Forebitters

Bosuns Alphabet

August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Bosuns Alphabet

“Bosuns Alphabet” is a forebitter, sometimes used at the pumps. This version, which gives us Stan Hugill, comes from his friend Jack Birch of Plymouth. Here is the second version from Stan Hugill’s book; it is the same as the first one, with an alternative chorus.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 457).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 457,458).

The Record of the Bosuns Alphabet

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Bosuns Alphabet

A is for the Anchor that lies at our bow,
B is for the Bowsprit, an’ the jibs all lie low,
oh C is for the Caps’n we all run around,
D is for a Davits to low’r the boat down,

– So merrily, so merrily, so merrily sail we,
– There’s no one on earth like a sailor at sea,
– Sing high sing low! as the ship rolls along,
– Give a sailor his rum an’ there’s nothing goes wrong!

* 2 *

E is for the Earring when reefing we haul,
F is for the Fo’c’sle where the bullies do brawl,
Oh! G is for the Galley where the saltjunk smells strong,
H is for the Halyards we hoist with a song.

* 3 *

I is for the Eyebolt–no good for the feet,
J is for the Jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet,
Oh! K is for the Knightheads where the shantyman stands,
L is for the Leeside hard found by new hands.

* 4 *

M is for the Maindeck–as white as new snow,
N is for the Nigger gals in the land which we go,
Oh! O is for the Orlop, ‘neath the ‘tweendecks it lays,
P is for the Peter flown on sailin’ day.

* 5 *

Q is for the Quadrant–to thw wheel it lies near,
R is for the Rudder–it helps us to steer,
Oh! S is for the Sheerpole over which we must climb,
T is for the Topmen, ‘way aloft every time.

* 6 *

U is for Uniform–only worn aft,
V is for the Vangs running from the main gaff,
Ph! W is for the Water–we’re on pint an’ pound,
X marks the Spot where Ol’ Stormy wuz drowned.

* 7 *

Y is for Yardarm–needs a good sailorman,
Z is for Zoe–I’m her fancy man,
So this is the end of me bully ol’ song,
Heave away, bullies, oh, heave long an’ strong!

Related to this Forebitter

The Bosuns Alphabet

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Bosuns Alphabet

“Bosuns Alphabet” is a forebitter, sometimes used at the pumps. This version, which gives us Stan Hugill, comes from his friend Jack Birch of Plymouth.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456,457).

The Record of The Bosuns Alphabet

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Bosuns Alphabet

A is for the Anchor that lies at our bow,
B is for the Bowsprit, an’ the jibs all lie low,
oh C is for the Caps’n we all run around,
D is for a Davits to low’r the boat down,

– sooo! merrily, so merrily, so merrily sail we,
– There’s no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea,
– Blow high or blow low! as the ship rolls along,
– Give a sailor his grog an’ there’s nothing goes wrong!

* 2 *

E is for the Earring when reefing we haul,
F is for the Fo’c’sle where the bullies do brawl,
Oh! G is for the Galley where the saltjunk smells strong,
H is for the Halyards we hoist with a song.

* 3 *

I is for the Eyebolt–no good for the feet,
J is for the Jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet,
Oh! K is for the Knightheads where the shantyman stands,
L is for the Leeside hard found by new hands.

* 4 *

M is for the Maindeck–as white as new snow,
N is for the Nigger gals in the land which we go,
Oh! O is for the Orlop, ‘neath the ‘tweendecks it lays,
P is for the Peter flown on sailin’ day.

* 5 *

Q is for the Quadrant–to thw wheel it lies near,
R is for the Rudder–it helps us to steer,
Oh! S is for the Sheerpole over which we must climb,
T is for the Topmen, ‘way aloft every time.

* 6 *

U is for Uniform–only worn aft,
V is for the Vangs running from the main gaff,
Ph! W is for the Water–we’re on pint an’ pound,
X marks the Spot where Ol’ Stormy wuz drowned.

