Recorded Shanties

Horraw For The Blackball Line (Liverpool Jacks Tune)

December 15, 2023March 30, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Horraw For The Blackball Line (Liverpool Jacks Tune)

The Blackball Line of packet ships started in 1816 as an American line running between New York and Liverpool. The ships were small roughly 300 to 400 tons. After 1850 were added ships over a thousand tonnes. Here Horraw version with the melody of a very popular tune with Liverpool Jacks. For this version, I will utilize the first verse from music notation and verses from page 132 of the first edition of “Shanties From The Seven Seas”. This shanty was sung at the capstan or windlass.

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 133).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 133).

The Record of the Horraw For The Blackball Line (Liverpool Jacks Tune)

Horraw For The Blackball Line (Liverpool Jacks Tune) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Horraw For The Blackball Line (Liverpool Jacks Tune)

I served me time in the Blackball Line,
– Timme way, hay, a-way, yah!
In the Blackball Line I served me time,
– Hurraw for the Blackball Line!

* 2 *

Oh, around Cape Horn with a mainskys’l set,
Around Cape Stiff an’ we’re all wringing wet.

* 3 *

Oh, around Cape Stiff in the month o’ May,
Oh, around Cape Horn is a very long way.

* 4 *

It’s when the Blackballer is ready for sea,
The sights in the fo’c’sle is funny to see.

* 5 *

There’s tinkers and sogers an’ fakirs an’ all
All ship for prime sailors aboard the Blackball.

* 6 *

Now the packet ship she is crowdin’ on sail,
The wind from the south’ard is blowin’ a gale.

* 7 *

An’ when we git to ol’ New York Town,
We’ll meet ol’ Patrick an’ drink till we drown.

Related to this sea shanty

Horraw For The Blackball Line

June 25, 2023March 27, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Horraw For The Blackball Line

Horraw For The Blackball Line was sung at the capstan or windlass All those shanties with words “Hurrah”, “Horray”, or “Horraw” in the refrain or chorus were known by sailors as “horraw choruses” and very often was said that “our wild horraw chorus soon raised the mud hook (or hoisted the tops’l)”. Here is one of the best “horraw choruses” shanty.

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 131).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 131).

The Record of the Horraw For The Blackball Line

Horraw For The Blackball Line - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Horraw For The Blackball Line

In the Blackball Line I served me time,
– To me way, hay, hoo, ro, yah
In the Blackball Line I served me time,
– Hooraw for the Blackball Line!

* 2 *

Blackball ships are good an’ true
They are the ships for me an’ you

* 3 *

That’s the Line where ye can shine
That’s the Line where I wasted me prime.

* 4 *

If yer wish to find a real goldmine,
Just take a trip on a Blackball ship

* 5 *

Just take a trip to Liverpool,
To Liverpool that Yankee school

* 6 *

Yankee sailors ye’ll see there,
With red-topped boots an’ short-cut hair.

* 7 *

There’s Liverpool Pat with his tarpaulin hat,
An’ Paddy Magee the Packet Rat

* 8 *

There was once a Blackball ship,
That fourteen knots an hour could slip.

* 9 *

They’ll carry ye along through the ice an’ snow,
They’ll thake ye where the winds don’t blow.

* 10 *

I’ve seen the Line both rise an’ shine,
An’ crossed the line in ’em many a time.

* 11 *

Oh, drink a health to the Blackball Line,
Their ships are stout an’ their men are fine.

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French) – Brake Windlass Shanty

December 14, 2023March 27, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso is another French hauling shanty that originally comes from Captain A. Hayet’s version (Chansons de Board; 1927). Fortunately, I found the book by A. Hayet mentioned by Stan Hugill. This song is a combination of “Goodbye, Fare-ye-well” and “Blow The Man Down”. Unusually consist of four solos and refrains. H. Jacques says that this shanty was a traditional one among the seamen of the sailing ships which loaded saltpeter in Chilean ports, but the song is much older, potentially beginning of the nineteenth century, sung by whalers of the south seas.

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the brake windlass shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Chansons de Board” by Armand Hayet (1st ed p 52, 53, 54). In the comparison process, I did discover some of the musical notations were different than in Stan Hugill’s book, so I took precedence of older sources, and for reconstruction used original notes from “Chansons de Board”. This shanty I will try to reconstruct this in the original version of Captain A. Hayet’s “Chansons de Board”.

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 129, 130).

The Record of the Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

Hardi! les gars, vire au guindeau
– Good bye, farewell!
– Good bye, farewell!
Hardi! les gars, adieu Bordeaux!
– Hourra! o-h! Mexico!
– 0h! -oh! oh!
Au Cap Horn il ne fera pas chaud
– Haul away, he!
– Oula tchalez!
A faire la peche au cachalot
– Hal’ matelot
– He! ho! hisse he! ho!

