Jerzy Brzezinski, Author at Traditional Sea Shanties

Cheerily Man – Sharp

March 17, 2023February 13, 2023 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Cheerily Man – Sharp

“Cheerily Man – Sharp” version from “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp, and it is a halyard shanty (originally in Sharp’s book “Pulling Chantey”), it is probably the most primitive, and one of the oldest of all these heaving and hauling songs of the sea. This Sharp version is interesting in terms of having only three solos and three refrains. Unfortunately Sharp gives us only one verse of this beautiful song. Song was sung to Cecil Sharp by Mr. John Short, at Watched. Mr. Short says to Sharp, that was the first chantey he learned and he thought it must have been the “first chantey ever invented”.
This song will be reconstructed as the halyard long haul shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914) (1st ed: p 50).
The lyrics: English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914) (1st ed: p 50).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 315).

The Record of the Cheerily Man – Sharp

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Cheerily Man

O………. o ly i o
– Cheerily man!
Walk him up o…………,
– Cheerily man!
O………. o ly i o, O………. o ly i o,
– Cheerily man!

Related to this sea shanty

Rise Me Up From Down Below

Cheerily Man – Catting the anchor shanty

March 17, 2023February 9, 2023 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Cheerily Man – Catting the anchor shanty

“Cheerily Man” is probably the most primitive, and one of the oldest of all these heaving and hauling songs of the sea. This song was really obscene, so most of the verses were camouflaged. This particular version is described by Stan Hugill in the description of the “Cheerily Man”, but the description tells us that this song can be used for more jobs than only halyards, namely can be also used for cutting the anchor.
Cutting an anchor is the job that happened when the anchor was about the water line beside the board, so sailors connected a line (tackle blocks) between the ring on the head of the anchor and the cat head, and catting started when they start pulling the rope, and at the same time loose bit the anchor chain used for raise anchor up to the board.
This heavy job required long steady pulls, so this shanty is a perfect fit for this job. The word “cheerily” means “quickly” and was often used at capstan and halyards when exhorting the men to harder efforts. “Cheerily” when used in shanties has to mean that heave or haul is slow and steady.
This song will be reconstructed as the “Catting the anchor shanty” (this work is definitely a long-haul shanty). For this reconstruction, I will use only additional six verses from page 314 of the “Shanties from the Seven Seas”, which according to Stan Hugill sang specifically only for catting the anchor.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 313).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 314).

The Record of the Cheerily Man – Catting the anchor shanty

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

Cheerily Man – Catting the anchor Shanty

Haul all together, aye yeo,
– Cheerily man!
Haul for good weather, aye yeo – o,
– Cheerily man!
She’s light as a feather, aye yeo – o,
– Cheerily man!
Oh, hauley aye yeo!
– Cheerily man!

* 2 *

To the cathead,
We’ll shift the dead,
She’s heavy as lead.
Oh, hauley …

* 3 *

We’ll haul again,
With might an’ main,
Pay out more chain.

* 4 *

Chain stopper bring,
Pass through the ring,
Oh, haul an’ sing.

* 5 *

She’s up to the sheave,
At the cathead we’ll leave,
Soon the tackle unreeve,

* 6 *

Pull one an’ all,
On the ol’ catfall,
An’ then belay all!

Related to this sea shanty

John Dameray (Silsbee)

Johnny Come-A-Long

Cheerily Man – Halyard

June 16, 2023February 6, 2023 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Cheerily Man – Halyard

“Cheerily Man – Halyard” is a halyard shanty, it is probably the most primitive, and one of the oldest of all these heaving and hauling songs of the sea. This song was really obscene, so most of the verses were camouflaged. The word “cheerily” means “quickly” and was often used at capstan and halyards when exhorting the men to harder efforts. “Cheerily” when used in shanties has to mean that heave or haul is slow and steady, this gives us the intuitive answer to the tempo which definitely suits long haul halyard shanty. This song will be reconstructed as the halyard long haul shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 310).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 310, 311).

The Record of the Cheerily Man – Halyard

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Cheerily Man

Oh, Nancy Dawson, aye yeo,
– Cheerily man!
So sez the Bosun, aye yeo-o,
– Cheerily man!
Has flannel drawers on, aye yeo-o,
– Cheerily man!
Oh, hauley aye yeo!
– Cheerily man!

* 2 *

Oh, Sally Racket, aye yeo!
In her pea-jacket, aye yeo!
Shipped in a packet, aye yeo!

* 3 *

Oh, Flora Fernanah
Slipped on a banana,
Can’t play the pianner.

* 4 *

Oh, Susie Skinner
Sez she’s beginner,
Prefers it to dinner.

