Ranzo Ray is one of the shanties with the word Ranzo in chorus. The seamen what Stan Hugill learned this song from said it was a hauling song. Stan Hugill thinks it was also singing at the capstan but was much more popular as a halyard song. This version Stan Hugill learned from Harding Barbadian, he also informed us about this version was used as the halyard shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 249). I try to recreate this song from hearted Stan Hugill’s version from the album “Shanties From The Seven Seas” (1962), with The York & Albany Crew.
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 249).
The Record of the Ranzo Ray C
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
Ranzo Ray C
We’re homeward bound from China, oh, aboard a Limey Liner –, – RANzo, Ranzo, AWAY, a way! We’re gettin’ out our long tall blues ter waltz the gals a -round – Timme HI-lo, me Ranzo RAY!
* 2 *
We’ve ploughed the whole world over an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover. We’ve ploughed the over, like a proper deepsea rover,
* 3 *
We’ll pass the cliffs of Dover, oh, an’ soon we’ll be in clover, We’ll anchor in the Downs, for we’re bound for London Town.
* 4 *
We’re loaded down with courios from China an’ the Indias, We’ll soon be seein’ all the gals, the gals we do adore.
* 5 *
We’ll drink an’ have our fun, sez every jolly Jonny, The gals are waitin’ on the pier – the soon will have our money.
Ranzo Ray B is one of the shanties with the word Ranzo in chorus. The seamen what Stan Hugill learned this song from said it was a hauling song. Stan Hugill thinks it was also singing at the capstan but was much more popular as a halyard song. This version Stan Hugill learned from Liverpool Irish Seamen, he also informed about this version was used as the halyard shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 248).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 248).
The Record of the Ranzo Ray B
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
Ranzo Ray B
The bully boat’s a comin’, Don’t ye hear the paddles rollin’? – RANzo, Ranzo, a WAY, a way! The bully boot’s a comin’, down the river she’s a floatin’, – RANzo, Ranzo RAY!
* 2 *
The bully boat’s a-comin’, down the Mississippi floatin’, The bully boat’s a-comin’, an’ the gals is all a-waitin’,
* 3 *
I’m bound away ter leave yer, but I never will deceive yer, I’m bound away ter leave yer, my half-pay I’m gonna leave yer.
* 4 *
We’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners We’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners
* 5 *
We bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter. We bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter.
* 6 *
We’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors. We’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors.
* 7 *
We’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries. We’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries.
* 8 *
We’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager. We’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager.
* 9 *
When I come again ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer. When I come again ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer.
* 10 *
We’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan. We’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan.
* 11 *
As I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’. As I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’.
* 12 *
We’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover. We’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.
Ranzo Ray A is one of the shanties with the word Ranzo in the chorus. The seamen that Stan Hugill learned this song from said it was a hauling song. This shanty was also sung as the capstan shanty but much more popular as a halyard song. Stan Hugill says there were three ways of singing this shanty, the first two very popular among white seamen, and the third being the Negro way of singing it. All those versions are actually Negro origin. It is one of the many shanties stemming from the cotton Hoosiers of Mobile, who may, in turn, have had it from the rivermen of the Mississippi or Ohio.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 247, 248).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 247, 248).
The Record of the Ranzo Ray A
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
Ranzo Ray A
Oh, the bully boat’s a comin’, Don’t ye hear the paddles rollin’? – RANzo, Raanzo, HURray, hurray! Oh the bully boot’s a comin’, down the river she’s a bowlin’ – Ranzo, Ranzo RAY!
* 2 *
Ooh, the bully boat’s a-comin’, down the Mississippi floatin’, Ooh, the bully boat’s a-comin’, an’ the gals is all a-waitin’,
* 3 *
Ooh, I’m bound away ter leave yer, but I never will deceive yer. I’m bound away ter leave yer, my half-pay I’m gonna leave yer.
* 4 *
Ooh, we’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners Ooh, we’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners
* 5 *
Oh, we bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter. Oh, we bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter.
