paddy Lay, Back” song, in some versions used as forebitter or sea song, and in other cases sung as the capstan shanty. This time the song was used as the capstan shanty. Here is the original song with the melody from “Knurrhahn – Seemannslieder und Shanties”. This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

Special thanks to Gunnar Wiegand who help me with the German language pronunciation of this beautiful song.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Knurrhahn – Seemannslieder und Shanties” Richard Baltzer; Klaus Prigge; Knurrhahn-Lotsen-Gesangverein (1936) (Zweiter Band, page 78, 79, and 80).
The lyrics: “Knurrhahn – Seemannslieder und Shanties” Richard Baltzer; Klaus Prigge; Knurrhahn-Lotsen-Gesangverein (1936) (Zweiter Band, page 78, 79, and 80).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 324).

The Record of the Paddy Mustert An

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.

Paddy Mustert An - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

Paddy Mustert An - music notation one

Paddy Mustert An - music notation two

And the full lyrics

Paddy Mustert An

Ein kalter frost’ ger Morgen im Dezember
Und all mein Geld, zum Deubel ging es hin.
Wo dies geschah, ich nicht mehr so erinner’.
Zum Heu’rbüro ich dann hinunterging

An jenem Tag man fragte viel nach Sailors
für Frisco, Santos, Hongkong und fürs Kap
Jch ging jedoch auf einen Whaler
und holte mir sofort das Handgeld ab.

– Paddy gah los! Hal in de Los’!
– Dreih doch rüm dat Gangspill hiev een Pall, hiev een Pall,
– Los as he geiht! Up Station, Jungs! In ‘ne Gang!
– Hal Gei! Schoot un Grootmarsfall!

* 2 *

Am nächsten Morgen kam ich dann zum Schiffe,
Jch fühlt es noch verdammt schwer auf der Brust.
Und setzt im Foksel mich auf meine Kiste
Und törnte ein zu einen kleinen Mulch.

Gerade jetzt hört ich ‘ne Stimme schreien,
Jch horchte, – da vernahm ich sie nochmal.
Es war der Maat mit seinem Preien:
Hört, Jungs, mal her, nun ruf ich eure Nam’n.

* 3 *

Als ich nun ankam auf dem Achterdecke,
So etwas sah mein Auge nie vorher,
Da gab es Menschen jeder Farb’ und Rasse,
Mein armes Herz das wurde krank und schwer.

Jch wünschte mich zurück nach “Jolly sailors”,
Een Pott mit Bier, ne sööte Deern in Arm.
Bei dem Gedanken wollt mein Herz mir brechen,
Jch ging nach vorn, zu stillen meinen Gram.

* 4 *

Jn meiner Kiste hatt ich eine Flasche,
Zum Abscheid gab der Schlafbaas sie mir mit.
Jch dacht’ mit Schnaps zu netzen meine Kehle,
Und damit werden Sorg und Plagen quitt.

Zum Teufel auch! Jch denk mich laust der Affe,
Als ich die Buddel setzte an und trank,
Jch war erstaunt und ganz verdattert
Als “Hustensaft” ich in der Buddel fand.

Related to this sea shanty

Were All Bound To Go – Sampson

Were All Bound To Go – Davis And Tozer

Heave Away – Colcord

Paddy Signs On

Interesting Facts about the Paddy Signs On

“Paddy Signs On”, as Stan Hugill mentioned, comes from “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 372, 373). As Sternvall says his version of the song is the capstan shanty (gångspelsshanty). According to Sternvall, the text recorded by sea captain A. M. Säfström on board the bark ship “Trio” of Tvedestrand in 1913. Sung by captain N. A. Knafe. In this somewhat altered and polished form, it is known from the 1890s. This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 372, 373).
The lyrics: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935 (1st ed p 372 – 374).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 324).

The Record of the Paddy Signs On

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.

Paddy Signs On - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

Paddy Signs On - music notation part 1
Paddy Signs On - music notation part 2

And the full lyrics

Paddy Signs On

A cold and frosty morning of December,
when all of my money I had spent,
where it went to, now I don’t remember –
I down to a shippingoffice went.

That day there was a great demand for sailors
for Frisco and for London and for France,
so I shipped aboard of a whaler
and went off to cash my advance.

– Paddy, lay back,
– take in your slack,
– rally around the capstan!
– Heave a pawl, heave a pawl!
– Ready about your stations, boys, be handy,
– raise tacks, sheets and mainsail haul!

* 2 *

Next morning I came aboard the vessel,
afeeling very heavy on the booze.
I sat upon my chest aquitely thinking,
I turned in my bunk to have a snooze.

Just then I thought I heard a voice calling.
I listened and I heard it again.
It was the mate, a louding hauling:
“Say boys, answer to your names!”

