Oh, Susanna, another song from the time when the Gold Rush of 1849 happens was “Oh, Susanna”. Stan Hugill says, is that this song has never been in print, with the exception of Miss Colcord’s fragmentary version listed in her book as a fo’c’sle song.
So this is what Joanna C. Colcord gives us in her book (“Songs of American Sailormen” – 1938, in the “Roll & Go” – 1924, in both books we can find, the same amount of verses): “It was singular that with all the vast pride and delight of the sailor in his ship, so few songs were sung in celebration of the qualities of individual vessels. There was about California clipper “Sovereign of the Seas”, which went to the same tune as the ‘fourty-niners’ song”…
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Songs of American Sailormen” – by Joanna Carver Colcord (1938).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 116).
The Record of the Oh Susanna
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
Oh, Susanna
* 1 *
Holystone the cabin, And get down on your knees, None of your limejuice touches, In the Sovereign of the Seas!
* 2 *
Oh, Susanna, Darling, take your ease, For we have beat the clipper fleet, The Sovereign of the Seas!
Interesting Facts about The Sailor Fireman (I’ll Fire Dis Trip)
The Sailor Fireman (I’ll Fire Dis Trip) was already in print in 1950 in a book called “Nigger Melodies; being The Only Entire and Complete Work of Ethiopian Songs Extant” (Cornish Lamport & Co., New York, 1850, 2488., illustrated frontis, VG).
Stan Hugill states that this song may be the key to the origin of the verse of “Sacramento” and Foster’s “Camptown Races”. The original title of this song is “I’LL FIRE DIS TRIP”, and according to Stan Hugill’s research, originally has been written by a sailor who for the first, and probably the last time, tried the hard work of a fireman.
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 115).
The lyrics: “Nigger Melodies; being The Only Entire and Complete Work of Ethiopian Songs Extant” (between 1842 and 1849) (page 168, 169).
The Record of The Sailor Fireman (I’ll Fire Dis Trip)
The version of this song in Stan Hugill’s book comes from Sigurd Sternvall’s “Sang under Segel” (1935). I decided to sing the original text of this song from “Nigger Melodies; being The Only Entire and Complete Work of Ethiopian Songs Extant”, printed over one hundred and seventy years ago (pages 168, 169), it has slightly different lyrics, compared to to this, what Stan Hugill’s gives to us.
I will try to reconstruct this song as a halyard shanty.
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
The Sailor Fireman (I’ll Fire Dis Trip)
I’ll fire dis trip but I’ll fire no more, – Oho. oho, oh! Oh, pay me my money, and I’ll go on shore, – Fire down below
* 2 *
Miss Fanny Bell, oh, fare you well, I’m going away p’r’aps to —–
* 3 *
A bully-boat, and a bully crew, And a bully-raggin’ captain too,
* 4 *
De posom jump and de panther roar, I woke dis morning at half-past four.
* 5 *
I creep out safely from my hive, And took a dram at half-past five.
* 6 *
Says I, ole boat, let’s have no tricks, Her biler bust,—at half-past six.
* 7 *
So now we trabel under sail, ‘Cause Jonah’s de man dat swallow’d de whale.
* 8 *
I’ll fire dis trip, but I’ll fire no more, Pay me my money and I’ll go on shore.
Interesting Facts about the Heisevise – Wergland version (Norwegian)
Heisevise was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.
Stan Hugill has given us a funny story about an uncensored, Norwegian version of this song. It is a conversation between old Norwegian sailors: ‘Do you remember how the Norwegian version of this shanty went?’ ‘I do, but… it is too horrible! What we sang is now better forgotten!’ ‘yes, that is so, … Let’s give Wergland’s bowdlerized version instead …’ Stan Hugill mentioned about seventeen verses of the original Wergland’s version, in fact, I found actually 25 of them. I found the full version of this great capstan shanty on Henrik Wergland’s “Folkeviser”(1849). Special thanks to Arne B Petersen, for helping with the learning of the ancient Norwegian dialect pronunciation.
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 107).
The lyrics: “Folkeviser” by Henrik Wergland (1849).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 113, 114).
