Capstan Shanties

Sacramento (B)

December 11, 2023March 20, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Sacramento (B)

Sacramento (B) came into being aboard the great ships of those times “Sea Witch”, “Flying Cloud”, “Romance of the Seas” and so on, at the time of the California Gold Rush (1849). At the same time was published almost the same song as Stephen Foster’s “Camptown Races”, which was first, hard to say. Did Foster copy his song from Shanty? Colcord states that this shanty is the “slaver minstrel’ song “Camptown Races”. Terry, although he doesn’t say so outright, seems to think that the shanty came first. This song was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.

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 107).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 108).

The Record of the Sacramento (B)

The full lyrics

Sacramento (B)

Oh, as I was walkin’ down the street
– Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah!
A charmin’ gal I chanet to meet.
– Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah day!

– Blow, boys, blow!
– For Californ-eye-O!
– There’s plenty o’ gold so I’ve bin told,
– On the banks o’ the Sacramento

* 2 *

The gal was fair an sweet to view,
Her hair so brown an’ her eyes so blue

* 3 *

I raised me hat an’ said ‘How do?’,
Sez she, ‘Quite well, no thanks to you’

* 4 *

I asked her if she take a trip
A-down the docks to see my ship

* 5 *

She quickly answered, ‘Oh, dear, no.
I tank you but I cannot go.

* 6 *

‘My love is young, my love is true,
I wouldn’t leave my love for you’.

* 7 *

So quickly then I strode away,
I’d not another word to say

* 8 *

An’ as I bade this gal adieu,
I said that gals like her were few.

Related to this sea shanty

Sacramento (A)

Sacramento (A)

December 11, 2023March 20, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Sacramento (A)

Sacramento (A) was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”. The origin of this shanty has many controversies. Due to tune, form, and “Hoodah” or “Doodah” chorus, it has long been associated with Stephen Foster’s “Camptown Races”. C. F. Smith claims this shanty came after the minstrel ditty, it is very curious that a new set of words should have been fitted to the chorus of “Camptown Races”, while it was still a new song.

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 107).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 108).

The Record of the Sacramento (A)

The full lyrics

Sacramento (A)

As I wuz rollin’ down the strand,
– Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah!
I met two fairles hand in hand,
– Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah day!

– Blow, boys, blow!
– For Californ-eye-O!
– There’s plenty o’ gold so I’ve bin told,
– On the banks o’ the Sacramento

* 2 *

I chose the one with the curly locks,
She let me chase her o’er the rocks,

* 3 *

I chased her high, I chased her low,
I fell down an’ broke me toe.

* 4 *

Off to the doctor I did go,
An’ I showed him my big toe.

* 5 *

In came the doctor with a bloomin’ big lance,
‘Now, young sailor, I’ll make you dance!’

* 6 *

In came the nurse with a mustard poultice,
Banged it on, but I took no notice.

* 7 *

Now I’m well and free from pain,
I’ll never court flash gals again.

Related to this sea shanty

Bound for the Rio Grande (Cecil Sharp Version)

California

December 11, 2023March 20, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about California

Shortly after the young congressman, Abraham Lincoln came home from Washington and settled down again to the practice of law in Springfield, Illinois, there were announcements in newspapers occasionally, such as, “All who are interested in the California expedition will meet at candle-light to-night in the courthouse.” California then was a place to talk about, guess, and wonder about. The news came from Sutter’s Creek:

ten men shook pay dirt through hand screens and found a million dollars apiece in gold nuggets; the San Francisco city council adjourned without setting a date when it would meet again, churches closed their doors, newspapers stopped printing, and ships lay in the harbor with no sailors, cooks, and soldiers ran away from military forts. A free-for-all rush started to the gold-digging: a spade sold for $1,000.00. It was news that made New York and London sit up. Across the Great Plains came wagon trains; in ten miles along the Plate River, a traveler counted 450 wagons. At the trial’s end were gold and California…

This shanty is the first song opening the “Sacramento” family. This shanty was always sung at the capstan especially when raising the ‘mud-hook’.

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 106).

The lyrics: “The American Songbag” by Carl Sandburg (1927).

