Capstan Shanties

Interesting Facts about the Baltimore

“Baltimore” capstan shanty is very popular on German sailing ships. Stan Hugill gave us some extra pieces of information, that song was sung at the capstan when making sail by leading the halyard to the capstan instead of hauling on the fall. Initially “Baltimore” was the shore song. Hugill tells us that the song was never heard in British ships. This helped him strengthen the theory that German and Scandinavian seamen adapted British and American shore songs and turned them into shanties long after the art of “inventing” shanties had died aboard British and American ships.
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 418).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 418).

The Record of the Baltimore

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

Baltimore

An’ I kissed her on the cheek, an’ the crew began to roar,
– Oh, ho! an’ up she goes! We’re bound for Baltimore!
An’ I kissed her on the cheek, an’ the crew began to roar,
– Oh, ho! an’ up she goes! We’re bound for Baltimore!

– No more … no more … no more!
– Oh, we’ll go to sea no more!
– As soon as we reach port tonight,
– We’re headin’ for the shore!

* 2 *

An’ he kissed her on the cheek, an’ the crew began to roar,
– Oh, ho! an’ …
An’ he kissed her on the face, an’ the crew began to roar
– Oh, ho! …

* 3 *

An’ he kissed her on the neck, …

* 4 *

An’ he kissed her on the lips, …

* 5 *

An’ he kissed her on the arms, …

* 6 *

An’ he kissed her on the legs, …

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 Passant Par Paris

“Passant Par Paris” – is the French capstan shanty, which has a place name for its title. According to Stan Hugill, this song comes from Armand Hayet’s book “Chansons De Bord” (Paris) – 1934. Hugill also tells us, that:
“It has typical French method of forming choruses, by all hands singing a repeat of the solo, and the second solo is used as the first solo of the following verse”
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 413).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 413).

The Record of the Passant Par Paris

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

Passant Par Paris

Passant par Paris, vidant ma boutelle,
– Passant par Paris, vidant ma boutelle,
Un de mes amis me dit a l’oreille,
– Bon! Bon! Bon!
Le bon vin m’endort, l’amour me raveille,
– Le bon vin m’endart, l’amour me reveill’encor!

* 2 *

Un de mes amis me dit a l’oreille,
– Un de mes amis me dit a l’oreille,
Jean, prends garde a toi, l’on courtis’ta belle,
– Bon! Bon! Bon!
Le bon vin m’endort, l’amour me raveille,
– Le bon vin m’endart, l’amour me reveill’encor!

* 3 *

Jeans, prends garde a toi, l’on courtis’ta belle,
– Jeans, prends …
Courtise qui voudra, je me fous bien d’elle!
– Bon! …
Le bon …
– Le bon …

* 4 *

Courtise qui voudra, je me fous bien d’elle,
– Courtise qui …
J’ai eu de son coeur, la fleur la plus belle,
– Bon! …
Le bon …
– Le bon …

* 5 *

J’ai eu de son coeur, la fleur la plus belle,
– J’ai eu de …
Dans un grand lit blanc, gree de dentelles,
– Bon! …
Le bon …
– Le bon …

* 6 *

Dans un grand lit blanc, gree de dentelles,
– Dans un …
J’ai eu trois garcons, tous trois capitaines,
– Bon! …

* 7 *

J’ai eu trois garcons, tous trois capitaines,
– J’ai eu …
L’un est a Bordeaux, l’autre a La Rochelle,
– Bon! …

* 8 *

L’un est a Bordeaux, l’autre a La Rochelle,
– L’un est …
Le plus jeune a Paris, courtisant les belles,
– Bon! …

* 9 *

Le plus jeune a Paris, courtisant les belles,
– Le plus …
Et le pere est ici, qui hal’ sur la fircelle,
– Bon! …

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 Banks O Newfnland

“The Banks O Newfnland” as described by Stan Hugill, capstan shanty comes from his friend “Scottie” of Port Adelaide. He tells to Hugill that he heard this song when young sung at the capstan with all the twiddles and quavers seamen of the old school would adorn this type of song with.
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 412).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 412).

The Record of The Banks O Newfnland

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

The Banks O Newfnland

Ye ramblin’ boys o’ Liverpool, Ye sailorman beware,
when jiz go in a Yankee pocket ship, no dungaree jumpers wear,
Buut have a monkey jacket all up to your command,
For there blown some cold nor’-westers on the Banks of Newf’nland,

– We’ll wash her an’ we’ll scrub ‘er down, wid holystone an’ sand,
– An’ we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks an’ the Banks o’ Newf’n’land.

