Other Hauling Shanty

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Cheerily Man – Catting the anchor shanty

March 17, 2023February 9, 2023 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Cheerily Man – Catting the anchor shanty

“Cheerily Man” is probably the most primitive, and one of the oldest of all these heaving and hauling songs of the sea. This song was really obscene, so most of the verses were camouflaged. This particular version is described by Stan Hugill in the description of the “Cheerily Man”, but the description tells us that this song can be used for more jobs than only halyards, namely can be also used for cutting the anchor.
Cutting an anchor is the job that happened when the anchor was about the water line beside the board, so sailors connected a line (tackle blocks) between the ring on the head of the anchor and the cat head, and catting started when they start pulling the rope, and at the same time loose bit the anchor chain used for raise anchor up to the board.
This heavy job required long steady pulls, so this shanty is a perfect fit for this job. The word “cheerily” means “quickly” and was often used at capstan and halyards when exhorting the men to harder efforts. “Cheerily” when used in shanties has to mean that heave or haul is slow and steady.
This song will be reconstructed as the “Catting the anchor shanty” (this work is definitely a long-haul shanty). For this reconstruction, I will use only additional six verses from page 314 of the “Shanties from the Seven Seas”, which according to Stan Hugill sang specifically only for catting the anchor.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 313).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 314).

The Record of the Cheerily Man – Catting the anchor shanty

The musical notation

And the full lyrics

Cheerily Man – Catting the anchor Shanty

Haul all together, aye yeo,
– Cheerily man!
Haul for good weather, aye yeo – o,
– Cheerily man!
She’s light as a feather, aye yeo – o,
– Cheerily man!
Oh, hauley aye yeo!
– Cheerily man!

* 2 *

To the cathead,
We’ll shift the dead,
She’s heavy as lead.
Oh, hauley …

* 3 *

We’ll haul again,
With might an’ main,
Pay out more chain.

* 4 *

Chain stopper bring,
Pass through the ring,
Oh, haul an’ sing.

* 5 *

She’s up to the sheave,
At the cathead we’ll leave,
Soon the tackle unreeve,

* 6 *

Pull one an’ all,
On the ol’ catfall,
An’ then belay all!

Related to this sea shanty

Rise Me Up From Down Below

Johnny Come-A-Long

Johnny Bawker (Sweating-up)

March 17, 2023November 20, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Johnny Bawker

“Johnny Bawker” is another shanty from Stan Hugill’s “Johnny” shanties family. It was the shanty used for sheets. It was used for ‘sweating up’, i.e. to give a final drag on a halyard to gain the last inch, at tacks and sheets. Stan Hugill also mentions that this song was used for bunting sails, quite a unique theory because this job was considered the prerogative of “Paddy Doyle” shanty (we don’t know if Stan Hugill saw this song in action when sails were bunting or if this is only the theory). Another interesting fact is that the final “DO” was grunted out staccato, or rather the word was sung to its correct note and then a rising, gasped-out ‘UGH” would follow as the pull came.

And in end due to the specifics of the “sweetening up” job (final pulls), would not take more than three or four verses at the most. For my reconstruction, I select five verses which are more than enough for the described job.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 289).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 289, 290).

The Record of the Johnny Bawker

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Johnny Bawker

Ooh! do, me Johnny Bowker, Come rock ‘n’ roll me over,
– Oh do me Johnny Bowker do!

* 2 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, Come roll me down to Dover,

* 3 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, lets’ all go on a Jamboree.

* 4 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, the watches are cala-la-shee.

* 5 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, the chief mate he’s a croaker.

* 6 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, the Old Man he’s a soaker.

* 7 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, the bosun’s never sober.

* 8 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, I bet ye are a rover.

* 9 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, the he is a tailor.

* 10 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, the chips he ain’t no sailor.

* 11 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, come roll me in the clover.

* 12 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, come rock an’ roll ‘er over.

* 13 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, from Calais down to Dover.

* 14 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, in London lives yer lover.

* 15 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, the packet she is rollin’.

* 16 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, come haul away the bowline.

* 17 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, we’ll either break or bend it.

* 18 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, we’re men enough to mend it.

* 19 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, get round the corner, Sally.

* 20 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, let me an’ you live tally.

* 21 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, we’ll haul away an’ bend ‘er.

* 22 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, me sweethart’s young an’ tender.

* 23 *

O do, me Johnny Bowker, one more pull then choke ‘er.