* 7 *

Y is for Yardarm–needs a good sailorman,
Z is for Zoe–I’m her fancy man,
So this is the end of me bully ol’ song,
Heave away, bullies, oh, heave long an’ strong!

Related to this Forebitter

Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

Old Swansea Town Once More ( B )

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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

“Old Swansea Town Once More ( B )” – the famous Welsh Capstan song. This version is ‘toned down’ a lot from sailor singing, but it is the version that is accepted throughout the folk-song world. The song is collected by G. B. Gadiner in Hampshire. Stan Hugill took this version from Mr. Mansell Thomas (Head of Welsh Music, B.B.C., Cardiff).
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 432).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 432, 433).

The Record of the Old Swansea Town Once More ( B )

You can also 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 ( B )

Oh, farewell to you my Nancy, Ten thousand times adieu,
I’m bound to cross the ocean girl, once more to port with you,
Once more to port from you fine girl,
You’re the girl that I adore,
But still I live in hopes to see, old Swansea Town once more,

– Old Swansea Town once more, fine girl!
– You’re the girl that I adore,
– But still I live in hopes to see,
– Old Swansea Town once more!

* 2 *

Oh, it’s now that I am out at sea, an’ you are far behind,
Kind letters I will write to you, of the secrets of my mind,
Of the secrets of my mind, fine girl!
You’re the girl that I adore,
But still I live in hopes to see, old Swansea Town once more,

* 3 *

Oh, now the storm is rising, I can see it coming on,
The night so dark an anything, we cannot see the moon;
We cannot see the moon, fine girls!
Our rigging is all tore,
But I live in hopes to see, old Swansea Town once more,

* 4 *

Oh, it’s now the storm is over, and we are safe on shore,
We’ll drink strong drinks and brandies too, to the girls that we adore,
To the girls that we adore, fine girls!
We’ll make the tavern roar,
And when our money is all gone, we’ll go to sea for more.

Related to this Forebitter

Oh Susanna

Roll Alabama Roll! – Forebitter

The Princess Royal

August 23, 2024August 23, 2024 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Princess Royal

“The Princess Royal” is the last variation of the “High Barbaree” song presented by Stan Hugill in his “Shanties from the Seven Seas”. Stan Hugill takes this version from Bill Fuller of Cornwall, who had it from an old man-o’-war’s man.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 421).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 421).

The Record of The Princess Royal

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Princess Royal

On the fourteenth of Febru’ry we sailed from the land,
In the bold “Princess Royal” bound for New Foun’-land,
We had forty five seamen for a ship’s company,
The wind from the east’-end, To the west’-end steered we.

* 2 *

We’d hardly been sailin’ but a day two or three,
When the man from our masthead strange sail he did see.
She came bearin’ down on us with her topsails so high,
And under her mizen-peak black colours did fly.

* 3 *

An’ when this bold pirate had have alongside,
With a loud speakin’ voice, ‘We are comin’!’ he cried,
‘We come from fair London bound to Callao,
So hinder us not in our passage to go.’

* 4 *

‘Back yer maintops’l an’ heave yer ship to,
For I have a letter to be carried home by you.’
‘I’ll back my maintops’l an’ heave my ship to,
But only in some harbour an’ alongside o’ you.’

* 5 *

He chased us to wind’ard an’ through the long day,
An’ he chased us to loo’ard but he could not gain way,
An’ he fired long-shot after us, but he could not prevail,
An’ the bold Princess Royal soon showed a clean tail.

* 6 *

Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, go down every man,
Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, go down one an’ all,
Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, an’ be o’ good cheer,
For as long as we’ve sea-room we’ve nothin’ to fear!