* 2 *

Plus d’un y laissere sa peau
– Good bye, farewell!
– Good bye, farewell!
Adieu misere, adieu bateau!
– Hourra! oh! Mexico!
– 0h! oh! oh!
Et nous irons a Valparaiso
– Haul away, he!
– Oula tchalez!
Ou d’autres laisseront leurs os
– Hal’ matelot
– He! ho! hisse he! ho!

* 3 *

Ceux qui r’viendront pavillon haut
– Good bye, farewell!
– Good bye, farewell!
C’est premier brin de matelot
– Hourra! 0h! Mexico!
– 0h! oh! oh!
Pour la bordee ils seront a flot
– Haul away, he!
– Oula tchalez!
Bons pour le rack, la fille, le couteau
– Hal’ matelot
– He! ho! hisse he! ho!

Related to this sea shanty

As-Tu-Connu Le Per’ Lanc’lot (French)

December 14, 2023March 27, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the As-Tu-Connu Le Per’ Lanc’lot

A French shanty As-Tu-Connu Le Per’ Lanc’lot, Stan Hugill learned from Jean Loro a fine French “matelot” who had sailed in many of the “Borde” Vessels. Mentioned French matelot, Johan Halvorsen sang this shanty at halyards. Stan Hugill added to his version several verses from Captain A. Hayet’s version (Chansons de Board; 1927). Fortunately, I found the book by A. Hayet mentioned by Stan Hugill, so I can inform you, that, verses: 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8 come from “Chansons de Board”. What is really interesting to many people is why in French shanties (taking into account French cultural independence ), the English refrain was sung.

This was because, during the American War of Independence (1775), many of New England’s whale ports were blocked by English ships. As a result, many New Bedford whaling families have asked to be moved to Milford Haven and Dunkirk, where they have formed the nucleus of the whaling industry of England and France. This was the reason why many French shanties, especially those sung on whalers, have English choruses.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 127, 128).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 127, 128).

The Record of the As-Tu-Connu Le Per’ Lanc’lot

As-Tu-Connu Le Per' Lanc'lot - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

As-Tu-Connu Le Per’ Lanc’lot

As tu conu le Pere Lancelot?
– GoodBYE, fa-re-well! goodBYE, fa-re-well!
Qui fail la peche aux cachalots,
– HourRA! oh, MexiCO-o-o-o!

* 2 *

Il a trois filles qui font la peau,
Il a trois filles qui font la peau,

* 3 *

L’une a Lorient, l’autre a Bordeaux,
La troisieme est a Colombo,

* 4 *

Il donne la goutte a ses mat’lots,
A coups de barre et de guindeau.

* 5 *

Il mange la viande, nous laiss’ les os,
Il boit du vin et toi de l’eau.

* 6 *

A la manoeuvre le bosco
Te dresse a coups de cabillot.

* 7 *

Le lieutnant t’envoie la-haut.
A coups de bottes dans le dos.

* 8 *

Le lieutnant t’envoie la-haut.
A coups de bottes dans le dos.

Related to this sea shanty

A Long Time Ago (E)

Go odbye Fare-ye-well (B)

De Runer Von Hamborg

Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Norwegian)

December 14, 2023March 27, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Norwegian)

Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Norwegian) was sung at the windlass or capstan when raising the anchor. A Norwegian version from Henrik Wergeland’s “Opsang”. This shanty Stan Hugill learned from seamen Johan Halvorsen in Port Bergen.

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 122).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 124, 125).

The Record of the Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Norwegian)

The full lyrics

Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Norwegian)

Maria vet du nu hvorden?
– Goodbye, fare-ye-well! goodbye, fare-ye-well!
Du nu skal vende din stavn igjen?
– Horraw, me boys, we’re homeward bound!

* 2 *

Naar Kanalen vi passet har,
Og Goodvin Sand vi da blir klar.

* 3 *

Nu skal vi gaa mot kolde nord,
Og hlem til vores gamle mor.

* 4 *

Hun sitter bak de norske fjeld,
Og venter der den lange kveld.

* 5 *

Hun venter paa den elskte søn,
Som kommer hjem saa traet av sjøn.

* 6 *

Med frisk sydvest det gar galant,
Naar alle seil er sat i kant.

* 7 *

Med godt humør og med stor lyst,
Snart ser vi gamle Norgest kyst.

* 8 *

Vor Kaptein han befaler saa;
En mand paa utkik straks at gaa.

* 9 *

Han alt fra merset roper ned:
‘Vi har en lods forut i lae!

* 10 *

‘Bras forre mersseil bak med hast!
Staa klar, et taug til lodsen kast!’

* 11 *

Saa gjør vi godt fast lodsbaaten
‘Nu lods, tag I kommandoen!’

* 12 *

Nu har vi faat vor lods, vor ven,
Hal forre mersseil fuldt igjen!

* 13 *

Nu har vi ombord vor lods
Nu kan vi seile glad vor ko’s.

* 14 *

Saa seiler vi langs laden frem,
Til Bergen der er vores hjem.