* 5 *

Oh, Missus Duckett,
She’s kicked the bucket,
Oh, nip an’ tuck it.

* 6 *

Oh, Polly Riddle
Has a hole in the middle
Of her new fiddle.

* 7 *

Oh, Betty Baker,
Kissed by a Quaker,
Oh, rock ‘n’ shake ‘er.

* 8 *

Oh, Jenny Walker,
Kissed by a hawker,
He wuz a corker.

* 9 *

Oh, Jennifer Bell,
She drinks as well,
An’ never will tell.

* 10 *

Oh, Katie Karson
Slept with a parson,
She’s got a bar-son.

* 11 *

Oh, Polly Hawkins
In her white stockings
Has done some rockin’s.

* 12 *

Ooh, haughty cocks,
Ooh, split the blocks,
Ooh, stretch her luff.

* 13 *

Ooh, rouse ‘n’ shake ‘er.
Ooh, shake ‘n’ wake ‘er.
Ooh, go we’ll make ‘er.

* 14 *

Avast there, avast!
Make the fall fast,
Make it well fast.

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Blow Ye Winds (extra verses)

Off To The Southard Well Go

June 11, 2023February 3, 2023 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Off To The Southard Well Go

“As Off To The Southard We Go” according to Stan Hugill, is another variation of the “Heave Away Cheerily O!”, he took it from the “Journal Of The Folk Song Society” No. 20 (November 1916; page 309, 310). In the Journal original title of this song is “Off To The Southard We’ll Go” and it is described as the “hauling chanty”. This shanty has been sung by shantyman Mr. John Perring, at Dartmouth on February 1912 (Noted by H. E. Piggott). Stan Hugill gives us only one verse of this song, fortunately, I had access to the original Journal which contains the six verses, so I have a chance to reconstruct this song in full length. I will reconstruct this song as the anchor capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Journal Of The Folk Song Society” No. 20 (November 1916; page 309, 310).
The lyrics: “Journal Of The Folk Song Society” No. 20 (November 1916; page 309, 310).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 311).

The Record of the Off To The Southard Well Go

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

Off To The Southard Well Go

Oh our ship is refited, we are going for a trip,
– Cheer’ly my lads, let her go…
We’ve a jolly fine crew and a jolly fine ship,
– As off to the south’ard we’ll go…

* 2 *

So set all your sails, it’s a favouring wind,
Say good-bye to the friends you are leaving behind.

* 3 *

We shall soon clear the Channel and be well off the land;
Then the stewart will serve out the grog to each man.

* 4 *

But the wind is increasing, we must reduce sail.
Take a reef in the topsails and weather the gale.

* 5 *

Under low canvas four days we have been.
Four passing ships homeward bound we have seen.

* 6 *

But now we will set all our sails again.
And think nothing more of the wind and the rain.

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Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Norwegian)

Horraw For The Blackball Line

Heave Away Cheerily O!

March 17, 2023January 30, 2023 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Heave Away Cheerily O!

“Heave Away Cheerily O!” is another song from Stan Hugill’s book from the group containing the word “heave”. Stan Hugill learned his version from Geordie’s shipmate in the twenties. Stan Hugill doesn’t declare where this song has been used on board, however, tells us about Davis & Tozer, and also Harlow’s versions which were anchor songs or capstan/pumps songs. Additional information we know from Stan Hugill is that Geordie, his friend, always sang the word “cheerily” as “cherrilye” in accordance with typical sailor usage when singing any word ending with “-ly”. I reconstruct this song as the pump shanty.

One more issue is that Stan Hugill suggested that this song was published in the first edition of the Davis & Tozer book, which is not true because I have a copy of this book and in the first set of 24 shanties from the book this shanty not appeared. I cannot confirm that song is on the second edition, but also I have the third edition of the book which contains a set of 50 shanties, and the song appear on page 28 and 29, the third edition has been in print in 1906.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 310).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 310, 311).

The Record of the Heave Away Cheerily O!

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

Heave Away Cheerily O!

Oh, the wind is free, an’ we’re bound for sea,
– Heave away cheerilye o-ho!
The lassies are wavin’ to you an’ to me..
– As off to the south’ard we go-o,
– As off to the south’ard we go!

– Sing, me lads, cheeri-lye,
– Heave, me lads, cheeri-lye,
– Heave away cheeri-lye o-ho!
– For the gold that we prize an’ for sunnier skies,
– Away to the south’ard we go!

* 2 *

They’re soutin’ goodbye, an’ the gals they do cry,
So sing up, me darlin’s, an’ wipe yer tears dry,

* 3 *

They’re cryin’, ‘Come back, my dear John an’ dear Jack,
There’s water in front an’ no door at the back.’