The Record of California

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Stan Hugill in “Shanties From the Seven Seas” gives us only one verse, it comes from a book called “The American Songbag” by Carl Sandburg (1927). Fortunately, I found this book so I will be very proud to sing it for you, in the full five stanzas version.

California

When formed our band, we are all well manned,
To journey a far to the promised land,
The golden ore is rich in store,
on the banks of the Sacramento shore,

– Then ho, boys, ho, To California go,
– There’s plenty of gold in the world I’m told,
– On the banks of the Sacramento shore.

* 2 *

As oft we roam o’er the dark sea’s foam,
We’ll not forget kind friends at home,
But memory kind still brings to mind
The love of friends we left behind.

* 3 *

We’ll expected our share of the coarset fare,
And sometimes sleep in the open air.
On the cold damp ground we’ll all sleep sound
Except when the wolves go howling round.

* 4 *

As we explore to the distant shore,
Filling our pockets with the shining ore,
How it will sound as the shout goes round,
Filling our pockets with a dozen of pounds.

* 5 *

The gold is there almost anywhere;
We dig it out rich with an iron bar,
But where it is thick, with spade or pick
We take out chunks as big as a brick.

Related to this sea shanty

As-Tu-Connu Le Per’ Lanc’lot

December 9, 2023March 19, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the A Long Time Ago (C)

A Long Time Ago (C) sometimes was sung in a lively fashion other times slow and melancholy, depending on the shantyman. Sometimes it was used at the capstan and then a full chorus was added.

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 97).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 99, 100).

The Record of the A Long Time Ago (C)

The full lyrics

A Long Time Ago (C)

The ships they lay in ‘Frisco Bay,
– To me WAY, hay, HO,high ho!
The ships they lay in ‘Frisco Bay,
– A LONG time aGO!

– A long, long time, an’ a very long time,
– To me WAY, hay, HO,high ho!
– A long, long time, and a very long time,
– A LONG time aGO!

* 2 *

An’ one o’ these packets wuz ol’ Noah’s Ark,
All covered all over with hickory bark.

* 3 *

They filled up her seams with oakum an’ pitch,
Her sails wuz baldly in need o’ a stitch.

* 4 *

Her bow it wuz bluff an’ her counter wuz round,
Her knees wuz so thin, an’ her timbers unsound.

* 5 *

Her fo’c’sle wuz low, an’ her starn wuz too high,
The hold for the animals never wuz dry.

* 6 *

Her pumps they wuz jammed and her fores’l wuz torn,
She looked like an ol’ Spanish galley-eye-orn.

* 7 *

Now this is the gangway the animals went down,
An’ this is the hold were they walk round an’ round.

* 8 *

Ol’ Noah of old he commanded this Ark,
His cargo wuz animals out for a lark.

* 9 *

He boarded the animals, two of each kind,
Birds, snakes, an’ jiggy-bugs, he didn’t mind.

* 10 *

The animals rolled up, oh, two by two,
The elephant casin’ the kangaroo.

* 11 *

The bull an’ the cow they started a row,
The bull did his best to horn the cow.

* 12 *

Then Ol’ Noah said with a flick o’ his whip,
‘Stop this bloody row, or I’ll scuttle the ship.’

* 13 *

An’ the bull put his horns through the side o’ the ark,
An’ the little black doggie, he started to bark.

* 14 *

So Noah took the dog, put his nose in the hole,
An’ ever since then the dog’s nose has been cold.

* 15 *

The animals came in three by three,
The elephant ridin’ the back o’ the flea.

* 16 *

The animals came in four by four,
Ol’ Noah wentmad an’ he hollered for more.

* 17 *

The animals came in five by five,
Some wuz half-dead, an’ some half-alive.

* 18 *

The animals came in six by six,
The hyena laughed at the monkey’s tricks.

* 19 *

The monkey was dressed up in soger’s clo’es;
Where he got ’em from, God only knows.

* 20 *

The animals came in seven by seven,
Sez the ant to the elephant, ‘who are yer shovin’?’

* 21 *

The animals came in eight by eight,
A drunken big chimp an’ a scabby big ape.

