capstan shanty

Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande (B)

This is one of the most popular shanty families in the days of sail It was not the Mexican Rio Grande about which they were singing but the one further south in Brazil; not “Rio Grande del Nord” but “Rio Grande do Sul”. According to Stans Hugill’s research, the Rio Grande includes Rio Grande (B). These shanty sailors sang at most on the decks of ships leaving the West Coast of England, and Wales than in any other vessels.
The Rio Grande merchant sailors sang always at the anchor capstan or windlass and were an outward-bound song.

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

How the Shantyman were chosen?

Looking up from his sidelong inspection of the dripping links of the anchor chain as one by one they slowly emerge from the muddy surface of the water, the mate, clapping his hands to his mouth and with a roar like the Bull of Basham, queries, “Who’s the bloody nightingale among yer? Aw ye men or aw ye cawpses? If there’s ruddy shantyman among yer lot of hobos, fer Gawd’s sake strike a light, will yer!”

In answer to this challenge, from the cavernous throat of some true son of a Neptune comes the hurricane reply:

   "Oh, say wuz ye niver darn Ri-i-o Grande?"

The refrain, a bit seedyat first, comes from half of the heaving men:

   "Wa-a-ay darn Ri-O!"

The self-imposed shantyman now really gets into his stride:

   "Ooh! Them smart senioritas, they sure beats the band!"

And the sailormen, taking heart, bring in a fuller and beefier refrain:

  "Ror we're barnd for the Ri-i-o Grande!"

A satisfied smile crosses the lips of the mate. He’s got a good crowd; the shanty tells him that. “When the men sing right, the ship goes right” was the old sea adage.

Stan Hugill – “Sea Shanties!”

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 90).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 91).

The Record

“Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 91).

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

Rio Grande B

Oh, say wuz ye ever down Rio Grande?
– Way for Rio!
It’s there that the river flows down golden sands.
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, bullies away!
– Away for Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, me Liverpool gels,
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande

* 2 *

So heave up the anchor, let’s get it aweigh,
It’s got a good grip, so heave, bullies, ‘way-ay!

* 3 *

Oh, where are yiz bound to my bully boys all?
An’ where are yiz bound for to make yer landfall?

* 4 *

We’re bound to the south’ard me bully boys all,
Bound out to the Brazils, me bully boys all.

* 5 *

An’ what’ll ye do there, me bully boys all?
What job will ye do there, me bully boys all?

* 6 *

We’ll dig for red gold, oh, me bully boys all,
We’ll dig for a fortune, me bully boys all.

* 7 *

Or die o’ the fever, me bully boys all,
Or die o’ the fever, me bully boys all.

* 8 *

Heave with a will boys, oh, heave long an’ strong,
Sing a good chorus, for ’tis a good song.

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Rio. Grande (A)

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Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande (A)

This is one of the most popular shanty families in the days of sail It was not the Mexican Rio Grande about which they were singing but the one further south in Brazil; not “Rio Grande del Nord” but “Rio Grande do Sul”. Additionally, the reference in some versions like the Rio Grande (A) of the song to “Golden Sand”; whether taken literally or symbolically; applies to the southern Brazilian tiver and port. Both banks of the Brazilian Great River, are heaped high with sand dunes. In the past, gold was a commodity found in this district.

According to Stan Hugill, the Rio Grande was always sung at the work anchor capstan or windlass. The song was an outward-bound song. The last three verses from 15-17 are the other Liverpool Stanzas mentioned by Stan Hugill.

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 90, 91).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 90, 91).

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 musical notation

The full lyrics

Rio Grande A

Oh, a ship went a-sailin’ out over the Bar,
– Way for Rio!
They’ve pointed her bow to the Southern Star,
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande!

– Then away, bullies away!
– Away for Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, me Liverpool gels,
– An’ we’re boun; for the Rio Grande!

* 2 *

Oh, say wuz ye niver down Rio Grande?
Them smart senoritas, they sure beats the band.

* 3 *

We wuz sick of the beach when our money wuz gone,
So we signed in this packet to drive her along.

* 4 *

There’s some of us sick, there’s some of us sore,
We’ve scoffed all our whack an’ we’re looking for more.

* 5 *

Our anchor we’ll weigh an’ the rags we will set,
Them Liverpool judies we’ll never forget.