* 2 *

We had one Lynch from Ballynahinch, Spud Murphy an’ Paddy Malone.
‘Twas in the winter of seventy-three those sea-boys suffered sore,
They popped their clothes in Liverpool, sold them all out of hand,
Not thinkin’ of the cold nor’winds on the Banks o’ Newf’n’land.

* 3 *

We had a lady fair aboard, Bridget Reilly wuz ‘er name,
To her I promised marriage an’ on me she had a claim.
She tore up her red flannel petticoats, me bhoys, to make mittens for our hands,
For she could not see them sea-boys freeze, on the Banks o’ Newf’n’land.

* 4 *

I dreamt a dream the other night, an’ t’ought I wuz at home,
I dreamt that me an’ my Judee, wuz back in Dublin Town,
We both wuz in the ale-house wi’ a jug o’ beer in hand,
But when I woke I found no jokes on the Banks o’ Newf’n’land.

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 Liverpool Judies C

“The Liverpool Judies C” was a very favorite capstan shanty among Liverpool ships. According to Stan Hugill, the song was of Irish origin and was sung in imitative Irish or Liverpool-Irish fashion. The song probably dates from the forties of the nineteenth century, since was popular in the Western Ocean Packets. Tune of this version Stan Hugill has from Spike Senit.
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 402).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 402,403).

The Record of The Liverpool Judies 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

And the full lyrics

The Liverpool Judies C

When I wuz a youngster I sailed wid de rest,
On a Liverpool packet bound out ter the West,
We anchored wan day in the harbour o’ Cork,
Den we put art ter sea fer de port o’ New York.
– Singin’ ho! ro! ho! bullies ho!
– Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow.

* 2 *

For forty-two days we wuz hungry an’ sore,
Oh, the winds wuz agin us, the gales they did roar,
Off Battery Point we did anchor at last,
Wid our jibboom hove in an’ the canvas all fast.

* 3 *

De boardin’ house masters wuz off in a trice,
A-shoutin’ an’ promisin’ all that wuz nice,
An’ one fat ol’ crimp he got cottoned to me,
Sez he, ‘Yer a fool, lad, ter follow the sea.’

* 4 *

Sez, he ‘There’s a job as is waitin’ for you,
Wid lashin’s o’ liquor an’ beggar-all to do.’
Sez he, ‘What d’yer say, lad, will you jump her too?
Sez I, “Ye ol’ bastard, I’m damned if I do.’

* 5 *

But the best o’ intentions dey niver gits far,
After forty-two days at the door of a bar,
I tossed off me liquor an’ what d’yer think?
Why the lousy ol’ bastard had drugs in me drink.

* 6 *

The next I remembers I woke in the morn,
On a tree-skys’l yarder bound south round Cape Horn,
Wid an ol’ suit of oilskins an’ two pair of sox,
An’ a bloomin’ big head, an’ a sea-chest o’ rocks.

* 7 *

Now all ye young sailors take a warnin’ by me,
Keep a watch on yer drinks whin de liquor is free,
An’ pay no attintion to runner or whore,
Or yer head’ll be thick an’ yer throat’ll be sore.

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Away Susanna!

Cant Ye Dance The Polka B

Interesting Facts about The Liverpool Judies B

“The Liverpool Judies B” was a very favorite capstan shanty among Liverpool ships. According to Stan Hugill, the song was of Irish origin and was sung in imitative Irish or Liverpool-Irish fashion. The song probably dates from the forties of the nineteenth century, since was popular in the Western Ocean Packets. This version has the same theme but a different tune. Stan Hugill took this version from the old Irish seamen Paddy Delaney.
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 402).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 401,402).

The Record of The Liverpool Judies B

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

The Liverpool Judies B

From Liverpool to ‘Frisco a rovin’ I went,
For to stay in that country wuz my good intent,
But drinkin’ strong whisky like other damn fools,
Oh I soon got transported back to Liverpool,
– Singin’ ro-o-o-oll, o-o-o-oll, roll, bullies, roll!
– Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

* 2 *

A smart Yankee packet lies out in the Bay,
A-waitin’ a fair wind to get under way,
With all of her sailors so sick and sore,
They’d drunk all their limejuice and can’t git no more.

* 3 *

Oh, here comes the in a hell of a stew,
He’s lookin’ for graft for us sailors to do,
Oh, it’s ‘Fore tops’l halyards!’ he loudly does roar,
An’ it’s lay along Paddy, ye son-o’ -a-whore!

