O Johnny Come To Hilo – Cecil Sharp

Interesting Facts about O Johnny Come To Hilo – Cecil Sharp

“Johnny Come Down To Hilo” shanty was given by many collectors: Sharp, Terry (who even make it popular in schools), and Doerflinger. The normal environment for “Johnny Come Down To Hilo” was the work at the capstan. This version comes from “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914). Sharp in his book on page 68 left us a short description of this shanty, says that:
“Versions of this chantey are given by Bullen (No. 10) and Tozer (No. 42). Presumably, Hilo is the seaport of that name on the east coast of Hawaii Island.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914) (1st ed: p 19).
The lyrics: “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914) (1st ed: p 19).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 267).

The Record of O Johnny Come To Hilo – Cecil Sharp

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

O Johnny Come To Hilo - music notation

The full lyrics

O Johnny Come To Hilo

O a poor old man came a riding by,
Says I: Old man, your horse will die,

– O, Johnny come to Hi-lo,
– O-poor old man.
– O-wake her,
– O
shake her,
– O-shake that girl with the blue dress on,
– O-Johnny come to Hi
lo,
– Poor old man.

Related to this sea shanty

Mochyn Du

Johnny Come Down To Hilo

The Gals O’ Chile

Johnny Come Down To Hilo

Interesting Facts about The Johnny Come Down To Hilo

“Johnny Come Down To Hilo” shanty was given by many collectors: Sharp, Terry (who even make it popular in schools), and Doerflinger. According to Stan Hugill tune is Irish in origin and the lyrics are a mixture of the Negro catch-phrases, lines from Negro minstrel ditties, and other bits and pieces from other shanties, e.g. “Poor Old Man” or “The gal With the Blue Dress”. The normal environment for “Johnny Come Down To Hilo” was the work at the capstan.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 266).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 266, 267).

The Record of The Johnny Come Down To Hilo

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

Johnny Come Down To Hilo - music notation

The full lyrics

Johnny Come Down To Hilo

I niver seed the like, since I bin born,
Ooh, a big buck nigger wid his sea boots on

– Oh, Johnny come down to Hilo,
– (Oh) poor old man!
– Oooh! wake her!
– Oh, shake her!
– Ooooh! wake that gal wid the blue dress on!
– When Johnny comes down to Hilo,
– (Oh) poor old man!

* 2 *

I love a little gal across the sea,
She’s a ‘Badian beauty, an’ she sez to me

Wuz ye never down in Mobile Bay,
A-screwin’ cotton for a dollar a day?

* 3 *

Ooh, there once wuz a nigger an’ his name wuz Uncle Ned,
An’ he had no yarns on the top o’ his head.

* 4 *

Did ye ever see the ol’ plantation boss,
An’ his long-tailed filly, an’ his big, black hoss?

* 5 *

Oh, go fetch me down me riding cane,
For I’m off to see me sweetheart Jane.

* 6 *

Ooh, Sally in the garden, pickin’ peas,
An’ the hair of her head hangin’ down to her knees.

Related to this sea shanty

The Gals O’ Chile

Larry Marr

The Lowlands Low (B)

Cant Ye Hilo? (short drag)

Interesting Facts about Young Girls Cant You Hilo

The “Cant Ye Hilo” is a hauling shanty. According to Stan Hugill, it has West Indian origin, and he gets this shanty from his West Indian friend Harding the Barbarian, Barbadian.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 265).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 265).

The Record of the Cant Ye Hilo?

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

Cant Ye Hilo - music notation

The full lyrics

Cant Ye Hilo?

Young gals love to dance wi’ Jack,
– Young gals can’t ye Hilo?
I have al-ways had me whack,
– Young gals can’t ye Hilo?

* 2 *

Youn gals, good gals, bad gals, O!
I will take ’em all in tow,

* 3 *

Love ’em both old an’ young,
Thin gals, fat gals, let ’em all come.