Related to this Forebitter

Oh Susanna

Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

Roll Alabama Roll! – Forebitter

High Barbaree (West Country Tune)

August 14, 2024August 14, 2024 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the High Barbaree (West Country Tune)

“High Barbaree (West Country Tune)” – “geographical”: The song’s name is taken from the savage Coast of North Africa, the lair of the Corsairs. Stan Hugill mentioned apart of him two collectors, who gave us versions of this song: Sampson (shanty version) and Whall (forebitter version). The song was sometimes called “Salcombe Seamen” and was sung solely at the capstan. Here is the west country tune.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 420).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 420).

The Record of the High Barbaree (West Country Tune)

High Barbaree (West Country Tune) - Forebitter

The musical notation

The full lyrics

High Barbaree (West Country Tune)

There were two lofty ships from ol’ England they set sail
– Blow high! Blow low! An’ so sailed we – ,
One was the “Prince of luther” an’ the other “Prince of Wales”,
– Sailin’ down along the coasts o’ High Barbaree!

* 2 *

‘Aloft there, aloft!’ our bully bosun cried.
‘Look ahead, look astern, look to weather an’ a-lee!”

* 3 *

‘There’s naught upon the starn, sir, there’s naught upon the lee,’
But there’s a lofty ship to wind’ ard an’ she’s sailin’ fast an’ free.’

* 4 *

‘O hail her! O hail her!’ our gallant cap’n cried,
‘Are you a man-o’-war or a privateer?’ cried he.

* 5 *

‘Oh, no I’m not a man-o’-war, nor privateer,’ cried he,
‘But I’m a salt sea pirate, all a-lookin’ for me fee!’

* 6 *

For broadside, for broadside a long time we lay,
Till at last ‘Prince o’ Luther’ shot the pirate’s mast away.

* 7 *

‘O quarter! O quarter!’ those pirates they did cry,
But the quarter that we gave ’em, was to sink ’em in the sea.

Related to this Forebitter

Oh Susanna

Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

Roll Alabama Roll! – Forebitter

The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger

June 17, 2024June 17, 2024 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger

“The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger” – described by Doerflinger in his “Shantymen And Shantyboys” as the Deep-Water Song. According to Stan Hugill, this version is from the singing of Richard Maitland of Sailors’ Snug Harbor, and Doerflinger has given his slightly different way of singing verses 2 and 3 and their choruses. Hugill gives us only the first verse, I will reconstruct this song in full six verses as given to us in Doerflinger’s book.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the Forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
The lyrics: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 413).

The Record of The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger

The Banks O Newfnland (Doerflinger) - Forebitter

The musical notation

The Banks O Newfnland - Doerflinger - music notation 1

The Banks O Newfnland - Doerflinger - music notation 2

The full lyrics

The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger

You rambling boys of Liverpool, I’d have you to beware,
When you ship on a Yankee packet ship, no dungarees do wear,
But have a monkey pea jacket all ready at your command,
To protect you from the cold nor’-westers on the banks of Newfoundland.

– We’ll rub her down and scrub her down, with holystones and sand,
– And we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks and the banks of Newfoundland!

* 2 *

We had one Jimmy Lynch from Ballyna-hinch, Mike Murphy and Jim Moore.
‘Twas in the winter of ‘seventy-two those boys they suffered sore.
They pawned their clothes in Liverpool, then they sold them our of hand,
Never thinking of cold nor”-westers on the banks of Newfoundland.

* 3 *

We had a lady passenger, Bridget Murphy was her name.
From her I’d promised marriage; on me she had a claim.
She tore up her flannel peticoats and made stockin’s for my hands,
For she said she couldn’t see her true love freeze on the banks of Newfoundland.

* 4 *

I had a dream the other night, I dreamt that I was home.
I dreamt that me and my true love where in old Marylebone.
That we were on old England’s shore with a jug of ale in hand,
But when I woke, my heart was broke on the banks of Newfoundland.

* 5 *

It’s now we’re passing the Virgin Rocks and stormy winds do blow,
With a crowd of sailors on the deck a-shoveling off the snow.
We’ll wash her down, we’ll scrub her deck with holystone and sand,
And we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks on the Banks of Newfounland!