Related to this sea shanty

Were All Bound To Go – Sampson

Were All Bound To Go – Davis And Tozer

Heave Away – Colcord

The Liverpool Song

Interesting Facts about The Liverpool Song

“The Liverpool Song” is the forebitter from “Capstan Bars” by David William Bone (1931 p 139 – 144). Bone itself calls it “fo’ cas’le ditty”, which he says was popular in 1900, and he says he has not heard it since then. It recites the trials of going to sea again after dubious long-shore living, and the chorus is a merry jingle of the order given in putting a ship about.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Capstan Bars” by David William Bone (1931 p 140).
The lyrics: “Capstan Bars” by David William Bone (1931 p 139 – 144).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 324).

The Record of The Liverpool Song

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 Liverpool Song - Forebitter

The musical notation

The Liverpool Song

The full lyrics

The Liverpool Song

‘Twas in th’ cold month of December,
When all my money I had spent.
I shipped in the Clipper ship ‘Defender’
An’ away to the west-ard I went.

– An’ it is ‘Get ye back.’ Ho!
– Take in y’ er slack.’ Ho!’
– Heave-away th’ capstan. Heave a pawl. Heave a pawl!
– ‘Bount ship: stations, boys, be handy.
– Raise tacks, sheets, an’ mains’l haul!

* 2 *

I joined on the bitter winter’s morning.
A-frappin’ of my arms to keep me warm.
An’ th’ south cone a-hoisted for a warnin’
To stand by th’ makin, of a storm.

* 3 *

It was then that voice I heard a voice a-callin’
I listened and I heard it again.
‘Twas th’ mate at th’ fo’cas’le door a-bawlin’.
‘Oh, lay aft an’ answer t’ y’er name’.

* 4 *

An’ when I arrived upon th’ quarter-deck,
Great Heavens, what a sight was there to see:
There were remnants of nearly every nation.
An’ I tell you th’ sight did sicken me.

* 5 *

There was Dutchmen an’ Roosians an’ Spanish,
An’ Johnny Creepaws straight across from France,
An’ most didn’t know a word of English,
But answered to the name o’ ‘Month’s Advance’.

* 6 *

Now in my chest I had a bottle.
I saw my boarding master put it there.
So I slipped off th’ deck t’ wet my throttle,
To drown off my sorrow an’ my care.

* 7 *

And there I did suffer disappointment.
When I rummaged with my hand among my traps.
There was nought but a box of greasy ointment,
An’ a bottle ‘o Riga Balsam for the chaps.

Related to this Forebitter

Oh Susanna

Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

Roll Alabama Roll! – Forebitter

Mainsail Haul – Sampson

Interesting Facts about the Mainsail Haul – Sampson

“Mainsail Haul – Sampson”, comes from “The Seven Seas Shanty Book” by John Sampson (1927 p 66, 67). According to John Sampson, it was a fairly modern sea song well known to old sailing ship men, although the words will vary considerably, as is usual with all songs that are not learned from and sung from a printed edition. Sampson says it is not of the music hall type of sea song but bears the mark of its nautical origin on every line.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Seven Seas Shanty Book” by John Sampson (1927 p 66, 67).
The lyrics: “The Seven Seas Shanty Book” by John Sampson (1927 p 66, 67).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 324).

The Record of the Mainsail Haul – Sampson

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.

Mainsail Haul - Sampson - Sea Song

The musical notation

Mainsail Haul - Sampson - music notation

The full lyrics

Mainsail Haul – Sampson

One morning in the month of cold december,
And most of my money being spent,
What day it was I scarcely can remember,
But down to the Shipping Office went

Now that day there’d been a great demand for sailors,
For India, China and for France,
And I shipped on board of the “Oxford”
And went upon the spree with my advance

– Stand Back, take in the slack,
– Bear away your capstan, heave a pawl, heave a pawl,
– ‘Bount ship, stations boys, be handy,
– Rise tacks, sheets and mainsa’l haul.

* 2 *

Now most of our sailors had been drinking,
And Some had been heavy on the boose,
So I sat upon my chest a-quietly thinking,
Whether to turn in and have a snooze,

When I heard a voice above me loudly calling,
I listened and I heard the voice again,
‘Twas the chief mate at the fo’c’sle door a-bawling,
“All hands lay aft and answer to your name”.

* 3 *

Now when I arrived upon the quarter-deck,
Such a sight I’d never seen before,
There were scally wages from every tribe and nation,
It made my poor heart both sick and sore,

Than I wished that I was back at the “Jolly Sailors”,
Along with Irish Kate a-drinking beer,
Oh Kitty, my poor heart is breaking,
I went for’ard for to shed a pitful tear.

* 4 *

Now in my chest I knew I had a bottle,
For I saw the boarding master put it there,
So I thought I would go and wet my throttle,
Just to drive away my sorrow and my care,

Then I fell down on my knees like thunder,
A groping like a pig around a trough,
When to my astonishment and wonder,
It was bottle of medicine for a cough.

Related to this song

Roll The Woodpile Down – Shore Song

Timber Drogher’s Shanty

Hieland Laddie (B) – stevedores chant

Paddy Lay Back

Interesting Facts about the Yeo Heave Ho!