* 22 *

The animals came in nine by nine,
The sea-lions havin’ a bloomin’ fine time.

* 23 *

The animals came in ten by ten,
The Ark with a shriek blew her whistle then.

* 24 *

An’ Noah while working at loading her stock,
Had anchored the Ark with a bloody great rock.

* 25 *

Ol’ Noah he then hove the gang-plank in,
An’ then the long voyage it sure did begin.

* 26 *

They hadn’t the foggiest where they wuz at,
Untill they piled right up on ol’ Ararat.

* 27 *

The ol’ Ark with a bump landed high an’ dry,
And the bear give the turkey a sailor’s goodbye.

* 28 *

I thought that I heard Ol’ Noah say,
Give one more pull lads, an’ then belay!

Related to this sea shanty

Stormalong Lads Stormy

De Runer Von Hamborg

Opsang For Brasiliefareren, Briggen Preciosa (Norwegian)

December 9, 2023March 17, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Opsang For Brasiliefareren, Briggen Preciosa (Norwegian)

A Norwegian version of “Opsang” is a good example of the type of verse Henrik Wergeland, the Norwegian composer, wrote Opsang For Brasiliefareren, Briggen Preciosa (Norwegian), to supplant the usual ribald ones. In “Opsang” can be found the other fifty-four verses, He wrote – quite enough to finish a long heave! “Rio Grande” was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound song.

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 90).

The lyrics: The first six stanzas from “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 93, 94). The whole text all 54 verses have been taken from “Samlede Skirifter. I. Dikt, 3. Bind 1842-1845” p 55,56,57,58,59).

The Record of the Opsang For Brasiliefareren, Briggen Preciosa (Norwegian)

The full lyrics

Opsang For Brasiliefareren, Briggen Preciosa

Nu tage vi et langt Farvel
– O Rio!
med dig, du gamle, norske Fjeld.
– To my rolling Rio Grande!

– Way Rio!
– O Rio!
– Then sing fare-ye-well, to me pretty young gel,
– To my rolling Rio Grande!

* 2 *

Farvel, du gamle Graa! Farvel!
Vi tænke, at du staaer nok lel.

* 3 *

Vi tænke, at du staaer endda,
mens vi er i Amerika.

* 4 *

I Golfen under Mexico
vi skifte ei vor norske Tro.

* 5 *

I Rio og i Pernambuc
paa Norge tænke vi med Suk.

* 6 *

Ja vestenfore selv Cap Horn
i Hjertet sidder Hjemvees Torn.

* 7 *

Det bløder, bløder op igjen
i Paradiis-Brasilien.

* 8 *

Did er det Preciosa skal,
langt udenfor den blaa Kanal.

* 9 *

Da er det først hun fører Seil,
naar England seer vort Agterspeil.

* 10 *

Farvel, Europa! Cap Lizard
er Næsen paa din gamle Nar.

* 11 *

Men herlig som en Aftensky
i Vest gaaer op en Verden ny.

* 12 *

Did stunder Preciosas Lyst
med Seil saa fuldt som Svanens Bryst.

* 13 *

Da er det først ved Finisterr`
hun lufter sine hvide Fjer.

* 14 *

Da er det som en Svane roer
fra Cap Vincent til Mogador.

* 15 *

Og bagud gaaer den hvide Foss.
Følg os, du vilde Albatross!

* 16 *

Følg os, du vaade Flyvefisk!
Vi paa Madera faa en Pidsk.

* 17 *

Det blæser varmt fra Afrika.
Men Pico gi’e vi et Hurra.

* 18 *

Thi Sneen skinner fra dets Top.
Den frisker norske Hjerter op.

* 19 *

Tørhænde kommer en Korsar.
Da Gutter, op! Kanonen klar!

* 20 *

Op flyver da vort norske Flag.
Nu kan det bli’e saa varm en Dag.

* 21 *

Vi tænke paa Jorsalafar.
Hans Klinge Blaamandshovder skar.

* 22 *

Vi tænke, at vi hævde maa
Normannanavnet paa det Blaa.