* 5 *

It’s now we’re passing Sandy Hook, and the cold winds they still blow.
With a tug-boat right ahead of us, into New York we’ll go.
We’ll fill our glasses brimming full, with a jug of rum in hand,
For while we’re here, we can’t be there on the Banks of Newfounland!

Related to this Forebitter

The Banks O Newfnland – Forebitter

June 6, 2024June 6, 2024 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Banks O Newfnland – Forebitter

“The Banks O Newfnland” as described by Stan Hugill, is usually capstan shanty, but this version was sung as forebitter. The song was given to Stan Hugill by Mr. D. McDonald of Glasgow.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

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, 413).

The Record of The Banks O Newfnland – Forebitter

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Banks O Newfnland – Forebitter

Oh, come, all you roving sailors, and sporting blades, beware,
When you jump on board a packet ship, no dungaree jumpers wear,
But always have good monkey-jackets at your command
Think of the cold nor’westers on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

* 2 *

Now there was one Lynch from Ballynahinch, Jim Kane and Mick O’Moore,
It was in the year of sixty, the mariners suffered sore,
With all their clothes in Liverpool, they’d spent money with either hand,
Not thinking of the cold nor’westers on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

* 3 *

Oh, there was a girl on board that ship, Kate Conner was her name,
I promised I would marry her, for on me she had a claim.
She tore up her flannel petticoat, to make mittens for my hands,
For I won’t see my true love freezing on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

* 4 *

Oh, now we’re off the Hook, me boys, the land all covered with snow,
The towboat is achead and to New York soon we’ll go.
We’ll scrub her deck, we’ll scrub her down with holystones and sand,
So we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

* 5 *

Oh, I had a dream, a happy dream, I dreamt that I was home,
Alongside of my own true love and she in Marybone,
A jug of ale all on my knee, a glass of ale in my hand,
But when I woke my heart was broke, on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

Related to this Forebitter

Van Diemans Land

May 22, 2024May 22, 2024 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Van Diemans Land

“Van Diemans Land” is a song often sung in Liverpool and as a forebitter, and very popular on Liverpool ships. The song was originally a shore ballad, and under the title “The banks of Newf’n’land” a parody of an older forebitter, and was sung as the capstan song. It tells of the suffering of poachers transported to Van Diemen’s Land.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 411).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 411).

The Record of the Van Diemans Land

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Van Diemans Land – Forebitter

Ye ramblin’ boys of Liverpool, I’ll have ye to be ware,
‘Tis when ye go a huntin’ wid yer dog, yer gun, yer snore,
Watch out boys for the game keepers, keep yer dog at your command,
Just think on all them hard–ships, goin’ to Van Dieman’s Land.

* 2 *

We had two Irish lads on board, Mickey Murphy an’ Paddy Malone,
And they were both the stoutest friends that ever a man could own,
But the gamekeeper he’d caught them, and from ol’ England’s strand,
They were seven years transported for plough Van Dieman’s Land.

* 3 *

We had on board a lady fair, Bridget Reilly wuz her name,
An’ she wuz sent from Liverpool for a-playin’ of the game.
Out captain fell in love wid her and he married her out of hand,
And she gave us all good usage, boys, goin’ to Van Dieman’s Land.

* 4 *

The moment that we landed there, upon that fatal shore,
The planters they inspected us, some fifty score or more,
They marched us off like hosses, an’ they sold us out of hand,
Then yoked us to the plough, me boys, for to plough Van Dieman’s Land.

* 5 *

As I lay in me bunk one night, a-dreamin’ all alone,
I dreamt I wuz in Liverpool, ‘way back in Marybone,
Wid me own true love beside me, an’ a jug o’ ale in me hand,
Then awoke so broken-hearted, lyin’ on Van Dieman’s Land.

Related to this Forebitter