* 6 *
Ooh, we’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors. Ooh, we’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors.
* 7 *
Oh, we’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries. Oh, we’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries.
* 8 *
Oh, we’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager. Oh, we’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager.
* 9 *
When I come again, ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer. When I come again, ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer.
* 10 *
Oh, we’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan. Oh, we’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan.
* 11 *
Oh, as I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’. Oh, as I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’.
* 12 *
Oh, we’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover. Oh, we’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.
This is another beautiful Sicilian fisherman song comes from Alberto Favara “Canti della terra e del mare di Sicilia”(1921), “Cialoma Di Li Tunnari”. The tune of this beautiful song is reminiscent of the “Boys and Girls Come Out to Play” and its chorus “E amola, e amola”, certainly lends itself to a good drag on a rope.
The source of this fishermen song
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 247).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 247).
The Record of the Cialoma Di Li Tunnari
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.
When we talk about the “Reuben Ranzo” halyard shanty, we can find in shanty collections books, many interesting theories about the main character of the song. Also, Stan Hugill also has the theory about who was a Reuben Ranzo. The origin of Ranzo and his shanty could be Sicilian? An emigrant, perhaps, to Yankee land who took with him a song he used to sing when hauling in the long tunny nets when he was a fisherman in the middle of the sea? Stan Hugill says: “Hence his fine fisherman’s song was rejuvenated as a deep-sea sailorman’s shanty. I wonder… For here I present a fisherman’s song used at a similar job of work to that of hauling on halyards, a song for raising and hauling in the tunny nets of the fishermen of Sicily.” The tune is identical to that of Reuben Ranzo and the pulls came in the same places.
The source of this fishermen song
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 245, 246).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 245, 246).
The Record of the Brindisi Di Marinai
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
Brindisi Di Marinai
‘Sciucamunni ’sta lampa! – Lampabbo! Lampa! Di ccà nun sinni jemu – Lampabbo! Lampa!
* 2 *
Si ’sta lampa”ni l’asciucamul! E nui rusolio vulemu;
* 3 *
La misculanza ci l’amua fari! E nui ccà semu;
* 4 *
Di ccà nun si nni jèmu. ’Sciucamunni’sta lampa!
* 5 *
Saluti ci avi a dari A cu’ ni fa travagghiari.
* 6 *
E ci l’avemu a’ mmugghiari; Un biscutteddu n’avi a dari!
Interesting Facts about the Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall version
Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall version is a shanty built around the dirtiest “sailor” who shipped ever – Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers. Stan Hugill took whole this beautiful shanty from Captain Sigurd Sternvall’s book, “Sang Under Segel” (1935). Fortunately, I own a copy of Sternvall’s book . The song we can find on pages 339 and 340, musical notation is also from Strnvall’s book. Here is original Strnvall’s comment to this song:
“None of the old haul songs have been as popular as Ruben Ranzo. Therefore, it is also available in many languages and in many variants. Originally, it’s an American vision over the hated “stow aways” (blind passengers) and “Western ocean packet rats” who were a kind of emigrant hikers or something worse. In the form it has been written down, it has been sung by both Norwegian and Swedish sailors. The one you get to see print is of the kind modest kind. The song is to be sung happily and tragically.
The hauling men shout out their “Ranzo, boys! Ranzo!” in step with the straw as they stretch in the fall. “Cube” is pneumonia and “herring” still. “A shilling became his rent”, enlight English maritime practice the lowest rent a “working emigrant” could be written for on the ship list. “So the shoes lose their duty”, here means that bone chips remained in the deck where he fell. “He was eaten by the black cat”, is synonymous with cold sores.”
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).
The Record of the Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall version
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
Reuben Ranzo
Hans namn var Ruben Ranzo. – RANZO, boys, RANZO! Å Ruben va ingen sjöman. – RANZO, boys, RANZO!