* 4 *

One night off Cape Horn I shall never forget,
‘Tis oft-times I sighs when I think o’ it yet,
She was roundin’ Cape Horn with her main-skys’l’set,
She was roundin’ Cape Horn wid us all wringin’ wet.

* 5 *

An’ now we are haulin’ ‘way on to the Line,
When I thinks o’ it now, sure, we had a good time,
Them sea-boys box-haulin’ their yards all around,
For to beat that flash packet called the ‘Thatcher MacGawn’

* 6 *

An’ now we’ve arrived in the Bramleymoor Dock,
An’ all them flash judies on the pierhead do flock,
The barrel’s run dry an’ our five quid advance,
An’ I guess it’s high timefor to git up an’ dance.

* 7 *

Here’s a health to the Capen wherever he may be,
A friend to the sailor on land or on sea,
But as for the chief mate, the dirty ol’ brute,
We hope when he dies straight to hell he’ll skyhoot.

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 Liverpool Judies A

“The Liverpool Judies A” was a very favorite capstan shanty among Liverpool ships. According to Stan Hugill, the song was of Irish origin and was sung in imitative Irish or Liverpool-Irish fashion. The song probably dates from the forties of the nineteenth century, since was popular in the Western Ocean Packets.
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 401).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 401,402).

The Record of The Liverpool Judies 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

The Liverpool Judies A

From Liverpool to ‘Frisco a rovin’ I went,
For to stay in that country wuz my good intent,
But drinkin’ strong whisky like other damn fools,
Oh I soon got transported back to Liverpool,
– Singin’ ro-o-o-oll, o-o-o-oll, roll, bullies, roll!
– Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

* 2 *

A smart Yankee packet lies out in the Bay,
A-waitin’ a fair wind to get under way,
With all of her sailors so sick and sore,
They’d drunk all their limejuice and can’t git no more.

* 3 *

Oh, here comes the in a hell of a stew,
He’s lookin’ for graft for us sailors to do,
Oh, it’s ‘Fore tops’l halyards!’ he loudly does roar,
An’ it’s lay along Paddy, ye son-o’ -a-whore!

* 4 *

One night off Cape Horn I shall never forget,
‘Tis oft-times I sighs when I think o’ it yet,
She was roundin’ Cape Horn with her main-skys’l’set,
She was roundin’ Cape Horn wid us all wringin’ wet.

* 5 *

An’ now we are haulin’ ‘way on to the Line,
When I thinks o’ it now, sure, we had a good time,
Them sea-boys box-haulin’ their yards all around,
For to beat that flash packet called the ‘Thatcher MacGawn’

* 6 *

An’ now we’ve arrived in the Bramleymoor Dock,
An’ all them flash judies on the pierhead do flock,
The barrel’s run dry an’ our five quid advance,
An’ I guess it’s high timefor to git up an’ dance.

* 7 *

Here’s a health to the Capen wherever he may be,
A friend to the sailor on land or on sea,
But as for the chief mate, the dirty ol’ brute,
We hope when he dies straight to hell he’ll skyhoot.

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Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Interesting Facts about the La Margot

“La Margot” is the French capstan song. We can find this song in Hayet’s book “Chansons de bord” (1927). Stan Hugill tells us that Hayet under the name “Le Bihor”, in his other book “Chansons de la voile ‘Sans Voile'” gives uncamouflaged French matelot’s version, which has bawdy refrains and solos.
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 398).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 398 – 400).

The Record of the La Margot

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

La Margot

Margot qu’est venue biribi,
Un’ jolie p’tit navire,
Et c’est moi qui suis biribi,
le captaine qui levi!
C’est mes mains qui sont,
De belle façon,
Les gabiers d’en-poin-tu-res
– Oh! hisse! et ho!
– Tire larigot,
– Hourra pour la Margot!

* 2 *

Margot qu’est venue biribi,
Un’ jolie p’tite énglise,
Et c’est moi qui suis biribi,
La recteur qui baptise!
C’est mes main qui sont,
De belle façon,
Les donners d’eau bénite.

* 3 *

Margot qu’est venue biribi,
Un’ jolie p’tite auberge,
Et c’est moi qui suis biribi,
La patron qui s’oberge!
C’est mes main qui sont,
De belle façon,
Las servants qui caressant.

* 4 *

Margot qu’est venue biribi,
La Reine de l’Empire!
Et c’est moi qui suis biribi,
Le Roi qu’elle soupire!
C’est mes main qui sont,
De belle façon,
Les pages qui lévent as jupe.