* 6 *

Ye parkee Lane judies we’ll ‘ave ye to know,
We’re bound to the south’ard, oh, Lord let us go!

* 7 *

Oh, pack up yer donkeys an’ git under way,
Them judies we’re leavin’ will git our half-pay.

* 8 *

Cheer up, Mary Ellen, now don’t look so glum,
On white-stockin’ day ye’ll be drinkin’ hot rum.

* 9 *

We’re a deep-water ship with a deep-water crew;
Ye can stick to the coast, but I’m damned if we do,

* 10 *

It’s goodbye to Ellen an’ sweet Molly too,
Ye Parkee Lane chowlahs, ’tis goodbye to you.

* 11 *

Now blow, ye winds westerly, long may ye blow,
We’re a starvation packet–Good God let us go!

* 12 *

Saltfish an’ lobscouse for the next ‘alf year,
She’s a Liverpool pocket an’ her Ol’ Man’s the gear.

* 13 *

Them Liverpool judies they never use combs,
They combout their locks with a haddock’s backbone.

* 14 *

Heve only one pawl, then ‘vast havin’, me sons,
Sing only one chorus – it’s blowin’ big guns!

*Other Liverpool Stanzas*

* 15 *

An’ now we are leavin’ the sweet Salthouse Dock,
An’ soon we’ll be oh a-roundin’ the Rock.

* 16 *

We’re a Liverpool ship wid a Liverpool crew
Wid a Liverpool mate an’ an Old Man too.

* 17 *

We’re Liverpool born, an’ Liverpool bred,
Oh, thick in the arm, an’ thick in the head!

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Interesting Facts about Round The Bay Of Mexico

A different form of “Santianna” commonly known as “Round the Bay of Mexico”, in which there is no reference at all to Santianna either in the solos or refrains, is probably the older Hoosier version as was once sung around the Gulf ports.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 87). I will sing this song as a capstan shanty. And try to recreate this song from hearted Stan Hugill’s version from the album “Sailing Days” (1991), with “Stormalong John” as a crew.

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 87).

The Record of the Round The Bay Of Mexico

Last note, this song was recorded two years ago and at the time I record it I didn’t have as much knowledge about shanties as I have now so pronunciation can be not perfect.

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

Round The Bay Of Mexico

Heave away me bully boys,
– Wayay, heave away!
Heave away, why don’t ye make some noise boys?
– Round the Bay of Mexico!

* 2 *

Heave away an’ around goes she,
Six for you an’ seven for me-e,

* 3 *

Heave around an’ with a will,
If she don’t go she’ll stay there still.

* 4 *

Heave away for she’s trimmed tight,
Bend yer back if yer wanner sleep ternight.

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Santy Anna (Terry’s Version)

Santiana D (Norvegian – English Translation)

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Interesting Facts about The Lowlands Low (A)

The lilt of the word ‘Lowlands’ seemed to have a fascination for the shantyman and sailor in general. A very ancient song of the sea sings of the Lowlands of Holland, those of Scottland, and even the Lowlands of Virginia were all woven into the songs of the shantyman. Stan Hugill mentioned that Capitan Davis (“Sailors’ Songs and Shanties” – 1887) gives it as a shanty, but Stan Hugill and many of his shipmates have sung this old song at both capstan and pumps.

This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 62, 63). I will try to recreate is capstan, and I heard it on Stan Hugill’s album – “A Salty Fore Topman” (1989).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 62, 63).

The Record of The Lowlands Low (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

The Lowlands Low (A)

There once was a skipper who was boastin’ on the quay,
Oh, I have a ship and a gallant ship is she,
Of all the ships I know. She is far the best to me,
an’ she’s sailing in the Low-lands, Low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, she’s sailing in the, Lowlands Low!

* 2 *

Oh, I had her built in the North a-counterie,
And I have her christened The “Golden Vanitee”.
I armed her and I manned her an’ I sent her off to sea
And she’s sailing in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and she’s sailing in the...

* 3 *

Then up spoke a sailor who had just returned from sea
‘Oh, I wuz aboard of the “Golden Vanitee”
When she wuz held in chase by a Spanish piratee
And we sank her in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and we sank her in the...

* 4 *

Oh, we had aboard o’ us a little cabin-boy
Who said, – “What will ye give me if the galley I destroy?”
Oh, ye can wed my daughter, she is my pride and joy
If ye sink her in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, if ye sink her in the...