Related to this sea shanty

Rise Me Up From Down Below – Doerflinger

Johnny Come-A-Long

March 17, 2023November 9, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Johnny Come-A-Long

“Johnny Come-A-Long”, a stamp-‘n’-go shanty popular in German ships. Stan Hugill took this shanty from “Knurrhahn” Seemannslieder und Shanties (Zweiter Band) by Richard Baltzer; Klaus Prigge; Knurrhahn-Lotsen-Gesangverein (1936). In comparison, Stan Hugill’s version is slightly different in text and almost identical in music to the “Knurrhahn” version, also title “Knurrhahn” is different (The title from “Knurrhahn” is “Johnny” you can find on page 90 and 91).

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 286).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 273).

The Record of the Johnny Come-A-Long

My reconstruction will imitate “stamp-n-go” shanty.

Johnny Come-A-Long - Stamp And Go Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Johnny Come-A-Long

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, John,
Come along, come along,
Oh, Johnny, Johnny, John, come along,
Dont stand there like a silly ol’ fool,
don’t stand there a lookin’ so cool,
Dont be shy of the ladies,
an’ the teeth in his mouth want bang-bang!

– Down by the sea, Where the watermelon grow,
– Back to my home, I shall not go,
– And shall I dream of love’s sweet song,
– Who can be happier than a sailor tonight?

* 2 *

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, John,
Was a sailorman,
He’d bin around all day,
Jolin’ with the ladies, playin’ hide’n’seek,
Not a penny to pay for to have a little peek,
Happy as the day went high-diddle-dee,
An’ the girls all shouted bang-bang!

* 3 *

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, John,
In the garden with his gun,
Monkey’s been a-playin’ all the day,
Johnny takes his gun and the gun was loaded,
Johnny took his gun and the gun exploded,
High-diddle-dee, high-diddle-bum,
An’ he never let it go bang-bang!

* 4 *

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, John,
Git along, git along,
Leave little ladies on the shore,
Keep off, John, leave the girls alone,
Say goodbye an’ sail away for home,
Don’t hang round any more,
An’ his ol’ knees went bang-bang!

Related to this sea shanty

Rise Me Up From Down Below – Doerflinger

March 17, 2023October 27, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Rise Me Up From Down Below – Doerflinger

“Rise Me Up From Down Below”, stamp-‘n’-go shanty. Doerflinger took this song from “Lemon” Curtis, and says it is one of his favored songs. Negro origin shanty which combined the functions of a regular halyard shanty and a “walk away (stamp-‘n’-go)” song. In hoisting topgallants to this shanty, the men would first take two “drags” on the rope and then “walk away” with it. The pulls came on “WHISKEY Oh, JOHNny Oh,” while the rest of the chorus was sung as the men stamped along the deck gripping the halyard.

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 281, 282).

The Record of the Rise Me Up From Down Below – Doerflinger

Rise Me Up From Down Below (Doerflinger) - Stamp And Go Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Rise Me Up From Down Below – Doerflinger

Oh, I come from the world below.
That is where the cocks do crow.

– Whisky O, Johnny O!
– Oh, Rise me up from down below,
– Down below, Oh Oh Oh Oh!
– Up aloft this yard must go, John.
– Rise me up from down below.

* 2 *

I come from the world below!
That is where the fires do roar.

Related to this sea shanty

Drunken Sailor (A)

Donkey Riding

Roll The Old Chariot (Stamp-n-go)

Rise Me Up From Down Below

March 17, 2023October 24, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Rise Me Up From Down Below

Here is another great stamp-‘n’-go shanty, “Rise Me Up From Down Below”. According to Harding Barbarian, Stan Hugill’s shipmate this song was very popular on Yankee ships with Coloured crews. Harding also said that the tune is the Jamaican work song taken to sea by West Indian seamen and modify it to their needs.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 281).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 281).

The Record of the Rise Me Up From Down Below

Rise Me Up From Down Below - Stamp And Go Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Rise Me Up From Down Below

I’m just up from the world below,
That is where the cocks do crow,

– Whisky O, Johnny O!
– Rise me up from down below,
– Down below, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!
– Rise me up from down below, boys
– Rise me up from down below!

* 2 *

I an the ghost of the Bertie Binns,
Cut down wuz I for me ‘orrible sins.

* 3 *

Me only home is down below,
They’ve let me out for an hour or so.

* 4 *

An’ when the cocks begin to crow,
‘Tis time for me to roll ‘n’ go.

* 5 *

Back in a hurry to the southern shore,
That is where the fires do roar.

* 6 *

I’ll tell yuh, boys ’tis hot in hell,
An’ I should know the place damn well.

* 7 *

An’ now the bleedin’ sail is set,
Back to me hole I’ll have ter get.

Related to this sea shanty

Drunken Sailor (A)

Donkey Riding

Roll The Old Chariot (Stamp-n-go)

John Dameray (Harding)

March 17, 2023October 6, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the John Dameray (Harding)

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 273).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 273).

