Interesting Facts about the Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo
“Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo” version was given to Stan Hugill by Harding Barbadian, who said it was sung at the capstan. Cecil Sharp gives one verse of this song, and he believes this is the variant of the Irish Folk Song “Shule Agra”. The word “too-rer-loo” in the chorus indicates an Irish connection. This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 340). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 340).
The Record of the Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo
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 Moke Pickin On The Banjo
He bang, she bang, daddy shot a bear, Shot it in the stem me boys, an’ niver turned a hair,
– We’re all from the railroad — too-rer-loo, – Oh, the ol’ moke pickin’ on the banjo.
– Hooraw! What the hell’s the row? – We’re all from the railroad — too-rer-loo, – We’re all from the railroad — too-rer-loo, – oooh! The ol’ moke pickin’ on the banjo!
* 2 *
Pat, get back, take in yer slack, heave away, me boys, Heave away, me bully boys, why don’t ye make some noise?
* 3 *
Roll her, boys, bowl her, boys, give ‘er flamin’ gip, Drag the anchor off the mud, an’ let the bastard rip!
* 4 *
Rock-a-block, chock-a-block, heave the caps’n round, Fish the flamin’ anchor up, for we are outward bound.
* 5 *
Out chocks, two blocks, heave away or bust, Bend yer backs, me bully boys, kick up some flamin’ dust.
* 6 *
Whisky-o, Johnny-O, the mudhook is a slight, ‘Tis a hell-ov-a-way to the gals that wait, an’ the ol’ Nantucket Light.
“Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland” version, known also under the title “Mainsail Haul”. This song was both capstan shanty and forebitter. According to Stan Hugill, the “Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland” version was very popular, especially in Liverpool ships. Stan Hugill tells us also that this song has two forms, the eight-line verse (forebitter form), and the four-line verse (shanty pattern). We do have here the last variation of this song gives us a capstan shanty from “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951). So, Dick Maitland was the singer who sang this great song to Doerflinger. His performances are very authentic because he was a regular American shantyman, late of Sailors, Snug Harbour.
The following song will be reconstructed as a Capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 326). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 326, 327).
Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland
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
Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland
I was broke and out of a job in the city of London, I went down the Shad wall Docks to get a ship,
– Paddy get back, – take in the slack, – Heave away your capstan, heave a pawl, heave a pawl! – ‘Bount ship and stations, there, be handy – Rise tacks ‘n’ sheets ‘n’ mains’l haul!
* 2 *
There was a Yankee ship a-laying in the basin; Shipping master told me she was going to New York!
* 3 *
If ever I get my hands on that shipping master, I will murder him if it’s the last thing that I do!
* 4 *
When the pilot left the ship the catain told us, We were bound around Cape Horn to Callao!
* 5 *
And he said that she was hot and still a-heating, And the best thing we could do was watch our step.
* 6 *
Now the mate and second mate belonged to Boston, And the captain belonged in Bangor down in Maine.
* 7 *
Tree of them were rough an’ tumble fighters, When not fighting among themselves they fought with us.
* 8 *
Oh, they called us out one night to reef the tops’ls, There was belayin’-pins a-flyin’ round the deck.
* 9 *
We came on deck and went to set the tops’ls, Not a man among the bunch could sing a song.
* 10 *
Oh, the mate he grabbed a-hold of me by the collar, ‘If you don’t sing a song I’ll break your blasted neck!’
* 11 *
I got up and gave them a verse of Reuben Ranzo, Oh, the answer that I got would make you sick.
* 12 *
It was three long months before we got to Callao, And the ship she was a-called a floating hell.
* 13 *
We filled up there at Callao with saltpetre, And then back again around Cape Horn!
“Paddy Mustert An” is the German version of the “Mainsail Haul” or “Paddy Lay, Back” song, in some versions used as forebitter or sea song, and in other cases sung as the capstan shanty. This time the song was used as the capstan shanty. Here is the original song with the melody from “Knurrhahn – Seemannslieder und Shanties”. This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.
Special thanks to Gunnar Wiegand who help me with the German language pronunciation of this beautiful song.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Knurrhahn – Seemannslieder und Shanties” Richard Baltzer; Klaus Prigge; Knurrhahn-Lotsen-Gesangverein (1936) (Zweiter Band, page 78, 79, and 80). The lyrics: “Knurrhahn – Seemannslieder und Shanties” Richard Baltzer; Klaus Prigge; Knurrhahn-Lotsen-Gesangverein (1936) (Zweiter Band, page 78, 79, and 80). Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 324).
