Interesting Facts about the John Bull
“John Bull” is a hand-over-hand song used for stays’ls and other light sails. There is only one known version of this song, and it comes from Sigurd Sternvall’s “Sang Under Segel” (1935) (1st ed, p. 356). Sternvall, in his book, says, ” It was a very popular ditty and ship-shanty which was fine to use at hand-over-hand or ‘palma’ (palming?) as it was called …” Stan Hugill also says that he does not have proof that it was used aboard British ships.
I will reconstruct this song as the hand-over-hand shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).
The Record of the John Bull
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
John Bull
John Bull lives in England Taffy lives in Wales
Sandy lives in Scotland, Where there is all the girls
But Paddy lives in Ireland as ev’ry body Knows
There never was a coward Where the little shown oak grows