capstan shanty

Interesting Facts about the John Browns Body

“John Browns Body” turned by sailors into capstan shanty. Originally shore song came from the American Civil War. Song was also sung on German ships.
I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 442).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 442, 443).

The Record of the John Browns Body

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

John Browns Body

John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship.
John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship.
John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship.
– As we go rollin’ home!

– Glory, glory, allelujah!
– Glory, glory, allelujah!
– Glory, glory, allelujah!
– As we go rollin’ home!

* 2 *

John Brown’s daughter is a maiden, so I’m told,
Her finger’s decked with diamonds and her toes in decked with gold,
John Brown’s daughter is a maiden, so I’m told.

* 3 *

John Brown’s daughter got a bunion on her toes,
John Brown’s daughter got a wart upon her nose,
John Brown’s daughter got a bunion on her toes.

* 4 *

John Brown’s daughter is a Yankee-doodle-do,
Her bows is fat, her stern is fat an’ so’s her ankles too,
John Brown’s daughter is a Yankee-doodle-do.

* 5 *

John Brown’s daughter chews terbaccy by the pound,
She’s the roughest, toughest son-o’-a-bitch that ye have ever found,
John Brown’s daughter chews terbaccy by the pound.

* 6 *

There’s my gal with a blue dress on,
Her catheads they would take an anchor weighin’ twenty ton,
There’s my gal with the blue dress on

* 7 *

John Brown’s daughter sat upon a grassy plot,
John Brown’s daughter likes her dinner served up hot,
John Brown’s daughter sat upon a grassy plot.

* 8 *

John Brown’s daughter drinks her whisky neat an’ straight,
John Brown’s daughter’s got a bowline round the mate,
John Brown’s daughter drinks her whisky neat an’ straight.

Related to this sea shanty

Jamboree (Whall)

Whoop Jamboree (Terry)

Whip Jamboree (Sharp)

Interesting Facts about the Old Swansea Town Once More ( A )

“Old Swansea Town Once More ( A )” – the famous Welsh Capstan song. Mr. Sullivan of Cardiff wrote and said to Stan Hugill that the song was always sung as the homeward bound in the little Welsh barques engaged in the Copper Ore Trade of the seventies and eighties years of the nineteenth century. Stan Hugill also informs us that Scottish and Irish versions of this song exist too.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty (used at the Halyard winch).

The source of the Old Swansea Town Once More ( A )

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 431).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 431, 432).

The Record of this sea 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

Old Swansea Town Once More ( A )

Oh, the Lord made the bees, an’ the bees did make the honney,
But the Divil send the woman for to robus of our money,
On’ around Cape Horn will go!
An’ when me mony’s all spent ol’ gal,
We’ll go’ round Cape Horn for more, ol’ gal, ol’ gal!

– You’re the one I do adore,
– An’ all I’m livin’ in hopes to see,
– Is ol’ Swansea Town once more, ol’ gal, ol’ gal!
– You’re the one I do adore,
– So take me ropes an’ make me fast,
– In ol’ Swansea Town once more!

* 2 *

Now we’re outward bound around Cape Horn,
to Frisco an’ around,
I’ll send you letters when we get there,
an’ you’ll Know I’m homeward bound, old gal, old gal!

* 3 *

Now when we’re homeward bound, my dear,
I’ll bring you silks galore,
I’ll bring you jewels an’ rings an’ things,
An’ ye won’t wear the weeds no more, old gal, old gal!

* 4 *

Now when we’re leavin’ ‘Frisco Town,
Outside of the Golden Gate,
I’ll write my last letter to you, me dear,
Then ye won’t have so long to wait, old gal, old gal!

* 5 *

An’ when we’re leavin’ the old Fallerones,
Bound for my ol’ Swansea,
I know ye’ll pull, gal, on the string,
For to haul me in from sea, old gal, old gal!

* 6 *

An’ then when we’ve rounded old Cape Horn,
Climbin’ the hill for home,
Passed the Western Islands into the Bay,
We’ll have no further for to roam, old gal, old gal!

* 7 *

An’ then when we up Channel to sail,
I’ll pray that you’ll be there,
To wait, me dear, on Swansea pier,
My lovely presents for to share, old gal, old gal!