* 2 *
Han tjänt som skräddarlärling. Av juling fiek han täring.
* 3 *
Å Ranzo fick the notion en dag to cross the ocean.
* 4 *
Så från en Bond Street tailor han shipped on board a whaler.
* 5 *
En shilling blev hans hyra. Men åt han gjorde för fyra.
* 6 *
Han slog för skepparns kärring, en sur och saltad herring.
* 7 *
Så ramlan ner från riggen, så skorna tappa pliggen.
Interesting Facts about the Reuben Ranzo – Patterson version
Now, Reuben Ranzo – Patterson version is a shanty built around the dirtiest “sailor” who ever shipped – Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to the some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers. Again as Stan Hugill mentioned, if we talk about the most unusual version of any shanty we know that will be usually Patterson’s version, the refrains of his shanties in the main being longer than those normally used, and he also has a trick of putting short refrains where normally they don’t exist. So yes, reconstructing this shanty will be a really difficult task, and for one hundred percent I’m sure from the time of the published Patterson book, there is no record of this shanty surviving. During the reconstruction of this sea shanty, first of all, I will follow the most faithful reconstruction of this shanty in terms of its usefulness as a halyard shanty. This version is given to us by J. E. Patterson in “The Sea’s Anthology” 1913, labeled this song as ‘hoisting’.
The source of the Reuben Ranzo – Patterson version
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 240).
The lyrics: “The Sea’s Anthology” by J. E. Patterson (1913).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).
The Record of the Reuben Ranzo – Patterson version
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 full lyrics
Reuben Ranzo
Sing a song of Ranzo, boys, sing— – RANZO, boys, RANZO! Sing a song of Ranzo, boys, sing— – SING a song of RANZO!
* 2 *
O-o, you know my Ruben Ranzo— O-o, you know my Ruben Ranzo—
* 3 *
Ranzo took a notion to sail upon the ocean — Ranzo took a notion to sail upon the ocean —
* 4 *
He was a New York tailor, thought he’d be a sailor — He was a New York tailor, thought he’d be a sailor —
* 5 *
So he shipped himself on a Yankee whaler— So he shipped himself on a Yankee whaler—
* 6 *
She sailed away in a whistling breeze— She sailed away in a whistling breeze—
* 7 *
She was bound high up on the northern seas — She was bound high up on the northern seas —
* 8 *
O poor Ranzo, thought he’d be a sailor— O poor Ranzo, thought he’d be a sailor—
Now, Poor Old Reuben Ranzo is a shanty built around the dirtiest “sailor” who ever shipped – Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to the some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers. This version comes from Cecil J. Sharp – “English Folk-Chanteys” (1914), is in Sharps’s book in the chapter “Pulling Chanteys” on page 37. Here oryginal comment from Sharp’s book:
No. 32. POOR OLD REUBEN RANZO. Sung by Mr. John Short, at Watchet. This chantey is a very generally known one, and versions of it are to be found in all the chief Collections. Who Reuben Ranzo was no one seems to know ; Mr. Whall suggests that ” Ranzo ” may be a corruption of ” Lorenzo.”
* It is possible that English chanteymen learned the name from Scandinavian sailors, for I am told that Danish sailors often sing about Daniel Rantzau (1529-69), who commanded the Danish forces in the seven-years (or three- crown) war with Sweden (1563-70).
The source of the Poor Old Reuben Ranzo
The music: “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914).
The lyrics: “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).
The Record of the Poor Old Reuben Ranzo
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
Poor Old Reuben Ranzo. (Cecil Sharp)
O poor old Reuben Ranzo, – RANZO, boys, RANZO! O poor old Reuben Ranzo, – RANZO, boys, RANZO!
* 2 *
O ! Ranzo was no sailor. O ! Ranzo was no sailor.
* 3 *
He shipped on board a whaler. He shipped on board a whaler.
* 4 *
He shipped with Captain Taylor. He shipped with Captain Taylor.
* 5 *
The man that shot the sailor. The man that shot the sailor.