The Record of the Heisevise
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
Heisevise (Norvegian Wergland version)
Overt Land af Godt og ondt har Sit. – Ota Hayti, Ota Hayti! Jeg holder nu paa Norge mit. – In the Ota Hayti, ho!
– Blow, boys, blow for Californio, – There is plenty of gold, so I am told, – On the banks of Sacramento.
* 2 *
Om Sjelland flød som Grød i Smør – Jeg meer af mager Frihed gjor.
* 3 *
Var Jylland selv en Fleskeskank, den kjøber jeg for Norges Bank.
* 4 *
Ja heller Frihed uden Fleft! En feed og smørret Trældom best !
* 5 *
I Sverrig var jeg og til Gjæst. Hver finder sig nok hjemme bedst.
* 6 *
I Stockholms Borg boer Kongen godt. I Norge er hver Barm hans Slot.
* 7 *
I Ruøland Kneijer Byg og Rug ; men Slaven kryber paa fin Bug.
* 8 *
I Polen vorer Hampen svær. Gud hjælpe Den, som klager der !
* 9 *
Hollaenderen har guld endnu Menei en nordmands muntre hu.
* 10 *
Han sidder over Glasset stur . Sligt stemmer ci med vor Natur.
* 11 *
Og aldrig stjænker han sin Ven. Med ham jeg deler Skillingen.
* 12 *
St. Paul gjør Engelskmanden krij. Snehættend Top gaaer heit i Sky.
* 13 *
Den London Luft er mørk og tæt. Men hjemme aander jeg saa let .
* 14 *
Hurra for Britten ! Han er fri, og dygtig Sømand jo som Vi.
* 15 *
I Frankrig fode Druer groe. Vi drikke hjemme bem iro.
* 16 *
En Franskmand har fit hvide Bred . Mit sorte gie’r mig Marv og Kjod.
* 17 *
For Republiken flod hans Blod. Men Thronen staaer dog hvor den stod.
* 18 *
Han frister vel endnu engang. Da skal han faae en Æressang.
* 19 *
I Spanien Laurbær groe som Lyng. Men pas dig der for Dolkesting !
* 20 *
Der vorer gylden Appelsin. Den bringer jeg Allerkjæresten min.
* 21 *
Og hvor jeg foer dybt i Levant, min norske Hjemvce dog mig fandt.
* 22 *
J.Torreviz og Setuval Jeg mindedes min Fædredal.
* 23 *
Jeg mindedes min Faders Huus, og tog iland et Glædeßruus.
* 24 *
Og hvorsomhelst dets Frihedédag laae Skuden stolt med Norges Flag.
Interesting Facts about the Sacramento – Norvegian English worded version
Sacramento – Norvegian English worded version was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”. Stan Hugill has given us a funny story about an uncensored, Norwegian version of this song. It is a conversation of old Norwegian sailors: ‘Do you remember how the Norwegian version of this shanty went?’ ‘I do, but… it is too horrible! What we sang is now better forgotten!’ ‘yes, that is so, … Let’s give Wergland’s bowdlerized version instead …’ Unfortunately, Stan Hugill Did not provide more verses, to this great song.
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 107).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 113).
The Record
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
Sacramento (Norvegian English worded version)
Now we are leaving here, shipmate, – Ota Hayti, Ota Hayti! Soon shall we see the Golden Gate, – In the Ota Hayti, ho!
– Blow, boys, blow for Californio, – There is plenty of gold, so I am told, – On the banks of Sacramento.
* 2 *
Oh heave and weigh the anchor light! The flying-fish is swimming tight.
Interesting Facts about the Der Hamborger Veermaster
Der Hamborger Veermaster, the Low German version very popular from known to every German sailing-ship man, was sung aboard the German four-masted barque Pamir as late as1951. This song was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.
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 107).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 112).
The Record of the Der Hamborger Veermaster
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
Der Hamborger Veermaster
Ick heff mol en Hamborger Veermaster sehn, – To my hoodah, to my hoodah! De Masten so scheef as den Schipper sien Been. – To my hoodah, hoodah, ho!