* 8 *

When Swansea Town we’re off once more,
We’ll see the lights so clear,
I know that’s Megan down on the pier,
In her dimity apron dear, old gal, old gal!

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Paddy Signs On

Paddy Get Back – Dick Maitland

Roller Bowler – Trinidad Version

Interesting Facts about the Sebastopol

“Sebastopol” is the song given to us, by Mansfield in his “Sailor’s Garland”. Song was popular during the Crimean War and was used by sailors at the capstan. This shanty is broken down of the original march, or rather of hours of the original version. Original march tune named “Loth-to-depart, played by drum and fife bands when a regiment goes abroad”.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 429).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 429).

The Record of the Sebastopol

You can also find this record on my YouTube channel here or listen directly 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

Sebastopol

The Crimea Was is over now,
– Sebastopol is taken!
The Crimea Was is over now,
– Sebastopol is taken!

– So sing cheer, boys, cheer,
– Sebastopol is taken!
– And sing cheer, boys, cheer,
– Old England gained the day!

* 2 *

The Russians the’ve bin put to flight,
The Russians the’ve bin put to flight,

* 3 *

Our soliders they are homeward bound,
Our soliders they are homeward bound.

* 4 *

We’ll drink a health to all our men,
We’ll drink a health to all our men.

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Doodle Let Me Go

Interesting Facts about the Halarvisa

“Halarvisa”, a fantastic Swedish Capstan shanty from “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 271, 272). This what Stan Hugill gave to us in his book is one to one copy of the Sternvall’s book. There is not much about this song in Sternvall’s book itself, except that it is a ‘hauling song, but Hugill denies it and tells us that form makes it obvious it is the capstan shanty.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The music: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935) (1st ed p 271, 272).
The lyrics: “Sang Under Segel” by Sigurd Sternvall (1935 (1st ed p 271, 272).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 426).

The Record of the Halarvisa

You can also find this record on my YouTube channel here or listen directly 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

Baltimore

En Sjöman seglar jorden runt.
– Kärre-värre-vitt, bom-bom!
Hans hemkomst är en glädjestund,
– Kärre-värre-vitt bom! Hurra så!

– Viktoria! Viktoria!
– Kärre-värre-vitt bom! Hurra så!
– Viktoria! Viktoria!
– Kärre-värre-vitt, bom-bom!

* 2 *

Vem älskar ej en ung sjöman!
Han rusar jämt i faran fram.

* 3 *

Såväl i mödan som i strid
i flickans famn han vilar sig.

* 4 *

En skräddare är en daglig gäst,
han fordrar mig för byx och väst.

Related to this sea shanty

Cant You Dance The Polka (C F Smith version)

The New York Gals

Doodle Let Me Go

Interesting Facts about the Pretoria

“Pretoria” is another shore song converted by sailors for use at the capstan. Was originating South Africa – Boer War, or even the Zulu War. Because of the obscenity of the song Stan Hugill “camouflaged” it for us.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

he music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 425).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 425).

The Record of the Pretoria

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

Pretoria

Oh, Kiss yer gall, say goodbye,
– An’ make fast the dinghy, an’ make fast the dinghy, an’ make fast the dinghy!
Kiss yer gall, say good-bye,
– An’ make fast the dinghy, make fast the dinghy, make fast the dinghy!

– We are marchin’ to Pretoria, oh, gloria, Victoria!
– We are marchin’ to Pretoria, oh, gloria, Victoria rules the waves!

Related to this sea shanty

Jamboree (Whall)

Whoop Jamboree (Terry)

Whip Jamboree (Sharp)

Interesting Facts about the Dixie

“Dixie” is one of what Stan Hugill calls, the ‘Geographical’ category of sea shanties, according to Capitan Whall song was used at the capstan. From Stan Hugill, we also can know that this was the famous Confederate song of the American Civil War.
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 424).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 424, 425).

The Record of the Dixie

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

Dixie

I put me fist – in the mate’s ear’-ole, the mate he cried,
“Good bless me soul – Take it out!
– Take it out! Take it out! Take it out!
So I took me fist – from the chief mate ear, the mate he cried,
“Why thats darn queer, put it back”
– Put it back! Put it back! Put it back!