* 6 *
He could not do his duty. He could not do his duty.
* 7 *
He couldn’t boil the coffee. He couldn’t boil the coffee.
* 8 *
The Captain being a good man. The Captain being a good man.
* 9 *
He taught him navigation. He taught him navigation.
* 10 *
We took him to the gratings. We took him to the gratings.
* 11 *
And gave him nine and thirty. And gave him nine and thirty.
* 12 *
O! That was the end of Ranzo. O! That was the end of Ranzo.
Interesting Facts about the Reuben Ranzo II – Doerflinger
Now, Reuben Ranzo II – Doerflinger is a shanty built around the dirtiest “sailor” who ever shipped – Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to the some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers. Here is the Doerflinger version, his Shantyman sends him to South Georgia, which Stan Hugill think is an anachronism since Antarctic whaling didn’t commence until between the two World Wars after the South Sea cachalot became nearly extinct and new-fangled whalers began to search for a blue whale. The song that Stan Hugill mentioned is the “Reuben Ranzo (II)” on page 24 of the Doerflingers – “Shantymen And Shantyboys” (1951).
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 242).
The Record of the Reuben Ranzo II – Doerflinger
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
Reuben Ranzo (II) – Doerflinger
Oh, pore old Roving Ranzo, – Hay, RANZO, boys, a RANZO! Oh, pore old Roving Ranzo, – RANZO, boys, a RANZO!
* 2 *
Now, Ranzo he was no sailor. Now, Ranzo he was no sailor.
* 3 *
So pore old Roving Ranzo, So pore old Roving Ranzo,
* 4 *
Now they shipped him on board of a whaler! Now they shipped him on board of a whaler!
* 5 *
Now the captain he liked Ranzo. Now the captain he liked Ranzo.
* 6 *
So the captain taugh him how to read and write. So the captain taugh him how to read and write.
* 7 *
He taught him navigation. He taught him navigation.
* 8 *
When he got his first mate’s papers, When he got his first mate’s papers,
* 9 *
He became a terror to whalers! He became a terror to whalers!
* 10 *
He was known all over the world as He was known all over the world as
* 11 *
As the worst old bastard on the seas! As the worst old bastard on the seas!
* 12 *
He would take his ship to Georgiay, He would take his ship to Georgiay,
* 13 *
And there he’d drag for sperm whale. And there he’d drag for sperm whale.
* 14 *
He lost the only ship he had. His first and last and only ship
* 15 *
Was the “Morgan”, and she’s known everywhere. Was the “Morgan”, and she’s known everywhere.
* 16 *
Now, he’s gone to hell and we’re all glad! Now, he’s gone to hell and we’re all glad!
* 17 *
Now, I’ve told you he was no sailor. Now, I’ve told you he was no sailor.
* 18 *
He was a New York tailor. He was a New York tailor.
* 19 *
Whether a tailor or a sailor, Whether a tailor or a sailor,
Interesting Facts about the Reuben Ranzo – Hugills version
Now, Reuben Ranzo – Hugills version is a shanty built around the dirtiest “sailor” who ever shipped – Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to the some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers.
An intriguing fact about this song was theories about who it was the Reuben Ranzo, some shanty collectors have different theories about it. So namely were four theories: 1 – He was a native of the Azores, of Portuguese descent, and shipped in a whaler. 2 – He was a famous Danish hero of the sixteen century, a certain Daniel Rantzau. 3 – C. F. Smith claimed it was a Russian or Polish Jew with a name like Ronzoff – his “Christian” name of Reuben would certainly suit the bill. 4 – He was American Latin, a “greenhorn”, hence his first name “Reuben” – “Reub” or “Rube” is still used in the States to mean yokel or farmer. This is the Stan Hugill version it is the combination of the verses given from A. Spencer, ex-American barque “Monongahela” and the Bosun of the “Garthpool”.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 240).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 240, 241, 242).
The Record of the Reuben Ranzo – Hugills version
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.
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.