* 5 *

C’est Margot qu’aura biribi,
Mes louis, mes pistoles,
Mais si c’est moi qu’ai biribi,
Le malqui ne s’envole!
C’est mes mains qui s’ront,
De belle façon,
Un collier pour sa gorge!

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 Miss Lucy Long

“Miss Lucy Long”, a capstan song, is a shanty with West Indian connections. Broomielaw is a major thoroughfare in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It runs adjacent to the River Clyde, on its north bank. Glasgow’s first quay was built at Brumelaw in 1688. Glasgow had strong connections with the Jamaica Sugar and Rum Trade. Stan Hugill picked up this song in Trinidad in 1931.
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 396).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 395,396).

The Record of the Miss Lucy Long

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

Miss Lucy Long

Was ye niver down on the Broomilow, where the Yankee boys are all the go?
– Timme way-hay-hay-hay-hay-, hay-hay-ah-ha, me Johnny boys, ah-ha!
– Why don’t ye try for to ring Miss Lucy Long?

* 2 *

Oh, as I walking out one mornin’ fair, to view the view an’ take the air,

* 3 *

Oh, ’twas there I met Miss Lucy fair, ’twas there we met I do declare,

* 4 *

I raised me hat an’ said ‘how do?’ Sez she, ‘I will not walk with you.’

* 5 *

‘You dirty sailor, ye stinl o’ tar, besides I know what sailors are!’

* 6 *

‘My friend’s a Mate in the Blackball Line, in his uniform and his peak-cap fine.’

* 7 *

I left her there upon the quay, that gal she were too smart for me!

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Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Interesting Facts about the Southern Ladies

“Southern Ladies”, the capstan shanty presented by stan Hugill on the occasion of the shanties category with mentioning the name “Julia” inside the lyrics. The song was taken by Stan Hugill from “The Journal of the Folk Song Society (Vol 5. No.20 – November 1916). The described song was Noted by Cecil Sharp, sung by Mr. Harry Perry (Aged 61), on board the American liner, S.S. St. Paul, on July 21st, 1915. According to Cecil Sharp: “This is a negro labor-song of the cotton stations of the Southern States which, like many others of a similar character, has been commandeered by the sailor”. The lyrics and melody are identical to Journal, but on Journal we can find another two variants of the melody to 2nd verse.
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 395).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 395).

The Record of the Southern Ladies

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

Southern Ladies

What will you fetch your Julia?
– Way-ay-ay-ay!
What will you fetch your Julia?
– She’s a southern lady – all the day.

* 2 *

One bottle of Florida water,
– Way-ay-ay-ay!
One bottle of Florida water,
– She’s a southern lady – all the day.

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 Spanish Ladies B

“Spanish Ladies B” old naval song, only Stan Hugill and Captain Frank Shaw were writers who call this beautiful song the shanty. Hugill tells us it was the homeward-bound song sung at the capstan. This song has two tunes – the livelier and faster one being preferred by the later generation of sailing-ship men. Both versions including this one, Stan Hugill took from his father.
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 386).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 386).

The Record of the Spanish Ladies B

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

Spanish Ladies B

Farewell an’ adieu to you fair Spanish ladies,
Farewell an’ adieu to you ladies of Spain,
For we’ve received orders for to sail for old England,
An’ hope very shortly to see you again.

– We’ll rant an’ we’ll roar, like true British sailors,
– We’ll rant an’ we’ll rave across the salt seas,
– Till we strike soundings in the Channel of Old England,
– From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-four leagues.

* 2 *

We hove our ship to, with the wind at sou’west, boys,
We hove our ship to for to take soundings clear.
In fifty-five fathoms with a fine sandy bottom,
We filled our maintops’l, up Channel did steer.

* 3 *

The first land we made was a point called the Deadman,
Next Ramshead off Plymouth, Start, Portland, and Wight.
We sailed then by Beachie, by Fairlee and Dover,
Then bore straight away for the South Foreland Light.

* 4 *

Now the signal was made for the Grand Fleet to anchor,
We clewed up our tops’ls, stuck out tacks and sheets.
We stood by our stoppers, we brailed in our spankers,
And anchored ahead of the noblest of fleets.

* 5 *

Let every man here drink up his full bumper,
Let every man here drink up his full bowl,
And let us be jolly and drown melancholy,
Drink a health to each jovial an’ true-hearted soul.

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C