* 4 *

When I wuz a young man in me prime,
I chased them coloured gals all the time.

* 5 *

Dance, gals dance, till the break o’ day,
Let’s all dance our cares away.

* 6 *

High brown, dark brown, yeller gals, O!
Let’s all go on a big Hilo!

* 7 *

Young gals, young gals, young gals, O,
Rouse ‘er up an’ let’s Hilo!

Related to this sea shanty

Donkey Riding (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Young Girls Cant You Hilo? (short drag)

Young Girls Cant You Hilo? (short drag)

Interesting Facts about Young Girls Cant You Hilo

Here hauling shanty “Young Girls, Cant You Hilo?”, this particular version comes from Captain Robinson from his article in “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28). Judging from the shanties of Capitan Robinson, Stan Hugill claims that Captain John Robinson spent most of his time in the West Indian, Gulf Ports, and West Coast of South America Trades.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28) by Capitan Robinson (1st ed: p 264).
The lyrics: “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28) by Capitan Robinson (1st ed: p 264).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 264).

The Record of this sea shanty

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

Young Girls Cant You Hilo - music notation

The full lyrics

Young Girls, Cant You Hilo?

Young-girls, Young Girls, Young Girls, Ho!
– Young Girls, Can’t You Hilo!?
Young-girls, Young Girls, Young Girls, Ho!
– Young Girls, Can’t You Hilo!?

Related to this sea shanty

Donkey Riding (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor B (Stamp-n-go)

Toms Gone Away

Interesting Facts about the Toms Gone Away

This is the Toms Gone Away halyard shanty. Apart from Stan Hugill, we can find this song in the collection of Richard Runciman Terry. This version of the tune Stan Hugill has from a South Wales seamen who had served in the Bristol Channel copper ore trade. The words are the same as in Bill Dowling’s „Thoms Gone To Hilo”.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 264).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 264).

The Record of the Toms Gone Away

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

Toms Gone Away - music notation

The full lyrics

Toms Gone Away

Tommy’s gone, and I’ll go too,
– My Tommy’s gone away!
Oh, Tommy’s gone, and I’ll go too,
– My Tommy’s gone away!

* 2 *

Tommy’s gone to Liverpool,
Oh, Tommy’s gone to Liverpool,

* 3 *

Tommy’s gone to Mobile Bay,
Oh, Tommy’s gone to Mobile Bay,

* 4 *

Tom’s gone, what shall I do?
Oh, Tom’s gone, what shall I do?

* 5 *

Tommy fought at Trafalgar.
Oh, Tommy fought at Trafalgar.

* 6 *

The old Victory led the way.
The brave old Victory led the way.

* 7 *

Tommy’s gone for evermore.
Oh, Tommy’s gone for evermore.

Related to this sea shanty

Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

Ranzo Ray C

Hilo Johnny Brown

Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

Interesting Facts about the Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

The “Thoms Gone To Hilo” was a halyard shanty usually sang for raise a topsails yards, and one that was never liked by mats because sung by a good shantyman slowed down the pulls, due to the lethargic nature in which the shanties are sung. Difficult song for shantymen, however very popular with the crowd, especially for heavy yard lifts. This is the theme from the singing of Bill Dowling of Bootle.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 261).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 262, 263).

The Record of the Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

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

Toms Gone To Hilo - Bill Dowling - music notation

The full lyrics

Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

Tommy’s gone on a whalin’-ship,
– A-WAY you I-lo!
Oh, Tommy’s gone on a damn long trip.
– TOM’s gone to HI-lo!

* 2 *

He never kissed his gal goodbye,
He left her an’ he told her why.

* 3 *

She’d robbed him blind an’ left him broke,
He’d had enough, gave her the poke.

* 4 *

His half-pay went, it went like chaff,
She hung around for the other half.

* 5 *

She drank an’ boozed his pay away,
With her weather-eye on his next pay-day.

