Forebitter

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

“Old Swansea Town Once More ( B )” – the famous Welsh Capstan song. This version is ‘toned down’ a lot from sailor singing, but it is the version that is accepted throughout the folk-song world. The song is collected by G. B. Gadiner in Hampshire. Stan Hugill took this version from Mr. Mansell Thomas (Head of Welsh Music, B.B.C., Cardiff).
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 432).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 432, 433).

The Record of the Old Swansea Town Once More ( B )

You can also 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 ( B )

Oh, farewell to you my Nancy, Ten thousand times adieu,
I’m bound to cross the ocean girl, once more to port with you,
Once more to port from you fine girl,
You’re the girl that I adore,
But still I live in hopes to see, old Swansea Town once more,

– Old Swansea Town once more, fine girl!
– You’re the girl that I adore,
– But still I live in hopes to see,
– Old Swansea Town once more!

* 2 *

Oh, it’s now that I am out at sea, an’ you are far behind,
Kind letters I will write to you, of the secrets of my mind,
Of the secrets of my mind, fine girl!
You’re the girl that I adore,
But still I live in hopes to see, old Swansea Town once more,

* 3 *

Oh, now the storm is rising, I can see it coming on,
The night so dark an anything, we cannot see the moon;
We cannot see the moon, fine girls!
Our rigging is all tore,
But I live in hopes to see, old Swansea Town once more,

* 4 *

Oh, it’s now the storm is over, and we are safe on shore,
We’ll drink strong drinks and brandies too, to the girls that we adore,
To the girls that we adore, fine girls!
We’ll make the tavern roar,
And when our money is all gone, we’ll go to sea for more.

Related to this Forebitter

Oh Susanna

Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

Roll Alabama Roll! – Forebitter

Interesting Facts about The Princess Royal

“The Princess Royal” is the last variation of the “High Barbaree” song presented by Stan Hugill in his “Shanties from the Seven Seas”. Stan Hugill takes this version from Bill Fuller of Cornwall, who had it from an old man-o’-war’s man.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 421).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 421).

The Record of The Princess Royal

You can also 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 Princess Royal

On the fourteenth of Febru’ry we sailed from the land,
In the bold “Princess Royal” bound for New Foun’-land,
We had forty five seamen for a ship’s company,
The wind from the east’-end, To the west’-end steered we.

* 2 *

We’d hardly been sailin’ but a day two or three,
When the man from our masthead strange sail he did see.
She came bearin’ down on us with her topsails so high,
And under her mizen-peak black colours did fly.

* 3 *

An’ when this bold pirate had have alongside,
With a loud speakin’ voice, ‘We are comin’!’ he cried,
‘We come from fair London bound to Callao,
So hinder us not in our passage to go.’

* 4 *

‘Back yer maintops’l an’ heave yer ship to,
For I have a letter to be carried home by you.’
‘I’ll back my maintops’l an’ heave my ship to,
But only in some harbour an’ alongside o’ you.’

* 5 *

He chased us to wind’ard an’ through the long day,
An’ he chased us to loo’ard but he could not gain way,
An’ he fired long-shot after us, but he could not prevail,
An’ the bold Princess Royal soon showed a clean tail.

* 6 *

Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, go down every man,
Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, go down one an’ all,
Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, an’ be o’ good cheer,
For as long as we’ve sea-room we’ve nothin’ to fear!

Related to this Forebitter

Oh Susanna

Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

Roll Alabama Roll! – Forebitter

Interesting Facts about the High Barbaree (West Country Tune)

“High Barbaree (West Country Tune)” – “geographical”: The song’s name is taken 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 west country tune.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 420).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 420).

The Record of the High Barbaree (West Country Tune)

You can also 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 (West Country Tune)

There were two lofty ships from ol’ England they set sail
– Blow high! Blow low! An’ so sailed we – ,
One was the “Prince of luther” an’ the other “Prince of Wales”,
– Sailin’ down along the coasts o’ 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.

Related to this Forebitter

Oh Susanna

Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

Roll Alabama Roll! – Forebitter

Interesting Facts about The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger

“The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger” – described by Doerflinger in his “Shantymen And Shantyboys” as the Deep-Water Song. According to Stan Hugill, this version is from the singing of Richard Maitland of Sailors’ Snug Harbor, and Doerflinger has given his slightly different way of singing verses 2 and 3 and their choruses. Hugill gives us only the first verse, I will reconstruct this song in full six verses as given to us in Doerflinger’s book.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the Forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
The lyrics: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 413).

