Bound To California is a capstan shanty of the Gold Rush Period which Miss C. F. Smith found and published in her “A Book of Shanties” (1927). She mentions, that Captain J. L. Vivian Millett singer who sang this song to her, remembers, that he heard it sung at Algoa Bay, in the days when anchorage off that port was still crowded with sailing ships. ” …A big vessel was just getting up her anchor. She had a good shanty crowd, and the chorus roared out by a score of voices came over the waters of the open roadstead with an unforgettable effect”.
Unfortunately, Captain Millett could only give Miss Smith the chorus of this 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 118).
The lyrics: Shanties from the Seven Seas by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 118).
The Record of the Bound To California
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
Bound To California
Good-bye, my lads, good-bye, No one can tell me why I am bound to California To reap the shining gold!
Good-bye, my lads, good-bye, No one can tell me why I am bound to California To reap the shining gold
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 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.
Sacramento (B) came into being aboard the great ships of those times “Sea Witch”, “Flying Cloud”, “Romance of the Seas” and so on, at the time of the California Gold Rush (1849). At the same time was published almost the same song as Stephen Foster’s “Camptown Races”, which was first, hard to say. Did Foster copy his song from Shanty? Colcord states that this shanty is the “slaver minstrel’ song “Camptown Races”. Terry, although he doesn’t say so outright, seems to think that the shanty came first. 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 108).
The Record of the Sacramento (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 full lyrics
Sacramento (B)
Oh, as I was walkin’ down the street – Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah! A charmin’ gal I chanet to meet. – 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 *
The gal was fair an sweet to view, Her hair so brown an’ her eyes so blue
* 3 *
I raised me hat an’ said ‘How do?’, Sez she, ‘Quite well, no thanks to you’
* 4 *
I asked her if she take a trip A-down the docks to see my ship
* 5 *
She quickly answered, ‘Oh, dear, no. I tank you but I cannot go.
* 6 *
‘My love is young, my love is true, I wouldn’t leave my love for you’.
* 7 *
So quickly then I strode away, I’d not another word to say
* 8 *
An’ as I bade this gal adieu, I said that gals like her were few.
Sacramento (A) was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”. 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.
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 108).
The Record of the Sacramento (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 full lyrics
Sacramento (A)
As I wuz rollin’ down the strand, – Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah! I met two fairles hand in hand, – 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 *
I chose the one with the curly locks, She let me chase her o’er the rocks,
* 3 *
I chased her high, I chased her low, I fell down an’ broke me toe.
* 4 *
Off to the doctor I did go, An’ I showed him my big toe.
* 5 *
In came the doctor with a bloomin’ big lance, ‘Now, young sailor, I’ll make you dance!’
* 6 *
In came the nurse with a mustard poultice, Banged it on, but I took no notice.
* 7 *
Now I’m well and free from pain, I’ll never court flash gals again.
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