– Ooh! I wish I wuz in Dixie, Hooraw! Hooraw!
– In Dixie’s Land will take our stand,
– to live or die for Dixie,
– Hooraw! Hooraw! away down south in dixie!

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Jamboree (Whall)

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Interesting Facts about the Le Grand Coureur

“Le Grand Coureur” – French capstan shanty, dealing with the old days of bickering between the French and English.
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 422).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 422, 423).

The Record of the Le Grand Coureur

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

Le Grand Coureur

Le corsair le Grand Coureur est un’ navir’ de malheur,
Quand il se met en croisière, Pour aller chasser l’Anglais,
Le vent, la mer et la guerre tournent contre le Français!

– Allons les gars, gai, gai!
– allons les gars gaiment!

* 2 *

Il est part’ de Lorient, avee bell’ mer et bon vent,
I. englait bâbord amure, naviguant comme un poisson.
Un grain tombe sur sa mâture, v’la le corsaire en ponton!

* 3 *

Il nous fallut remâter, et bougrement bourlinguer,
Tandis que l’ouvrage avance, on signale par tribord,
Un navire d’apparence, à mantelets de sabords.

* 4 *

C’tait un Anglais vraiment à double rangée de dents,
Un marchand de mort subite, mais le Français n’a pas peur,
Au lieu de brasser en fuite, nous le rangeons à l’honneur!

* 5 *

Les boulets pleuvent sur nous, nous lui rendons coups pour coup,
Pendant que la barbe en fume à nos braves matelots.
Dans un gros bouchon de brume, il nous échappe aussitôt!

* 6 *

Nos prises au bout de six mois, ont pu se monter à trois,
Un navir’ plein de patates, plus qu’à moitié chaviré,
Un deuxième de savates, et le dernier de fumier!

* 7 *

Pour nous refair’ des combats, nous avions à nos repas
Des gourganes et du lard rance, du vinaigre au lieu du vin,
Des biscuits pourri d’avance, et du camphre le matin!

* 8 *

Pour finir ce triste sort, nous venons périr au port,
Dans cette affreuse misère, quand chacun s’est vu perdu,
Chacun selon sa manière, s’est sauvé comme il a pu!

* 9 *

Le cap’taine et son second, s’ont sauvés sur un canon,
Le maître sur la grande ancre, le commis dans son bidon,
Ah! le sacré vilain cancre, le voleur de rations!

* 10 *

Il eût fallu voir le coq, et sa cuiserie et son croc,
Il s’est mis dans la chaudière, comme un vilain pot-au-feu,
Il est parti vent arrière, a péri au feu de Dieu!

* 11 *

De notre horrible malheur, seul le calfat est l’auteur,
En tombant de la grand’ hune, dessous le gaillard d’avant,
A r’bondi dans la cambuse, a crevé le bâtiment!

* 12 *

Si l’histoire du Grand Coureur a pu vous toucher le cœur,
Ayez donc belles manières, et payez-vous largement,
Du vin, du rack, de la bière, et nous serons tous contents!

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Interesting Facts about the High Barbaree – Fuller

“High Barbaree – Forebitter” – “geographical” name of the song takes its name from the savage Coast of North Africa, the lair of the Corsairs. Stan Hugill mentioned apart of him two collectors, who gave us versions of this song: Sampson (shanty version) and Whall (forebitter version). The song was sometimes called “Salcombe Seamen” and was sung solely at the capstan. Here is the capstan 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 419).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 419, 420).

The Record of the High Barbaree – Fuller

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

High Barbaree – Fuller

There were two lofty ships from old England they set sail
– Blow high! Blow low! An’ so sailed we – ,
One was the Prince o’ luther an’ the other Prince o’ Wales,
– All a-cruisin’ down the Coasts of the High Barbaree!

* 2 *

‘Aloft there, aloft!’ our bully bosun cried.
‘Look ahead, look astern, look to weather an’ a-lee!”

* 3 *

‘There’s naught upon the starn, sir, there’s naught upon the lee,’
But there’s a lofty ship to wind’ ard an’ she’s sailin’ fast an’ free.’

* 4 *

‘O hail her! O hail her!’ our gallant cap’n cried,
‘Are you a man-o’-war or a privateer?’ cried he.

