Capstan Shanties

Cant Ye Dance The Polka B

The Liverpool Packet B

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Liverpool Packet B

“The Liverpool Packet B”, the song was given with different titles and versions, Stan Hugill tells us:
“As early Naval ballad it was called “La Pique” or “The Flash Frigate”, as a sailor John’s forebitter it was named “The Dreadnaught”, and as a capstan shanty its title, usually, was “The Liverpool Packet” or “Bound Away!” but quite often the last three titles were used indiscriminately.”
This more popular version in the later day of the sails is the version close allied to the shore song “Villikins and his Dinah”.
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 469).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 468).

The Record of The Liverpool Packet B

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

The Liverpool Packet B

At the Liverpool docks at the break o’ the day.
I saw a flash packet bound west’ard away,
She was bound to the west’-ard where the wild waters flow,
– She’s a Liverpool packet, oh Lord let ‘er go!

– Bound away! Bound away!
– Through the ice, sleet an’ snow,
– She’s a Liverpool packet,
– Oh, Lord let ‘er go!

* 2 *

Oh, the time of her sailin’ is now drawin’ night,
Stand by all ye lubbera we’ll wish ye goodbye;
A pair o’ clean heels to ye now we will show,
– She’s a Liverpool packet, oh Lord let ‘er go!

* 3 *

An’ now we are leavin’ the sweet Salthouse Docks,
All the boys an’ the gals on the pierhead do flock;
All the boys an’ the gals are all shoutin’ hurro!
– She’s a Liverpool packet, oh Lord let ‘er go!

* 4 *

An’ now we are waitin’ in the Mersey so free,
Awaitin’ the tugboat to tow us to sea;
An’ we’ll round the Rock Light where the salt tides do flow,
– She’s a Liverpool packet, oh Lord let ‘er go!

* 5 *

Sheet home yer big tops’ls, haul aft yer jib sheets,
Sheet home fore ‘n’ aft, boys, ye’ll git no darn sleep;
Come aft now, God damn yets, come aft one an’ all,
– For over yer heads flies the bonnie BlackBall!

* 6 *

An’ now we are howlin’ down the wild Irish Sea,
Our passangers are merry, an’ their hearts full of glee;
Our sailors like tigers they walk to an’ fro,
– She’s a Liverpool packet, oh Lord let ‘er go!

* 7 *

An’ now we are sailin’ the Atlantic so wide,
An’ the hands are now ordered to scrub the ship’s side;
Now then, holystones boyos, the bosun do bawl,
– For Kickin’ Jack Williams commands this Blackball!

* 8 *

An’ now we are off the Banks o’ Newf’n’land,
Where the bottom’s all fishes an’ fine yeller sand;
An’ the fishes they sing at they swim to n’ fro’
– She’s a Liverpool packet, oh Lord let ‘er go!

* 9 *

An’ now we’re arrivin’ in old New York town,
We’re bound for the Bovery, an, let sorrow drown;
With our gals an’ our beer, boys, oh let the song flow,
– She’s a Liverpool packet, oh Lord let ‘er go!

Related to this sea shanty

Seafarers

Away Susanna!

The Liverpool Packet A

February 22, 2026February 17, 2026 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Liverpool Packet A

“The Liverpool Packet A”, the song was given with different titles and versions, Stan Hugill tells us:
“As early Naval ballad it was called “La Pique” or “The Flash Frigate”, as a sailor John’s forebitter it was named “The Dreadnaught”, and as a capstan shanty its title, usually, was “The Liverpool Packet” or “Bound Away!” but quite often the last three titles were used indiscriminately.”
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 466).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 466,468).

The Record of The Liverpool Packet A

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

The Liverpool Packet A

– Bound away! Bound away!
– Through the ice, sleet an’ snow,
– She’s a Liverpool packet,
– Oh, Lord let ‘er go!

* 2 *

Oh, the time of her sailin’ is now drawin’ night,
Stand by all ye lubbers we’ll wish ye goodbye;
A pair o’ clean heels to ye now we will show,
– She’s a Liverpool packet, oh Lord let ‘er go!

* 3 *

* 4 *

* 5 *

* 6 *

* 7 *

* 8 *

* 9 *

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The Drummer And The Cook

October 9, 2025October 9, 2025 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Drummer And The Cook

“The Drummer And The Cook”, song gived to us by Richard Runciman Terry on his “The Shanty Book part II” (1926). Terry thell us that:
“This obviously a music-hall song taken over wholesale. I learnt it from Captain John Runciman, who in turn had it from the cook of the Blyth brig “Norththumberland”, in which vessel it was used as a shanty.”
Terry forgot the whole song but the first verse, so from his memory, he did reconstruct a great length of this song, but of course, he does not have warrant that the words were the original he heard in his past.
I will reconstruct this song as a capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Shanty Book part II” (1926) – Richard Runciman Terry.
The lyrics: “The Shanty Book part II” (1926) – Richard Runciman Terry.
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 460).

The Record of The Drummer And The Cook

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Drummer And The Cook

Oh, there was a’ little drummer and he loved a one-eyed cook,
An’ he loved her; O he loved her through she had a cook-eyed look,
– With her one eye in the pot, and the t’other up the chimney,
– with a bow, wow, wow, fallal the dowadidy, bow, wow, wow!

* 2 *

When this couple went a-courtin’ for to walk along the shore,
Sez the drummer to the cookie, “You’re the gel that I adore”.

* 3 *

When this couple went a-courtin’ for to walk along the pier,
Sez the cookie to the drummer “An’ I love you too, my dear.”

* 4 *

Sez the drommer to the cookie, “Aint the weather fine to-day?”
Sez the cookie to the drummer, “Is that all ye got to say?”

* 5 *

Sez the drummer to the cookie, @Will I buy the weddin’ ring?
Sez the cookie “Now you’;re talkin’. That would be the very thing.”

* 6 *

Sez the drummer to the cookie, “Will ye name the weddin’ day?”
Sez the cookie, “We’ll be married in the merry month o’ May”.

* 7 *

When they went to church to say “I will”, the drummer got a nark
For her one eye gliffed the Parson, and the t’other killed the Clerk.

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Jamboree (Whall)

Whoop Jamboree (Terry)

Whip Jamboree (Sharp)

De Sandy Boy

August 25, 2025August 25, 2025 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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

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

Billy Boy B

April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Billy Boy B

“Billy Boy B”, 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.
This one is the most popular, minor version.
I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.

The source of the Billy Boy B

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 451).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 451, 452).

The Record of this shanty

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

Billy Boy B

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,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 2 *

Can she cook, can she bake, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she cook, can she bake, Billy Boy?
Aye, she can cook an’ she can bake, she can make a saffron cake,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 3 *

Can she darn an’ can she sew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she darn an’ can she sew, me Billy Boy?
Aye she can darn an’ she can sew, there is nought she cannot do,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 4 *

Can she wash an’ can she clean, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she wash an’ can she clean, me Billy Boy?
Aye she can wash an’ can she clean, an’ she plays the tambourine,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 5 *

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.
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 6 *

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,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 7 *

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,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 8 *

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,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 9 *

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,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 10 *

Can she have the dipsy lead, etc.

* 11 *

Can she strop a block, etc.

Related to this sea shanty

Billy Boy A

April 1, 2025April 1, 2025 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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

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

Samuel Hall

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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

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!

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