– Blow, boys, blow for Californio, – There is plenty of gold, so I am told, – On the banks of Sacramento.
* 2 *
Dat Deck weer von Isen, vull Schiet un vull Smeer, Dat weer de Schietgäng eer schönstes Pläseer.
* 3 *
Dat Logis weer vull Wanzen, de Kombüs weur vull Dreck, De Beschüten, de leupen von sülven all weg.
* 4 *
Dat Soltfleesch weer gröön, un de Speck weer vull Maden, Kööm gev dat blots an Wiehnachtsobend.
* 5 *
Un wulln wi mol seil’n, ik segg dat jo nur, Denn lööp he dree vörut und veer wedder retur.
* 6 *
As dat Schipp, so weer ok de Kaptain, De Lüd for dat Schipp weern ok blots schanghait.
Interesting Facts about the Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav
A Rabelaisian, Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav, that we sang aboard the four-masted barque under the same name. So unfortunate is that Stan Hugill did not give us more stanzas and it is the only English translation of German origin, but refrain parts are really rare and beautiful.
The origin of this shanty has many controversies. Due to tune, form, and “Hoodah” or “Doodah” chorus, it has long been associated with Stephen Foster’s “Camptown Races”. C. F. Smith claims this shanty came after the minstrel ditty, it is very curious that a new set of words should have been fitted to the chorus of “Camptown Races”, while it was still a new song.
This song was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.
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 107).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 112).
The Record of the Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav
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
Sacramento – German barque Gustav
Oh, a monk one day from his monastery went, – To me fal-la, to me fal-la! His head all shaven and his gown all rent, – To me fal-lal, lal-lal, la!
– Blow, boys, blow for Californio, – There is plenty of gold, so I am told, – On the banks of Sacramento.
Interesting Facts about Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Halyard version
Patterson’s version, Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Halyard version, is like Patterson’s shanties unusual. The first difficulty is that Patterson in his book doesn’t give us music. In almost every his shanty he inserts short refrains where usually no refrain existed. Stan Hugill says that Patterson called his shanty ‘hauling song’, and gives us one stanza, but this is not entirely true, because Patterson (J. E. Patterson “The Sea’s Anthology” 1913) labeled this song as ‘Capstan.’ and give three verses, and after these three verses, he gives another 4 verses under the label “The same: as a hauling chanty'”. So this song will be a ‘hauling song’, particularly the Halyard Shanty Capstan version I will sing separately.
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 112). The lyrics: “The Sea’s Anthology” – J. E. Patterson (1913).
The Record of the Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Halyard 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
Banks Of Sacramento (Patterson Halyard version)
Now, my lads, get your beds and lie down – With a HOOdah! Now, my lads, get your beds and lie down – With a HOOdah, hoodah-DAY!
– Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-O – With a HOOdah! – There’s plenty of gold, so I’ve been told, – On the BANks of Sacramen-TO!
* 2 *
We came to a land where the cocktail flows We came to a land where the cocktail flows
* 3 *
We came to a river where we couldn’t get across And the plenty of gold, as I’ll have you told, Was a bully, bully loss
Interesting Facts about Sacramento Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version
Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version was sung as a Capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”. Patterson’s version is like Patterson’s shanties, unusual. The first difficulty is that Patterson in his book doesn’t give us music. In almost every shanty he inserts short refrains where usually no refrain existed. Stan Hugill says that Patterson called his shanty ‘hauling song’, and gives us one stanza, but this is not entirely true, because Patterson (J. E. Patterson “The Sea’s Anthology” 1913) labeled this song as ‘Capstan.’ and give three verses, and after these three verses, he gives another 4 verses under the label “The same: as a hauling chanty'”. So this song will be ‘Capstan.’ Hauling version I will sing separately.
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 112).
The lyrics: “The Sea’s Anthology” – J. E. Patterson (1913).
The Record of the Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan 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
Banks Of Sacramento (Patterson Capstan version)
Now, my lads, get your beds and lie down – To me hoodah! To me hoodah! Now, my lads, get your beds and lie down – To me hoodah, hoodah, O!