* 6 *

He shipped away around Cape Horn.
His clothes an’ boots wuz in the pawn.

* 7 *

This tart will get another flame,
Aye, she will git him just the same.

* 8 *

Steer clear, me boys, of flash chowlahs,
They’ll make ye wiser than ye are!

* 9 *

Oh, Tommy’s gone an’ left her flat,
Oh, Tommy’s gone an’ he won’t come back.

Related to this sea shanty

Toms Gone To Hilo – Terry

Ranzo Ray A

Ranzo Ray B

Toms Gone To Hilo – Terry

Interesting Facts about the Toms Gone To Hilo – Terry

The “Thoms Gone To Hilo” was a halyard shanty. This version comes from “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – by Richard Runciman Terry. Terry chose the version sung to him by Mr. George Vickers, who gives us verses about “The Victory” and “Trafalgar”, due to Terry never heard them sung by any other seaman.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – Richard Runciman Terry.
The lyrics: “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – Richard Runciman Terry.
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 261).

The Record of the Toms Gone To Hilo – Terry

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

Toms Gone To Hilo – Terry - music notation

The full lyrics

Toms Gone To Hilo

Tommy’s gone, and I’ll go too,
– Away down Hilo.
Oh, Tommy’s gone, and I’ll go too,
– Tom’s gone to Hilo

* 2 *

Tommy’s gone to Liverpool,
Oh, Tommy’s gone to Liverpool,

* 3 *

Tommy’s gone to Mobile Bay,
Oh, Tommy’s gone to Mobile Bay,

* 4 *

Tom’s gone, what shall I do?
Oh, Tom’s gone, what shall I do?

* 5 *

Tommy fought at Trafalgar.
Oh, Tommy fought at Trafalgar.

* 6 *

The old Victory led the way.
The brave old Victory led the way.

* 7 *

Tommy’s gone for evermore.
Oh, Tommy’s gone for evermore.

Related to this sea shanty

Tommys Gone To Hilo – Harlow

Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall version

Reuben Ranzo – Patterson version

Tommys Gone To Hilo – Harlow

Interesting Facts about the Tommys Gone To Hilo

The “Tommys Gone To Hilo” was a halyard shanty usually sang for raise a topsails yards. This song mentioned by Stan Hugill comes from “The Making Of A Sailor” by Frederick Pease Harlow (1928 1st ed: p 258, 259). Due to the different melody and the theme which “smack of “South Australia,” it is worth reconstructing it.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Making Of A Sailor” by Frederick Pease Harlow (1928 1st ed: p 258).
The lyrics: “The Making Of A Sailor” by Frederick Pease Harlow (1928 1st ed: p 258, 259).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 261).

The Record of the Tommys Gone To Hilo

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

Tommys Gone To Hilo - music notation

The full lyrics

Tommys Gone To Hilo

Oh, Tommy’s gone, what shall I do?
– A-way, Hilo!
Tommy’s gone and I’ll go too,
– Tommy’s gone to HI-lo!

* 2 *

To Hilo town, we’ll see her through,
For Tommy’s gone with a rulling crew.

* 3 *

Oh, Tommy’s gone from down below,
And up aloft this yard must go.

* 4 *

Oh, Tommy’s gone, we’ll ne’er say nay
Until the mate sing out, “Belay!”

* 5 *

I think I heard the old man say,
We’ll get our grog three times a day.

* 6 *

Oh, one more pull and that will do,
So let her roll and wet us through.

* 7 *

She’ll ship it green again to-day;
The mate is sore and hell’s to pay.

* 8 *

Oh, Tommy’s gone, what shall I do?
The mate is sore and so are you.

* 9 *

Oh, Tommy’s gone and left us, too;
We like the mate – Like hell we do!