* 5 *

‘Oh, no I’m not a man-o’-war, nor privateer,’ cried he,
‘But I’m a salt sea pirate, all a-lookin’ for me fee!’

* 6 *

For broadside, for broadside a long time we lay,
Till at last ‘Prince o’ Luther’ shot the pirate’s mast away.

* 7 *

‘O quarter! O quarter!’ those pirates they did cry,
But the quarter that we gave ’em, was to sink ’em in the sea.

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Interesting Facts about the Baltimore

“Baltimore” capstan shanty is very popular on German sailing ships. Stan Hugill gave us some extra pieces of information, that song was sung at the capstan when making sail by leading the halyard to the capstan instead of hauling on the fall. Initially “Baltimore” was the shore song. Hugill tells us that the song was never heard in British ships. This helped him strengthen the theory that German and Scandinavian seamen adapted British and American shore songs and turned them into shanties long after the art of “inventing” shanties had died aboard British and American ships.
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 418).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 418).

The Record of the Baltimore

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

Baltimore

An’ I kissed her on the cheek, an’ the crew began to roar,
– Oh, ho! an’ up she goes! We’re bound for Baltimore!
An’ I kissed her on the cheek, an’ the crew began to roar,
– Oh, ho! an’ up she goes! We’re bound for Baltimore!

– No more … no more … no more!
– Oh, we’ll go to sea no more!
– As soon as we reach port tonight,
– We’re headin’ for the shore!

* 2 *

An’ he kissed her on the cheek, an’ the crew began to roar,
– Oh, ho! an’ …
An’ he kissed her on the face, an’ the crew began to roar
– Oh, ho! …

* 3 *

An’ he kissed her on the neck, …

* 4 *

An’ he kissed her on the lips, …

* 5 *

An’ he kissed her on the arms, …

* 6 *

An’ he kissed her on the legs, …

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Cant You Dance The Polka (C F Smith version)

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Doodle Let Me Go

Interesting Facts about the Passant Par Paris

“Passant Par Paris” – is the French capstan shanty, which has a place name for its title. According to Stan Hugill, this song comes from Armand Hayet’s book “Chansons De Bord” (Paris) – 1934. Hugill also tells us, that:
“It has typical French method of forming choruses, by all hands singing a repeat of the solo, and the second solo is used as the first solo of the following verse”
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 413).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 413).

The Record of the Passant Par Paris

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

Passant Par Paris

Passant par Paris, vidant ma boutelle,
– Passant par Paris, vidant ma boutelle,
Un de mes amis me dit a l’oreille,
– Bon! Bon! Bon!
Le bon vin m’endort, l’amour me raveille,
– Le bon vin m’endart, l’amour me reveill’encor!

* 2 *

Un de mes amis me dit a l’oreille,
– Un de mes amis me dit a l’oreille,
Jean, prends garde a toi, l’on courtis’ta belle,
– Bon! Bon! Bon!
Le bon vin m’endort, l’amour me raveille,
– Le bon vin m’endart, l’amour me reveill’encor!

* 3 *

Jeans, prends garde a toi, l’on courtis’ta belle,
– Jeans, prends …
Courtise qui voudra, je me fous bien d’elle!
– Bon! …
Le bon …
– Le bon …

* 4 *

Courtise qui voudra, je me fous bien d’elle,
– Courtise qui …
J’ai eu de son coeur, la fleur la plus belle,
– Bon! …
Le bon …
– Le bon …

* 5 *

J’ai eu de son coeur, la fleur la plus belle,
– J’ai eu de …
Dans un grand lit blanc, gree de dentelles,
– Bon! …
Le bon …
– Le bon …

* 6 *

Dans un grand lit blanc, gree de dentelles,
– Dans un …
J’ai eu trois garcons, tous trois capitaines,
– Bon! …

* 7 *

J’ai eu trois garcons, tous trois capitaines,
– J’ai eu …
L’un est a Bordeaux, l’autre a La Rochelle,
– Bon! …

* 8 *

L’un est a Bordeaux, l’autre a La Rochelle,
– L’un est …
Le plus jeune a Paris, courtisant les belles,
– Bon! …

* 9 *

Le plus jeune a Paris, courtisant les belles,
– Le plus …
Et le pere est ici, qui hal’ sur la fircelle,
– Bon! …

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