* 15 *

Og naar vi er av sjøen kjed,
Vi anker glad paa Bergens red.

* 16 *

Lad styrbords anker gaa med hast,
Og gjør saa vores seil godt fast.

* 17 *

Den sjette mai vi kom derind,
Vi kom for en sydvestlig vind.

* 18 *

Vi haler ind i nummer tre,
Saa faar vi se, hvor det staar te.

* 19 *

Paa Tolboden stod piger fem,
De hilste os velkommen hjem.

* 20 *

Vor styrmand han befaler saa:
‘Vor kjetting agter bringes maa!”

* 21 *

I havnen vi nu tørnet er,
Og snart vi hjem til pigerne ser.

* 22 *

Men først vi lens i pumpen slaar,
Og dertil vi en shanti faar.

Related to this sea shanty

Go odbye Fare-ye-well (B)

California

Ved Ankerhioning (Norwegian)

December 14, 2023March 27, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Ved Ankerhioning

Stan Hugill mentioned the Ved Ankerhioning on page 124; he says, is this is the Norwegian version that Laura Alexandrine Smith gives us in her “The Music of The Waters” (1888). Sailors sing this shanty usually at the capstan. L. A. Smith gives also an English translation:

Solo.–” And the kaiser he sat in his castle so high.
Chorus.–Good-bye, fare you well; good-bye, fare you well.
Solo.–His crimson, my boys! we are homeward bound.
Chorus.–Hurra, my boys, We are homeward bound.”

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 219).

The lyrics: “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 219).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 124).

The Record of the Ved Ankerhioning

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Ved Ankerhioning

Og Keiseren sad paasit Noje Stot.
– Goodbye, fare you well, goodbye, fare you well.
Hans hoirode Kjole den klarham saa goot.
– Hurra, my boys; we are; homeward bound!

Related to this sea shanty

As-Tu-Connu Le Per’ Lanc’lot

California

Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Singurd Sternvall version)

December 14, 2023March 27, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Sigurd Sternvall version)

Stan Hugill on page 124 mentioned the Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Sigurd Sternvall version); he says this is a Swedish version in “Sang under Segel”, and gives us one verse without chorus lines. In big effort and great luck I found this original mentioned book: Singuard Sternvall’s “Sang under Segel” (1935), so now I can sing this mentioned shanty in full 5 verses length. Also, I will use the original music taken from this beautiful book. The original comment to this song in “Sang under Segel” says:

“A very old gang song: sing in my time mostly as a halyard shanty”.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 357, 358).

The lyrics: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935 (1st ed p 357, 358).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 124).

The Record of the Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Sigurd Sternvall version)

Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Singurd Sternvall version) - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

goodbye-fare-ye-well-singurd-sternvall-version music notation

The full lyrics

Goodbye Fare-ye-well (Sigurd Sternvall version)

Oh, fare you well, I wish you well.
– Good-BYE; fare you well, good-BYE; fare you well.
Oh, fare you well, my bonny young lass.
– HooRAY; my boys; we are HOMEward bound!

* 2 *

Oh, don’t you hear the Old Man say:
“We are homeward bound; this very day”.

* 3 *

We are homeward bound; and I hear the sound.
So have on the windlass and make it come round.

* 4 *

Our anchors aweigh; and our sails they are set
and the girls we are leaving; we leave with regret.

* 5 *

She is a flash clipper packet and bound for to go,
with all boys on the towrope she cannot say no.

Related to this shanty

Go odbye Fare-ye-well (B)

De Runer Von Hamborg

Goodbye Fare-ye-well (odd verses collection)

December 14, 2023March 27, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Goodbye Fare-ye-well (odd verses collection)

Here is the most popular homeward-bound shanty of them all with, perhaps, the exception of “Rolling Home” – “Goodbye Fare-ye-well” include version Goodbye Fare-ye-well. Goodbye Fare-ye-well (odd verses collection), sailors were ing at the windlass or capstan when raising the anchor. The collection of the culled odd verses to this version is from other shantymen – mainly German and Scandinavian. I think their enough verses to sing them together as a separate version. I used a slightly different melody mentioned by Stan Hugill, after version D.

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 122).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 123, 124).

The Record of the Goodbye Fare-ye-well (odd verses collection)

The full lyrics

Good-bye Fare-ye-well (odd-verses collection)

At home there waits mother, an’ Susie an’ Flo,
– Goodbye, fare-ye-well! goodbye, fare-ye-well!
With all o’ them pulling she’s sure to go.
– Horraw, me boys we’re-homeward-bound!

* 2 *

We’re loaded down; with sugar and rum,
The sails they are set; and the wind she has come.

* 3 *

Our ropes are now taut and our sails they are full,
She spreads out her wings like a herring-back gull.

* 4 *

We’re-homeward–bound with a roaring breeze,
We’re-homeward-bound so the Old Man says.

Related to this sea shanty