Related to this sea shanty

Toms Gone To Hilo

Reuben Ranzo II – Doerflinger

Poor Old Reuben Ranzo

Toms Gone To Hilo

Interesting Facts about the Toms Gone To Hilo

The “Thoms Gone To Hilo” was a halyard shanty usually sang for raise a topsails yards, and one that was never liked by mats because sung by a good shantyman slowed down the pulls, due to the lethargic nature in which the shanties are sung. Difficult song for shantymen, however very popular with the crowd, especially for heavy yard lifts.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 261).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 261, 262).

The Record of the Toms Gone To Hilo

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

Toms Gone To Hilo - music notation

The full lyrics

Toms Gone To Hilo

Tommy’s gone, what shall I do?
– A-WAY you HELO-o-o!
Ooh! Tommy’s gone an’ I’ll go too,
– TOM’s gone to HI-lo!

* 2 *

Tommy’s gone to Hilo town,
Where all them gals they do come down.

* 3 *

Hilo town is in Peru,
It’s just the place for me an’ you.

* 4 *

Tommy’s gone to Liverpool,
To Liverpool, that packet school.

* 5 *

Yankee shellbacks ye’ll see there,
Wid red-topped boots an’ short cut hair.

* 6 *

He signed for two pound ten a month,
No more than two pound ten a month,

* 7 *

Tommy’s gone to Baltimore,
To dance upon a sandy floor.

* 8 *

Tommy’s gone to Mobile Bay,
A-screwin’ cotton all the day.

* 9 *

Tommy’s gone to fair Quebec,
A-stowin’ timber on the deck.

* 10 *

Tommy’s gone to Cally-o,
He won’t come back from there, I know.

* 11 *

Tommy’s gone to Vallipo,
He’ll dance them Spanish gals, y’know.

12 *

Tommy’s gone to ‘Frisco Bay
In a Cape Horner the other day.

13 *

Tommy’s gone to Pernambuck,
He’s gone to get a nip an’ tuck.

14 *

Tommy’s gone to Montreal,
In a packet ship wid sky’ls tall.

15 *

Tommy’s gone to Rye-o Grand,
He’s rollin’ in the yeller sand.

16 *

Tommy’s gone to to Singapore,
Oh, Tommy’s gone for evermore.

17 *

Oh, haul away, me bully boys.
Oh, haul away, kick up some noise.

18 *

Now hoist ‘er up an’ show ‘er clew,
Oh, we’re the bastards to kick ‘er though!

19 *

One more pull, lads, then belay,
Ooh! One more pull an’ then belay.

Related to this sea shanty

Shallow Brown – Harry Perry

Shiloh Brown

Reuben Ranzo – Hugills version

Shiloh Brown

Interesting Facts about the Shiloh Brown

Stan Hugill says “Shiloh Brown” is the link between “Shallow Brown” and “Tom’s Gone To Hilo”. These two stanzas of this beautiful song come from “Fenceless Meadows Tales Of The Sea” by Bill Adams (1923). At first, looks like “Shallow Brown”, but actually according to Stan Hugill is a variant of “Tom’s Gone To Hilo”.

Because both songs which the “Shiloh Brown” link, are halyard songs, I will reconstruct this song as a halyard shanty. The music used in my reconstruction is the conjunction of music from mentioned linked shanties and the halyard tempo used to it.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: notation or record doesn’t exist.
The lyrics: “Fenceless Meadows Tales Of The Sea” by Bill Adams (1923 page 86).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 260, 261).

The Record of Shiloh Brown

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 full lyrics

Shiloh Brown

Oh Johnny’s gone, what shall I do?
– Shil-loh, Shil-loh Brown.
Oh Johnny’s gone, what shall I do?
– Johnny’s gone to Rio

* 2 *

Where Johnny goes, I must go too,
– Shil-loh, Shil-loh Brown.
Where Johnny goes, I must go too,
– Johnny’s gone to Rio

Related to this sea shanty

Shallow Brown D

Blow Boys Blow (odd verses)

Oh Blow Ye Winds I Like To Hear You