The Record of the Paddy Mustert An
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
Paddy Mustert An
Ein kalter frost’ ger Morgen im Dezember Und all mein Geld, zum Deubel ging es hin. Wo dies geschah, ich nicht mehr so erinner’. Zum Heu’rbüro ich dann hinunterging
An jenem Tag man fragte viel nach Sailors für Frisco, Santos, Hongkong und fürs Kap Jch ging jedoch auf einen Whaler und holte mir sofort das Handgeld ab.
– Paddy gah los! Hal in de Los’! – Dreih doch rüm dat Gangspill hiev een Pall, hiev een Pall, – Los as he geiht! Up Station, Jungs! In ‘ne Gang! – Hal Gei! Schoot un Grootmarsfall!
* 2 *
Am nächsten Morgen kam ich dann zum Schiffe, Jch fühlt es noch verdammt schwer auf der Brust. Und setzt im Foksel mich auf meine Kiste Und törnte ein zu einen kleinen Mulch.
Gerade jetzt hört ich ‘ne Stimme schreien, Jch horchte, – da vernahm ich sie nochmal. Es war der Maat mit seinem Preien: Hört, Jungs, mal her, nun ruf ich eure Nam’n.
* 3 *
Als ich nun ankam auf dem Achterdecke, So etwas sah mein Auge nie vorher, Da gab es Menschen jeder Farb’ und Rasse, Mein armes Herz das wurde krank und schwer.
Jch wünschte mich zurück nach “Jolly sailors”, Een Pott mit Bier, ne sööte Deern in Arm. Bei dem Gedanken wollt mein Herz mir brechen, Jch ging nach vorn, zu stillen meinen Gram.
* 4 *
Jn meiner Kiste hatt ich eine Flasche, Zum Abscheid gab der Schlafbaas sie mir mit. Jch dacht’ mit Schnaps zu netzen meine Kehle, Und damit werden Sorg und Plagen quitt.
Zum Teufel auch! Jch denk mich laust der Affe, Als ich die Buddel setzte an und trank, Jch war erstaunt und ganz verdattert Als “Hustensaft” ich in der Buddel fand.
“Paddy Signs On”, as Stan Hugill mentioned, comes from “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 372, 373). As Sternvall says his version of the song is the capstan shanty (gångspelsshanty). According to Sternvall, the text recorded by sea captain A. M. Säfström on board the bark ship “Trio” of Tvedestrand in 1913. Sung by captain N. A. Knafe. In this somewhat altered and polished form, it is known from the 1890s. This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 372, 373). The lyrics: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935 (1st ed p 372 – 374). Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 324).
The Record of the Paddy Signs On
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
Paddy Signs On
A cold and frosty morning of December, when all of my money I had spent, where it went to, now I don’t remember – I down to a shippingoffice went.
That day there was a great demand for sailors for Frisco and for London and for France, so I shipped aboard of a whaler and went off to cash my advance.
– Paddy, lay back, – take in your slack, – rally around the capstan! – Heave a pawl, heave a pawl! – Ready about your stations, boys, be handy, – raise tacks, sheets and mainsail haul!
* 2 *
Next morning I came aboard the vessel, afeeling very heavy on the booze. I sat upon my chest aquitely thinking, I turned in my bunk to have a snooze.
Just then I thought I heard a voice calling. I listened and I heard it again. It was the mate, a louding hauling: “Say boys, answer to your names!”
“Paddy Lay Back”, also called “Mainsail Haul”, was both capstan shanty and forebitter, according to Stan Hugill very popular, especially in Liverpool ships. Stan Hugill knows this song directly from two people, his father and John Connolly (Liverpool-Irish sailing-ship man), whose last line sang in fashion you can find in the lyrics. Stan Hugill tells us also that this song has two forms, the eight-line verse (forebitter form), and four-line verse (shanty pattern). This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 321). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 321 – 323).
The Record of the Yeo Heave Ho!
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
Paddy, Lay Back
Twas a cold an’ dreary mornin’ in December, (December), An’ all of me money it wuz spent, (it wuz spent) Where it went to Lord I can’t remember, (remember), So down to the shippin’ of fice went, (went, went),
– Paddy, lay Back (Paddy, lay Back)! – Take in yer slack (take in yer slack)! – Take a turn around the capstan – heave a pawl – heave a pawl! – ‘Bount ship, stations, boys, be handy (be handy)! – For we’re bound for Valaparaiser ’round the Horn!