– Blow, my bully-boys, blow, – For Californi-O ! – There’s plenty of gold, – So I’ve been told, – On the banks of Sacramento!
* 2 *
In the Black Ball Line I served my time In the Black Ball Line I served my time
* 3 *
O that was the line for cracking it on O that was the line for cracking it on
Sacramento (D) was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”. This is the “Camptown Races” version.
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 107).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 110, 111).
The Record of the Sacramento (D)
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
Sacramento (D)
Camptown ladies sing this song, – Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah! Camptown race-track’s five miles long. – Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah day!
– Blow, boys, blow! – For Californ-eye-O! – There’s plenty o’ gold so I’ve bin told, – On the banks o’ the Sacramento
* 2 *
Go down dar wid me hat caved in, Come back home with me pockets full o’ tin.
* 3 *
De long-tailed filly an’ de big black hoss, Dey fly de track an’ dey both cut ac ross.
* 4 *
De blind hoss stickin’ in a big mud hole, Can’t touch bottom wid a ten-foot pole.
* 5 *
Ol’ muley cow come out on de track, De bob he fling her ober his back.
* 6 *
Den fly along like a raiload car, Runnin’ a race wid a shootin’ star.
* 7 *
De sorrel hoss he’s got a cough, An’ his rider’s drunk in de ol’ hay-loft.
* 8 *
Dere’s fourteen hosses in dis race, Ah’m snug in de saddle an’ got a good brace.
* 9 *
De bobtail hoss she cain’t be beat, Runnin’ around in a two-mile heat.
* 10 *
Ah put me money on de bob-tail nag, Somebody bet on de one-eyed lag.
* 11 *
I win me money on de bobtail nag, An’ carry it home in de ol’ tow-bag.
This version of Sacramento (C), of the Cape Horn one, is the most popular one. Stan Hugill thing this version was the original one, and it can be sung to either tune or to a mixture of both tunes, depending on the number of syllables in the verses. This song was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.
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 109).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 109).
The Record of the Sacramento (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
Sacramento (C)
Oh around Cape Horn we are bound for to go – To me Hoo-dah! To me Hoo-dah! Around Cape Horn through the sleet an’ the snow, – To me Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah day!
– Blow, boys, blow! – For Californ-eye-O! – There’s plenty o’ gold so I’ve bin told, – On the banks of the Sacramento!
* 2 *
Oh around the Horn with a mainskys’l set, Around Cape Horn an’ we’re all wringin’ wet.
* 3 *
Oh, around the Horn in the month o’ May, Oh, around the Horn is a very long way.
* 4 *
Them Dago gals we do adore, They all drink vino an’ ask for more.
* 5 *
Them Spanish gals ain’t got no combs, They comb their locks with tunny-fish bones.
* 6 *
To the Sacramento we’re bound away, To the Sacramento’s hell o’ a way.
* 7 *
We’re the buckos for to make ‘er go, All the way to the Sacramento.
* 8 *
We’re the bullies for to kick her through, Roll down the hill with a hullabaloo,
* 9 *
Starvation an’ ease in a Yankee ship, We’re the bullies for to make ‘er rip.
* 10 *
Santander Jim is a mate from hell, With fists o’ iron an’ feet as well.
* 11 *
Breast yer bars an’ bend yer back, Have an’ make yer spare ribs crack.
* 12 *
Round the Horn an’ up to the Line, We’re the bullies for to make ‘er shine
* 13 *
We’ll crack it on, on a big skiyoot, Ol’ Bully Jim is a bloody big brute.
* 14 *
Oh, a bully ship wid a bully crew, But the mate is a bastard through an’ through.
* 15 *
Ninety days to ‘Frisco Bay, Ninety days is damn good pay.
* 16 *
Oh, them wuz the days of the good ol’ times, Back in the days of the Forty-nine.
* 17 *
Sing an’ have an’ heave an’ sing, Heave an’ make them handspikes spring.
* 18 *
An’ I wish to Gold I’d niver bin born, To go a-ramblin’ round Cape Horn.
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