* 4 *

But we’re Johnnies bold who can work for our gold,
An’ stand a good dousin’ wi’out catchin’ cold.

* 5 *

The gals to the south’ard are bully an’ fine,
When we gits to Melbourne we’ll have a good time.

* 6 *

A John he is true to his Sal an’ his Sue,
So long as he’s able to keep ’em in view.

* 7 *

Then sing, “Goodbye, Sally, your wonders I’ll tell,
But when with another, I’ll wish you in hell.”

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

As Off to The South’ard We Go – Brake Windlass Shanty

June 11, 2023January 27, 2023 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the As Off to The South’ard We Go

“As Off to The Southard We Go” is the shanty from the “Sailors’ songs or “Chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (3rd Edition) – (1906), mentioned by Stan Hugill on the occasion of the description of the “Heave Away Cheerily O!” shanty. I have to mention Stan Hugill’s description that which says the song is the capstan song, but In Ferris & Tozer’s book is in the chapter “Anchor Songs”. So what is the difference? Well, the “capstan songs” is a more general term, due to the capstan can be used in many more sailor works than raise the anchor.

Raising the anchor happens only on the main capstan, and the tempo is quite established. But the term anchor song is ambiguous as well because the anchor can be raised by using the capstan or brake windlass. The song can be sung for both due to the usual timing used for brake-windlass work being 2/4 or 6/8 (same as on the music notation), so I decided to reconstruct this song as the Brake Windlass Shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Sailors’ songs or “Chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (3rd Edition) – (1906).
The lyrics: “Sailors’ songs or “Chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (3rd Edition) – (1906).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 309, 310).

The Record of the As Off to The South’ard We Go

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

As Off to The South’ard We Go

The wind is free, and we’re bound for sea,
– Heave away cheerily, ho, oh!
The lasses are waving to you and to me,
– As off to the South’ard we go-o,
– As off to the South’ard we go.

– Sing, my lads, cheerily,
– Heave, my lads, cheerily,
– Heave away cheerily, oh, oh!
– For gold that we prize, And sunier skies,
– Away to the South’ard we go.

* 2 *

They’re waving good-bye and with tearful eye,
Sing cheer up, my darling, and wipe your tears dry,

* 3 *

They’re crying “Come back, my dear Tom or dear Jack!
There’s water in front, and no door at the back,

* 4 *

We want sailors bold, who can work for their gold,
And stand a good wetting without catching cold,

* 5 *

The sailor is true to his Sal or his Sue,
As long as he’s able to keep ’em in view,

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Heave Away Boys Heave Away B

March 17, 2023January 23, 2023 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Heave Away Boys Heave Away B

“Heave Away Boys Heave Away B” is another song on Stan Hugill’s “Shanties From The Seven Seas” which opens the family of the shanties with the word “heave”, strangely, this song is not for to heave, it is the opposite, it is a hauling song specifically is the halyard shanty. This version is specifically of the West Indies origin. Stan Hugill learned this song from a shantyman known as Harry Lauder of St. Lucia, B.W.I in 1932. Stan Hugill has a theory that the word “heave” on this song comes from, that son in the past was used by Negro Stevedoores of Mobile Bay and elsewhere at the jackscrews when stowing cotton aboard the old wooden ships.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 309).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 309).

The Record of the Heave Away Boys Heave Away B

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Heave Away Boys Heave Away B

Oh! I love the sailor an’ the sailor loves me,
– HE–AVE away, boys, HE-AVE away!
He comes to my window ev’ry mornin’ at three,
– HE–AVEaway, boys, HE–AVE away!

* 2 *

An’ when we are happy we tolls de ol’bell,
An’ when we is sad yiz can all go to hell,

* 3 *

I love fat widow down Rotherhithe way,
An’ when she next sees me, to me she will say.

* 4 *

‘Oh, Johnny I’ve waited for you to return,
So I can spend freely all the money you earn.’

* 5 *

Oh, roll the ol’ chariot, long may she roll,
Why don’t the mate shake ‘er, oh, God damn his soul.

* 6 *

Oh, heave away, bullies, for ol’ Mobile Bay,
The gals there will help yer to spend yer pay-day.

* 7 *

When I was a young man an’ well in me prime,
I’d love all them yaller gals two at a time.

* 8 *

But now I’m an old man an, don’t feel so young,
I’d sooner have lashin’s an’ lashin’s o’ rum!

* 9 *

Oh, I,ve got a sister nine foot tall,
She sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the hall.

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