* 23 *

Den sorte Skonnert braser væk.
Han saae det blinked paa vort Dæk.

* 24 *

Han saae et Glimt af en Musket
og Spidsen af en Bajonet.

* 25 *

Han tænkte da: der er vel fleer?
At dreje af det bedste er.

* 26 *

Han gik i Læ, den slu Pirat.
Da kom en fygende Dravat.

* 27 *

Men lad staa til! Passat vi faaer.
Mod Vest, mod Vest, mod Vest det gaaer.

* 28 *

Vi bære af, og Hajen med.
Af Os skal han ei blive feed.

* 29 *

Jo bi! Der har du din Portion!
Du pryde skal vor Gallion.

* 30 *

Vi hale ham med Lænker ind,
og spænde ud den Morders Skind.

* 31 *

Vi bære af mod Vest, mod Vest!
Vi Linjen skar. Det var en Fest.

* 32 *

Da drak vi Norges Skaal med Skjemt.
Kaptainens blev ei heller glemt.

* 33 *

Og Rhederen paa sit Kontor,
han fik en Bommert, som var stor.

* 34 *

Vor vakkre Preciosa med
vi gjorde i en Skaal Besked.

* 35 *

Hun, før vi vidste Ord deraf,
har gjennemkløvt det store Hav.

* 36 *

Der blaaner alt i Havets Rand
Brasiliens Slaraffenland.

* 37 *

Og Rio aabner alt sin Bugt.
Der, Preciosa, hvil din Flugt!

* 38 *

Som ungen Brud sin Rosenkrands,
sit Flag hun bær’ — vort Fædrelands.

* 39 *

Forundret knapt Kreolen troer,
at det er Nordens Trikolor.

* 40 *

Men Negren kommer med sin Sæk.
Saa stuve vi fra Bund til Dæk.

* 41 *

Og naar vi synes, vi har nok,
saa op med Bramseil! ud med Fok!

* 42 *

Saa maa vi hjem til gamle Moer.
Hun veed vi efter Kaffe foer.

* 43 *

Hun sidder bag det gamle Fjeld,
og ønsker os paa Reisen Held.

* 44 *

Hun ønsker vi maa komme snart.
Tilbage derfor i en Fart!

* 45 *

Følg os, Atlanterhavets Hai!
Tilbage over Porto Pray!

* 46 *

Ja fra den takkede Azor
tilbage til det elskte Nord!

* 47 *

Kanalen aabner sig, Hurra!
Nu er vi ikke langt derfra.

* 48 *

Da raabe vi til Vinden: blæs!
Vi længes efter Lindesnæs.

* 49 *

Vi længes svarlig hjem igjen.
Det gjør vi i Brasilien.

* 50 *

Og Apelsinen gyldenmalt
vi spise tidt til Taarers Salt.

* 51 *

Men naar vi Norge faa at see,
da er forbi al Sorg og Vee.

* 52 *

Hvis Visen synes dig for lang,
saa syng en Stub deraf hvergang!

* 53 *

Matrosen hugger af sin Bus.
Med Visen gjør det samme Puds!

* 54 *

Og blev den lang, saa glem dog ei,
Preciosa har saa lang en Vei.

Hurra! Hurra! for Singsallijo!

Related to this sea shanty

Rio. Grande (A)

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

Rio Grande – Norwegian sailor version

December 9, 2023March 17, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande – Norwegian sailor version

A few verses of the Rio Grande – a Norwegian sailor version, were given to Stan Hugill by a Norwegian sailor; the Rio Grande was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass; and was an outward-bound song.

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 94).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 94).