* 2 *
That day there wuz a great demand for sailors (for sailors), For the Colonies and for ‘Frisco and for France (an’ for France), So I shipped aboard a Limey barque the Hotspur (Hotspur), An’ got paralitic drunk on my advance (‘vance, ‘vance),
* 3 *
Now I joined her on a cold December mornin’, A-frappin’ o’ me flippers to keep me warm. With the south cone a-hoisted as a warnin’, To stand by comin’ o’ a storm.
* 4 *
Now some of out fellers had bin drinkin’, An’ I mmeself wuz heavy on the booze; An’ I wuz on me ol’ sea-chest a-thinkin’ I’d turn into me bunk an’ have a snooze.
* 5 *
I woke up in the mornin’ sick an’ sore, An’ knew I wuz outward bound again; When I heard a voice a-bawlin’ at the door, ‘Lay aft, men, an’ answer to yer names!’
* 6 *
‘Twas on the quarterdeck where first I saw ’em, Such an ugly bunch I’d niver seen afore; For there wuz a bum an’ stiff from every quarter, An’ it made me poor ol’ heart fell sick an’ sore.
* 7 *
There wuz Spaniards an’ Dutchmen an ‘Roosians, An’ Johnny Crappos jist across from France; An’ most o’ ’em couldn’t speak a word o’ English, But answered to the name of ‘Minth’s Advance’.
* 8 *
I wist I wuz in the ‘Jolly Sailor’, Along with Irish Kate a-drinkin’ beer; An’ then I thought what jolly chaps were sailors, An’ with me flipper I wiped away a tear.
* 9 *
I knew in me box I had a bottle, By the boardin’-master ’twas put there; An’ I wanted something for to wet me throttle, Somethin’ for to drive away dull care.
* 10 *
So down upon me knees I went like thunder, Put me hand into the bottom o’ the box, An, what wuz me great surprise an’ wonder’ Found only a bottle o’ medicine for the pox.
* 11 *
I felt that I should skip an’ join another, ‘Twas plain that I had joined a lousy bitch; But the chances wuz that I might join a worser, An, we might git through the voyage without a hitch.
* 12 *
I axed the mate a-which a-watch wuz mine-O, Sez he, ‘I’ll soon pick out a-which is which’; An’ he blowed me down an’ kicked me hard a-stern-O, Callin’ me a lousy, dirty son-o’-a-bitch.
* 13 *
Now we singled upan’ got the tugs alongside, They towed us through the locks an’ out to sea; With half the crew a-pukin’ o’er the ship’s side, An’ the bloody fun that started sickened me.
* 14 *
Although me poor ol’ head wuz all a-jumpin’, We had to loose her rags the followin’ morn; I dreamt the boardin’-master I wuz thumpin’, When I found out he’d sent me around the Horn.
* 15 *
I swore I would become a beachie-comber, An, niver go to sea no ruddy more; For niver did I want to be a roamer, I’d shanghai the boardin’-master an’ stay ashore.
* 16 *
But when we got to bully ol’ Vallapariser, In the Bay we dropped our mudhook far from shore; The Ol’ Man he refused ter let us raise ‘er, An’ he stopped the boardin’-master comin’ aboard.
* 17 *
I quickly made me mind up that I’d jump ‘er, I’d leave the beggar an’ git a job ashore; I swum across the Bay an’ left ‘er, An’ in the English Bar I found a whore.
* 18 *
But Jimmy Wop he knew a thing or two, boys, An, soon he’d shipped me outward bound again; On a Limey to the Chinchas for guanner, boys, An’ soon wuz I a-roarin’ this refrain.
* 19*
So there wuz I once more again at sea, boys, The same ol’ ruddy business over again; Oh, stamp the caps’n tound an’ make some noise, boys, An’ sing again this dear ol’ sweet refrain.
“Yeo Heave Ho!” capstan shanty in Stan Hugill classification belonging to the group of shanties with the word “heave”. This version comes from “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 9). Alexandrine Smith on the occasion of this shanty Alexandrine Smith describes the capstan shanties, she says: “In the capstan chanties the metre is generally long, and they are of a more pathetic nature than the hauling ones. To those who have heard it as the men run round the capstan, bringing up the anchor from the English mud of a ship outward bound for a two or three years’ trip, perhaps never to return, what can be more sad or touching, although sung with a hearty good-will, than ” Yo, heave ho!”. I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 9). The lyrics: “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 9). Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 318).