The Record of the John Dameray (Harding)

My reconstruction will imitate “stamp-n-go” shanty.

John Dameray (Harding) - Stamp And Go Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

John Dameray (Harding)

Around Cape Horn we go – o,
– Johnny, come-down the backstay,
Trough wind an’ rain an’ snow – o,
– Johnny, come-down the backstay,

– Johny, come down the backstay, John Damaray-ay
– Johnny, come down the backstay, John Damaray-ay,
– Johny, come down the backstay, John Damaray-ay,

* 2 *

Hoist her from down below,
Through wind an’ rain an’ sno-ow,

* 3 *

Oh, shake her as she ro-olls,
For John’s a bully so-oul.

* 4 *

“Tis time now for our smoko,
The Ol’ Man he’s gone loco.

* 5 *

When I gits me feet ashore,
From sea I won’t go mo-ore.

* 6 *

From sea I will steer cle-ear,
An’ stick to drinkin’ beer.

Related to this sea shanty

John Dameray (Silsbee)

March 17, 2023October 2, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the John Dameray (Silsbee)

This shanty is known as “Johnny, Come Down the Backstay” or “John Dameray”. Stan Hugill claims it was a stamp-‘n’-go shanty, and a favorite in Yankee ships according to his shipmate Harding Barbadian, the Barbarian. This particular version comes from William Main Doerflinger in his “Shantymen And Shantyboys” (1951). William Doerflinger mentioned this song was sung at the braces, on American vessels, according to a manuscript by the late Nathaniel Silsbee of Cohasset, Massachusetts. Mr. Silsbee learned this shanty at sea in the 1880s and set down the words in 1893. Song refers to the sailor stunt of sliding down the backstays – a quick way of getting on deck from high aloft.

The source of this sea shanty

The Record of the John Dameray (Silsbee)

My reconstruction will imitate “stamp-n-go” shanty.

John Dameray (Silsbee) - Stamp And Go Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

John Dameray (Silsbee)

Aloft we all must go-oh,
– John come down the backstay,
In hail and frost and snow-oh,
– John come down the backstay,
– John Dameray!

– John-Dameray! – John come down the backstay,
– John-Dameray! – John come down the backstay,
– John-Dameray!

– John-Dameray! – John come down the backstay,
– John-Dameray! – John come down the backstay,
– John–Dameray!

* 2 *

My ma she wrote to me,
“My son, come home from sea.”

* 3 *

Got no monay and no clo’es,
Am knocking out of doors.

* 4 *

My home I soon will be in,
And then we’ll have some gin.

* 5 *

From sea I will keep clear,
And live by selling beer.

Related to this sea shanty

Cant Ye Hilo? (short drag)

March 16, 2023August 31, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Young Girls Cant You Hilo

The “Cant Ye Hilo” is a hauling shanty. According to Stan Hugill, it has West Indian origin, and he gets this shanty from his West Indian friend Harding the Barbarian, Barbadian.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 265).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 265).

The Record of the Cant Ye Hilo?

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Cant Ye Hilo?

Young gals love to dance wi’ Jack,
– Young gals can’t ye Hilo?
I have al-ways had me whack,
– Young gals can’t ye Hilo?

* 2 *

Youn gals, good gals, bad gals, O!
I will take ’em all in tow,

* 3 *

Love ’em both old an’ young,
Thin gals, fat gals, let ’em all come.

* 4 *

When I wuz a young man in me prime,
I chased them coloured gals all the time.

* 5 *

Dance, gals dance, till the break o’ day,
Let’s all dance our cares away.

* 6 *

High brown, dark brown, yeller gals, O!
Let’s all go on a big Hilo!

* 7 *

Young gals, young gals, young gals, O,
Rouse ‘er up an’ let’s Hilo!

Related to this sea shanty

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

March 16, 2023August 29, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Young Girls Cant You Hilo

Here hauling shanty “Young Girls, Cant You Hilo?”, this particular version comes from Captain Robinson from his article in “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28). Judging from the shanties of Capitan Robinson, Stan Hugill claims that Captain John Robinson spent most of his time in the West Indian, Gulf Ports, and West Coast of South America Trades.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28) by Capitan Robinson (1st ed: p 264).
The lyrics: “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28) by Capitan Robinson (1st ed: p 264).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 264).

The Record of this sea shanty

Young Girls, Cant You Hilo? - Short Drag Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Young Girls, Cant You Hilo?

Young-girls, Young Girls, Young Girls, Ho!
– Young Girls, Can’t You Hilo!?
Young-girls, Young Girls, Young Girls, Ho!
– Young Girls, Can’t You Hilo!?

Related to this sea shanty