The Record

The full lyrics

Rio Grande (Norvegian sailor version)

Oh, were ye ever at Rio Grand?
– Rolling Rio!
Oh, were you ever on that strand?
– To me Rolling Rio Grande,

– Way Rio!
– Rolling Rio!
– Then Sing fare-ye-well, to me pretty young gel,
– To me Rolling Rio Grande,

* 2 *

Where the Portugee girls can be found,
– Rolling Rio!
And they’re the girls to waltz around.
– To me Rolling Rio Grande,

– Way Rio!
– Rolling Rio!
– Then Sing fare-ye-well, to me pretty young gel,
– To me Rolling Rio Grande,

Related to this sea shanty

Rio. Grande (A)

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version)

December 9, 2023March 16, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version)

This is one of the most popular shanty families in the days of sail It was not the Mexican Rio Grande about which they were singing but the one further south in Brazil; not “Rio Grande del Nord” but “Rio Grande do Sul”. Stan Hugill in their description of the Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version), said that his friend Mr. T. E. Elwell informed him that when he was a shantyman he often sang the words of certain songs A. Conan Doyle had written in his series “Tales of the High Seas”.

This was all about a certain pirate “Captain Shankey” of the ship “Happy Delivery”. The Rio Grande, sailors sang at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound song. According to Stan Hugill. This fine shanty at capstan or windlass; and was an outward-bound song.

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 90).

The lyrics: “Tales of the High Seas” by Arthur Conan Doyle. The last three verses from 15 – 17 are Liverpool Stanzas (mentioned by Stan Hugill).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 93).

The Record

The full lyrics

Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version)

A trader sailed from Stepney Town,
– Way down Rio!
With a bag of gold and a silken gown,
– And we’re bound for the Rio Gran-de,

– Then away, love away!
– Way down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my pretty young girl,
– And; we’re bound for the Rio Gran-de,

* 2 *

Where is the trader of Stepney Town?
– Way …
His gold’s on the capstan, his blood”s on his gown.
–And …

– Then away, love away!
– Way down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my pretty young girl,
– And …

* 3 *

Then it’s up an’ it’s over to Stornaway Bay,
– Way …
Where the whisky is good and the lassies are gay.
–And …

– Then away, love away!
– Way down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my pretty young girl,
–And …

Related to this sea shanty

Bound for the Rio Grande (Cecil Sharp Version)

Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

December 9, 2023March 16, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

This version of Bound for the Rio Grande is Richard Runciman Terry’s version from “The Shanty Book Part I” (1921). “Rio Grande” was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound song. In “Shanties from the Seven Seas”, Stan Hugill Mentioned only this version.

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – Richard Runciman Terry (1st ed p 4, 5).

The lyrics: “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – Richard Runciman Terry (1st ed p 4, 5).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 93).

The Record of the Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry's Version) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

I,ll sing you a song of the fish of the sea.
– Oh Rio
I,ll sing you a song of the fish of the sea
– And we’re bound; for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, love away!
– Way down Rio!
– So fare-ye-well, my pretty young gel,
– For we’re bound; for the Rio Grande.

* 2 *

Sing goodbye to sally, and goodbye to Sue.
And you who are listerning, goodbye to you.

* 3 *

Our ship went sailing out over the Bar
And we pointed her nose for the southeren Star.

* 4 *

Farewell and adieu to you laidies of Spain
And were all of us comming to see you again.

* 5 *

I said farewell to Kitty my dear,
And she waved her white hand as we passed the South Pier.

* 6 *

The oak and the ash, and the bonny birk tree
They’re all growing green in the North Countrie.

Related to this shanty

Rio. Grande (A)

Rio Grande (F)

December 9, 2023March 16, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande (F)

Rio Grande including Rio Grande (F), was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass and was an outward-bound song.

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 90).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 93, 94).

The Record

The full lyrics

Rio Grande (F)

Oh, Capitain, Capitan, heave yer ship to,
– Away down Rio!
For we,ve got some mail; to be carried home by you.
– We’re bound; for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, love away!
– Away down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my bonnie young girl,
– We’re bound; for the Rio Grande,

* 2 *

Oh, Cap’tan, you’re sailin’ to England away,
An’ we will not see it for many a day.

* 3 *

Oh, Cap’tan, you’ve weathered full many a gale,
So have yer ship to for to pick up our mail.

* 4 *

Oh, Cap’tan, ye’ll pick up our letters for home,
To carry a letter from us who do roam.

* 5 *

Oh, Captain, Cap’tan, our ensign we’ll dip,
Pray tell’em at home that you,ve spoken our ship.

Related to Rio Grande (F)