The Record of the Yo Heave Ho! – Smith
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
Yo Heave Ho! – Smith
Yo, heave ho! Round the capstan go! Round, men, with a will! Tramp, and tramp it still! The anchor must be heaved, The anchor must be heaved. – Yo, ho ! Yo, ho! Yo, ho! Yo, ho!
“Yeo Heave Ho!” capstan shanty in Stan Hugill classification belonging to the group of shanties with the word “heave”. This song is also given by Davis & Tozer, and L. A. Smith. Stan Hugill thinks that by form and music, it must rank as one of the earliest of the capstan shanties. He also has some unconfirmed theory, that the song is one referred to in Chapter 36 of Richard Dana’s book “Two Years Before Mast”. 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 318). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 318).
The Record of the Yeo Heave Ho!
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
Yeo Heave Ho!
Yeo heave hoo! Round th’ capstan go Heave men with a will, Tramp and tramp it still, The anchor must be weighed – The anchor must be weighed – Yeo hoo, he-ave hoo, yeo hoo, he-ave ho!
* 2 *
Yeo heave hoo! cheerily wy go Heave men with a will, Tramp and tramp it still, The anchor grips the ground – The anchor grips the ground – Yeo hoo, he-ave hoo, yeo hoo, he-ave ho!
* 3 *
Yeo heave hoo! raise her from below, Heave men with a will, Tramp and tramp it still, The anchor off the ground – The anchor off the ground – Yeo hoo, he-ave hoo, yeo hoo, he-ave ho!
* 4 *
Yeo heave hoo! round the capstan go, Heave men with a will, Tramp and tramp it still, The anchor now is weighed – The anchor now is weighed – Yeo hoo, he-ave hoo, yeo hoo, he-ave ho!
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
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
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.
“Heave Away – Colcord” – one of the mentioned versions of the “Heave Away Me Johnnies” shanty, in Stan Hugill’s book “Shanties from the Seven Seas” on page 308. Joanna Colcord in her book says: “Heave Away,” or “We’re All Bound to Go,” shows little trace of its origin in the form in which its latest seagoing days were spent. I do reconstruct this song as the capstan song.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Roll And Go – Songs Of American Sailormen” by Joanna C. Colcord (1st Edition) – (1924). The lyrics: “Roll And Go – Songs Of American Sailormen” by Joanna C. Colcord (1st Edition) – (1924). Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 308).
The Record of the Heave Away – Colcord
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
Heave Away – Colcord
Sometimes we’re bound for Liverpool, more times we’re bound for France, – Heave away, my Johnny, heave away away! Sometimes we’re bound for Liverpool, more times we’re bound for France, – And away, my Johnny boy, we’re all bound to go!
* 2 *
Oh, Johnny, you’re a rover, and to-day you sail away. It’s I will be your own sweethart if you will only stay.
Interesting Facts about the Were All Bound To Go – Davis And Tozer
“Were All Bound To Go – Davis And Tozer” – one of the mentioned versions of the “Heave Away Me Johnnies” shanty, in Stan Hugill’s book “Shanties from the Seven Seas” on page 308. The Ferris and Tozer book song is in chapter “Anchor Songs” on pages 8 and 9. Following Davis and Tozer this song will be reconstructed as the anchor capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Sailors’ songs or “Chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (1st Edition) – (1886). The lyrics: “Sailors’ songs or “Chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (1st Edition) – (1886). Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 308).
The Record of the Were All Bound To Go – Davis And Tozer
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
Were All Bound To Go – Davis And Tozer
As I was walking out one day, Down by the Albert docks, I saw the charming maids so gay, A coming down in flocks,
– Heave away, my jolly boys, – We’re all bound to go.
* 2 *
There was fair Poll and saucy Sue, And merry laughing May, And Sal and Ann, and Bessie true, Dressed out in bunting gay.
* 3 *
They all were there to see a ship Of note and noble fame, That was about to make a trip, The “Bengal” was her name.
* 4 *
The day was fine when she set sail, The wind was blowing free; But it had freshened to a gale, Ere we were fair at sea.
* 5 *
We snugged her down and laid her to, With reef’d main-topsail set; “It was no joke,” I say to you, Our bunks and clothes were wet.
* 6 *
The gale in fury had increased Ere night was fairly come; And ev’ry lubber never ceased To wish himself at home.
* 7 *
It clear’d off fine at break of day, The sails were set again; The “Bengal” speed like life away Across the raging main.
* 8 *
So gaily let your voices ring, My Johnnies heave away. We’re bound to go, so better sing Than pipe your tears away.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