* 5 *

‘Of treasure and of gold I will give to ye a store,
And my pretty little daughter that dwelleth on the shore,
Of treasure and of fee as well I’ll give to thee galore,
If ye sink her in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low–lands, Lowlands, if ye sink her in the...

* 6 *

So the boy bared his breast and he plunged into the tide
An’ he swam until he came to the rascal pirate’s side
He climbed on the deck an’ went below, by none was he espied
And he sank’em in the low–lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and he sank’em in the...

* 7 *

He bore with his auger, he bored once an’ twice
And some were playin’ cards an’ some were playin’ dice
An’ water flowed in an’ dazzled their eyes
An’ he sank’em in the low–lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, an’ he sank’em in the...

* 8 *

Oh, some were playing cards, oh, an’ some were playin’ dice
And some wuz in their hammocks a-sportin’ with their wives
An’ then he let the water in an’ put out all their lights
And he sank her in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and he sank her in the...

* 9 *

Then the cabin-boy did swim o’er to the starboard side
Sayin’ – “Capen, take me up, I am drifting with the tide.”
“I will ink ye, I will kill ye, if ye claim my child as bride,
I will sink ye in the low-lands, low.”
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, I will sink ye in the...

Then the cabin-boy did swim all to the lardboard side
Sayin’ – “Shipmates take me up for I’m drowinin’ with the tide.”
They hauled him up so quickly, but when on deck he died
And they buried him in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and they buried him in the …

* 11 *

‘And his shipmates took him up, and when on deck he died
They sewed him in his hammock which was so strong and wide
They said a short prayer o’er him, and they dropped him in the tide
And they sailed from the low-lands, low.
– In the Low-lands, Lowlands, and they sailed from the …

* 12 *

Here’s a curse upon that Captain, wherever he may be
For taking a poor cabin-boy so far away to sea
For taking a poor cabin-boy so far away to sea
And to leave him in the low-lands, low.
– In the Low–lands, Lowlands, and to leave him in the ...

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Interesting Facts about The Gals O’ Chile

The Gals O’ Chile is an outward-bound capstan anchor shanty and a version is also to be found in Captain Robinson’s collection; Miss Colcord also gives it, but she had it from Captain Robinson. He gives it the title of “Hero Bangidero”, his first and third refrains being “To my hero Bangidero”, but this refrain, on his own admission, was never sung – being bawdy, it has been camouflaged by Stan Hugill.

This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 53). Stan Hugill left a record on his album: “A Salty Fore Topman” where singing with Stormalong John, and this is the version that I try to replicate.

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 53, 54).

The Record of The Gals O’ Chile

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 Gals O’ Chile

To.. Chile’s coast we are bound away
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
To.. Chile’s coast we are bound away
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
We are bound away, at the break o’day,
Where they little Spanish gals are so bright an’gay,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals! (spanish -> dago)

* 2 *

An’ when we get to Vallipo,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
An’ when we get to Vallipo,
– We’ll all drink lots of vino!
Dance the gals up the street with a roll-‘n’-go,
Grab ’em round the middle an’ we won’t let go.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 3 *

Them gals o’Chile, they are hard to beat.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them gals o’Chile, they are hard to beat.
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
From truck to keel they are trim an’ sweet,
They’re all a-pullin’ on the ol’ main-sheet.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 4 *

Them senioritas, they are smart and gay,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them senioritas, they are smart and gay,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They dance an’ drink till the break o’ day,
Then clean ye out an’ blow yer pay.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 5 *

Rosita, Anna, and Carmen too,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Rosita, Anna, and Carmen too,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They’ll greet ye with a hullabaloo,
An’ soon ye’ll know what they can do.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 6 *

My trim little frigate is very smart(sharp) craft,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
My trim little frigate is very smart craft,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
She’s armed to the teeth both fore ‘n’ aft,
Sharp at the bows with a fine view abaft.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 7 *

Them ol’ senyoras, as we know well,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them ol’ senyoras, as we know well,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They’re red-hot divils from the other side o’ hell,
An’ ye’ll niver get a chance for to ring a Chile belle.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

* 8 *

When the time comes for to sing farewell,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
When the time comes for to sing farewell,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
Goodbye to the gals an’ our money as well,
Callyo, Caquimbo, an’ ol’ Corynel.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!

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