Capstan Shanties

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.’

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Interesting Facts about the Billy Boy A

“Billy Boy A”, according to Richard Runciman Terry, is a Northumbrian capstan shanty. But for Stan Hugill, it had a wider field than Northumberland. He tells us that he met seamen from London, Liverpool, and South Wales who also knew about this shanty. The song has two main versions; the most popular one is in a minor key. Both versions come from shore songs. The song in is tipe usually used two shantyman, one for the questions and one for an answers.
I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 450).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 450, 451).

The Record of the Billy Boy A

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

Billy Boy A

Where have ye bin all the day, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Where have ye bin all the day, me Billy Boy?
I’ve bin walkin’ on the quay, With me charmin’ Nancy Lee,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 2 *

Is she fit to be yer wife, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Is she fit to be yer wife, me Billy Boy?
Aye, she’s fit to be me wife as the fork is to the knife.
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 3 *

Can she cook a bit o’ steak, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she cook a bit o’ steak, me Billy Boy?
She can cook a bit o’ steak aye an’ make a gridle cake,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 4 *

Can she make an Irish stew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she make an Irish stew, me Billy Boy?
She can make an Irish stew, aye, an’ singin’ hinnies too,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 5 *

Does she sleep close unto thee, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Does she sleep close unto thee, me Billy Boy?
Aye, she sleeps close unt me, like the bark is to the tree,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 6 *

Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she make a feather bed, me Billy Boy?
She can make a feather bed, fit for any sailor’s head,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 7 *

Can she have the dipsy lead, etc.

* 8 *

Can she strop a block, etc.

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Interesting Facts about the Samuel Hall

“Samuel Hall” is a beautiful capstan shanty, that was based in the old pirate song “Captain Kidd”. J. Reed of the ship “St. Mirren” gave Stan Hugill these verses. Also, Stan Hugill has referred, to that song was sung at the capstan, from the log of a sailing ship bound out to the West Indies.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 449).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 449, 450).

The Record of this 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

And the full lyrics

Samuel Hall

Oh, my name is Samuel Hall,
– As we sail! As we sail!
Oh, my name is Samuel Hall,
– As we sail!

My name is Samuel Hall, an’ I’m only one foot small,
Oh, that’s belter than bein’ tall,
– As we sail! As we sail!
Oh, that’s belter than bein’ tall,
– As we sail!

* 2 *

Oh, my name is Bully Bose,
– As we sail! As we sail!
Oh, my name is Bully Bose,
– As we sail!

My name is Bully Bose, an’ me gal is Sara Rose,
She’s got jiggers in her toes,
– As we sail! As we sail!
She’s got jiggers in her toes,
– As we sail!

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Interesting Facts about the John Browns Body

“John Browns Body” turned by sailors into capstan shanty. Originally shore song came from the American Civil War. Song was also sung on German ships.
I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 442).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 442, 443).

The Record of the John Browns Body

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

John Browns Body

John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship.
John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship.
John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship.
– As we go rollin’ home!

– Glory, glory, allelujah!
– Glory, glory, allelujah!
– Glory, glory, allelujah!
– As we go rollin’ home!

* 2 *

John Brown’s daughter is a maiden, so I’m told,
Her finger’s decked with diamonds and her toes in decked with gold,
John Brown’s daughter is a maiden, so I’m told.

* 3 *

John Brown’s daughter got a bunion on her toes,
John Brown’s daughter got a wart upon her nose,
John Brown’s daughter got a bunion on her toes.

* 4 *

John Brown’s daughter is a Yankee-doodle-do,
Her bows is fat, her stern is fat an’ so’s her ankles too,
John Brown’s daughter is a Yankee-doodle-do.

* 5 *

John Brown’s daughter chews terbaccy by the pound,
She’s the roughest, toughest son-o’-a-bitch that ye have ever found,
John Brown’s daughter chews terbaccy by the pound.

* 6 *

There’s my gal with a blue dress on,
Her catheads they would take an anchor weighin’ twenty ton,
There’s my gal with the blue dress on

* 7 *

John Brown’s daughter sat upon a grassy plot,
John Brown’s daughter likes her dinner served up hot,
John Brown’s daughter sat upon a grassy plot.

* 8 *

John Brown’s daughter drinks her whisky neat an’ straight,
John Brown’s daughter’s got a bowline round the mate,
John Brown’s daughter drinks her whisky neat an’ straight.

Related to this sea shanty

Jamboree (Whall)

Whoop Jamboree (Terry)

Whip Jamboree (Sharp)

Interesting Facts about the Old Swansea Town Once More ( A )

“Old Swansea Town Once More ( A )” – the famous Welsh Capstan song. Mr. Sullivan of Cardiff wrote and said to Stan Hugill that the song was always sung as the homeward bound in the little Welsh barques engaged in the Copper Ore Trade of the seventies and eighties years of the nineteenth century. Stan Hugill also informs us that Scottish and Irish versions of this song exist too.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty (used at the Halyard winch).

The source of the Old Swansea Town Once More ( A )

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 431).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 431, 432).

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

The full lyrics

Old Swansea Town Once More ( A )

Oh, the Lord made the bees, an’ the bees did make the honney,
But the Divil send the woman for to robus of our money,
On’ around Cape Horn will go!
An’ when me mony’s all spent ol’ gal,
We’ll go’ round Cape Horn for more, ol’ gal, ol’ gal!

– You’re the one I do adore,
– An’ all I’m livin’ in hopes to see,
– Is ol’ Swansea Town once more, ol’ gal, ol’ gal!
– You’re the one I do adore,
– So take me ropes an’ make me fast,
– In ol’ Swansea Town once more!