“Paddy Lay Back”, also called “Mainsail Haul”, was both capstan shanty and forebitter, according to Stan Hugill very popular, especially in Liverpool ships. Stan Hugill knows this song directly from two people, his father and John Connolly (Liverpool-Irish sailing-ship man), whose last line sang in fashion you can find in the lyrics. Stan Hugill tells us also that this song has two forms, the eight-line verse (forebitter form), and four-line verse (shanty pattern). This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 321).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 321 – 323).

The Record of the Yeo Heave Ho!

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.

Paddy, Lay Back - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

Paddy, Lay Back

Twas a cold an’ dreary mornin’ in December, (December),
An’ all of me money it wuz spent, (it wuz spent)
Where it went to Lord I can’t remember, (remember),
So down to the shippin’ of fice went, (went, went),

– Paddy, lay Back (Paddy, lay Back)!
– Take in yer slack (take in yer slack)!
– Take a turn around the capstan – heave a pawl – heave a pawl!
– ‘Bount ship, stations, boys, be handy (be handy)!
– For we’re bound for Valaparaiser ’round the Horn!

* 2 *

That day there wuz a great demand for sailors (for sailors),
For the Colonies and for ‘Frisco and for France (an’ for France),
So I shipped aboard a Limey barque the Hotspur (Hotspur),
An’ got paralitic drunk on my advance (‘vance, ‘vance),

* 3 *

Now I joined her on a cold December mornin’,
A-frappin’ o’ me flippers to keep me warm.
With the south cone a-hoisted as a warnin’,
To stand by comin’ o’ a storm.

* 4 *

Now some of out fellers had bin drinkin’,
An’ I mmeself wuz heavy on the booze;
An’ I wuz on me ol’ sea-chest a-thinkin’
I’d turn into me bunk an’ have a snooze.

* 5 *

I woke up in the mornin’ sick an’ sore,
An’ knew I wuz outward bound again;
When I heard a voice a-bawlin’ at the door,
‘Lay aft, men, an’ answer to yer names!’

* 6 *

‘Twas on the quarterdeck where first I saw ’em,
Such an ugly bunch I’d niver seen afore;
For there wuz a bum an’ stiff from every quarter,
An’ it made me poor ol’ heart fell sick an’ sore.

* 7 *

There wuz Spaniards an’ Dutchmen an ‘Roosians,
An’ Johnny Crappos jist across from France;
An’ most o’ ’em couldn’t speak a word o’ English,
But answered to the name of ‘Minth’s Advance’.

* 8 *

I wist I wuz in the ‘Jolly Sailor’,
Along with Irish Kate a-drinkin’ beer;
An’ then I thought what jolly chaps were sailors,
An’ with me flipper I wiped away a tear.

* 9 *

I knew in me box I had a bottle,
By the boardin’-master ’twas put there;
An’ I wanted something for to wet me throttle,
Somethin’ for to drive away dull care.

* 10 *

So down upon me knees I went like thunder,
Put me hand into the bottom o’ the box,
An, what wuz me great surprise an’ wonder’
Found only a bottle o’ medicine for the pox.

* 11 *

I felt that I should skip an’ join another,
‘Twas plain that I had joined a lousy bitch;
But the chances wuz that I might join a worser,
An, we might git through the voyage without a hitch.

* 12 *

I axed the mate a-which a-watch wuz mine-O,
Sez he, ‘I’ll soon pick out a-which is which’;
An’ he blowed me down an’ kicked me hard a-stern-O,
Callin’ me a lousy, dirty son-o’-a-bitch.

* 13 *

Now we singled upan’ got the tugs alongside,
They towed us through the locks an’ out to sea;
With half the crew a-pukin’ o’er the ship’s side,
An’ the bloody fun that started sickened me.

* 14 *

Although me poor ol’ head wuz all a-jumpin’,
We had to loose her rags the followin’ morn;
I dreamt the boardin’-master I wuz thumpin’,
When I found out he’d sent me around the Horn.

* 15 *

I swore I would become a beachie-comber,
An, niver go to sea no ruddy more;
For niver did I want to be a roamer,
I’d shanghai the boardin’-master an’ stay ashore.

* 16 *

But when we got to bully ol’ Vallapariser,
In the Bay we dropped our mudhook far from shore;
The Ol’ Man he refused ter let us raise ‘er,
An’ he stopped the boardin’-master comin’ aboard.

* 17 *

I quickly made me mind up that I’d jump ‘er,
I’d leave the beggar an’ git a job ashore;
I swum across the Bay an’ left ‘er,
An’ in the English Bar I found a whore.

* 18 *

But Jimmy Wop he knew a thing or two, boys,
An, soon he’d shipped me outward bound again;
On a Limey to the Chinchas for guanner, boys,
An’ soon wuz I a-roarin’ this refrain.

* 19*

So there wuz I once more again at sea, boys,
The same ol’ ruddy business over again;
Oh, stamp the caps’n tound an’ make some noise, boys,
An’ sing again this dear ol’ sweet refrain.

Related to this sea shanty

Off To The Southard Well Go

Yeo Heave Ho!

Yo Heave Ho! – Smith