* 2 *

Now we’re outward bound around Cape Horn,
to Frisco an’ around,
I’ll send you letters when we get there,
an’ you’ll Know I’m homeward bound, old gal, old gal!

* 3 *

Now when we’re homeward bound, my dear,
I’ll bring you silks galore,
I’ll bring you jewels an’ rings an’ things,
An’ ye won’t wear the weeds no more, old gal, old gal!

* 4 *

Now when we’re leavin’ ‘Frisco Town,
Outside of the Golden Gate,
I’ll write my last letter to you, me dear,
Then ye won’t have so long to wait, old gal, old gal!

* 5 *

An’ when we’re leavin’ the old Fallerones,
Bound for my ol’ Swansea,
I know ye’ll pull, gal, on the string,
For to haul me in from sea, old gal, old gal!

* 6 *

An’ then when we’ve rounded old Cape Horn,
Climbin’ the hill for home,
Passed the Western Islands into the Bay,
We’ll have no further for to roam, old gal, old gal!

* 7 *

An’ then when we up Channel to sail,
I’ll pray that you’ll be there,
To wait, me dear, on Swansea pier,
My lovely presents for to share, old gal, old gal!

* 8 *

When Swansea Town we’re off once more,
We’ll see the lights so clear,
I know that’s Megan down on the pier,
In her dimity apron dear, old gal, old gal!

Related to this sea shanty

Paddy Signs On

Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland

Roller Bowler – Trinidad Version

Interesting Facts about the Sebastopol

“Sebastopol” is the song given to us, by Mansfield in his “Sailor’s Garland”. Song was popular during the Crimean War and was used by sailors at the capstan. This shanty is broken down of the original march, or rather of hours of the original version. Original march tune named “Loth-to-depart, played by drum and fife bands when a regiment goes abroad”.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 429).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 429).

The Record of the Sebastopol

You can also find this record on my YouTube channel here or listen directly 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

Sebastopol

The Crimea Was is over now,
– Sebastopol is taken!
The Crimea Was is over now,
– Sebastopol is taken!

– So sing cheer, boys, cheer,
– Sebastopol is taken!
– And sing cheer, boys, cheer,
– Old England gained the day!

* 2 *

The Russians the’ve bin put to flight,
The Russians the’ve bin put to flight,

* 3 *

Our soliders they are homeward bound,
Our soliders they are homeward bound.

* 4 *

We’ll drink a health to all our men,
We’ll drink a health to all our men.

Related to this sea shanty

Cant You Dance The Polka (C F Smith version)

The New York Gals

Doodle Let Me Go

Interesting Facts about the Halarvisa

“Halarvisa”, a fantastic Swedish Capstan shanty from “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 271, 272). This what Stan Hugill gave to us in his book is one to one copy of the Sternvall’s book. There is not much about this song in Sternvall’s book itself, except that it is a ‘hauling song, but Hugill denies it and tells us that form makes it obvious it is the capstan shanty.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The music: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 271, 272).
The lyrics: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935 (1st ed p 271, 272).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 426).

The Record of the Halarvisa

You can also find this record on my YouTube channel here or listen directly 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

Baltimore

En Sjöman seglar jorden runt.
– Kärre-värre-vitt, bom-bom!
Hans hemkomst är en glädjestund,
– Kärre-värre-vitt bom! Hurra så!

– Viktoria! Viktoria!
– Kärre-värre-vitt bom! Hurra så!
– Viktoria! Viktoria!
– Kärre-värre-vitt, bom-bom!

* 2 *

Vem älskar ej en ung sjöman!
Han rusar jämt i faran fram.

* 3 *

Såväl i mödan som i strid
i flickans famn han vilar sig.

* 4 *

En skräddare är en daglig gäst,
han fordrar mig för byx och väst.

Related to this sea shanty

Cant You Dance The Polka (C F Smith version)

The New York Gals

Doodle Let Me Go

Interesting Facts about the Pretoria

“Pretoria” is another shore song converted by sailors for use at the capstan. Was originating South Africa – Boer War, or even the Zulu War. Because of the obscenity of the song Stan Hugill “camouflaged” it for us.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

he music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 425).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 425).

The Record of the Pretoria

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

Pretoria

Oh, Kiss yer gall, say goodbye,
– An’ make fast the dinghy, an’ make fast the dinghy, an’ make fast the dinghy!
Kiss yer gall, say good-bye,
– An’ make fast the dinghy, make fast the dinghy, make fast the dinghy!

– We are marchin’ to Pretoria, oh, gloria, Victoria!
– We are marchin’ to Pretoria, oh, gloria, Victoria rules the waves!

Related to this sea shanty

Jamboree (Whall)

Whoop Jamboree (Terry)

Whip Jamboree (Sharp)

Interesting Facts about the Dixie

“Dixie” is one of what Stan Hugill calls, the ‘Geographical’ category of sea shanties, according to Capitan Whall song was used at the capstan. From Stan Hugill, we also can know that this was the famous Confederate song of the American Civil War.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 424).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 424, 425).

The Record of the Dixie

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

Dixie

I put me fist – in the mate’s ear’-ole, the mate he cried,
“Good bless me soul – Take it out!
– Take it out! Take it out! Take it out!
So I took me fist – from the chief mate ear, the mate he cried,
“Why thats darn queer, put it back”
– Put it back! Put it back! Put it back!

– Ooh! I wish I wuz in Dixie, Hooraw! Hooraw!
– In Dixie’s Land will take our stand,
– to live or die for Dixie,
– Hooraw! Hooraw! away down south in dixie!

Related to this sea shanty

Jamboree (Whall)

Whoop Jamboree (Terry)

Whip Jamboree (Sharp)