The Record of The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger

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 Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger

You rambling boys of Liverpool, I’d have you to beware,
When you ship on a Yankee packet ship, no dungarees do wear,
But have a monkey pea jacket all ready at your command,
To protect you from the cold nor’-westers on the banks of Newfoundland.

– We’ll rub her down and scrub her down, with holystones and sand,
– And we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks and the banks of Newfoundland!

* 2 *

We had one Jimmy Lynch from Ballyna-hinch, Mike Murphy and Jim Moore.
‘Twas in the winter of ‘seventy-two those boys they suffered sore.
They pawned their clothes in Liverpool, then they sold them our of hand,
Never thinking of cold nor”-westers on the banks of Newfoundland.

* 3 *

We had a lady passenger, Bridget Murphy was her name.
From her I’d promised marriage; on me she had a claim.
She tore up her flannel peticoats and made stockin’s for my hands,
For she said she couldn’t see her true love freeze on the banks of Newfoundland.

* 4 *

I had a dream the other night, I dreamt that I was home.
I dreamt that me and my true love where in old Marylebone.
That we were on old England’s shore with a jug of ale in hand,
But when I woke, my heart was broke on the banks of Newfoundland.

* 5 *

It’s now we’re passing the Virgin Rocks and stormy winds do blow,
With a crowd of sailors on the deck a-shoveling off the snow.
We’ll wash her down, we’ll scrub her deck with holystone and sand,
And we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks on the Banks of Newfounland!

* 5 *

It’s now we’re passing Sandy Hook, and the cold winds they still blow.
With a tug-boat right ahead of us, into New York we’ll go.
We’ll fill our glasses brimming full, with a jug of rum in hand,
For while we’re here, we can’t be there on the Banks of Newfounland!

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

Interesting Facts about The Banks O Newfnland – Forebitter

“The Banks O Newfnland” as described by Stan Hugill, is usually capstan shanty, but this version was sung as forebitter. The song was given to Stan Hugill by Mr. D. McDonald of Glasgow.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 412).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 412, 413).

The Record of The Banks O Newfnland – Forebitter

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 Banks O Newfnland – Forebitter

Oh, come, all you roving sailors, and sporting blades, beware,
When you jump on board a packet ship, no dungaree jumpers wear,
But always have good monkey-jackets at your command
Think of the cold nor’westers on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

* 2 *

Now there was one Lynch from Ballynahinch, Jim Kane and Mick O’Moore,
It was in the year of sixty, the mariners suffered sore,
With all their clothes in Liverpool, they’d spent money with either hand,
Not thinking of the cold nor’westers on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

* 3 *

Oh, there was a girl on board that ship, Kate Conner was her name,
I promised I would marry her, for on me she had a claim.
She tore up her flannel petticoat, to make mittens for my hands,
For I won’t see my true love freezing on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

* 4 *

Oh, now we’re off the Hook, me boys, the land all covered with snow,
The towboat is achead and to New York soon we’ll go.
We’ll scrub her deck, we’ll scrub her down with holystones and sand,
So we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

* 5 *

Oh, I had a dream, a happy dream, I dreamt that I was home,
Alongside of my own true love and she in Marybone,
A jug of ale all on my knee, a glass of ale in my hand,
But when I woke my heart was broke, on the Banks of Newf’n’land.

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

Interesting Facts about the Van Diemans Land

“Van Diemans Land” is a song often sung in Liverpool and as a forebitter, and very popular on Liverpool ships. The song was originally a shore ballad, and under the title “The banks of Newf’n’land” a parody of an older forebitter, and was sung as the capstan song. It tells of the suffering of poachers transported to Van Diemen’s Land.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 411).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 411).

The Record of the Van Diemans Land

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

Van Diemans Land – Forebitter

Ye ramblin’ boys of Liverpool, I’ll have ye to be ware,
‘Tis when ye go a huntin’ wid yer dog, yer gun, yer snore,
Watch out boys for the game keepers, keep yer dog at your command,
Just think on all them hard–ships, goin’ to Van Dieman’s Land.

* 2 *

We had two Irish lads on board, Mickey Murphy an’ Paddy Malone,
And they were both the stoutest friends that ever a man could own,
But the gamekeeper he’d caught them, and from ol’ England’s strand,
They were seven years transported for plough Van Dieman’s Land.

* 3 *

We had on board a lady fair, Bridget Reilly wuz her name,
An’ she wuz sent from Liverpool for a-playin’ of the game.
Out captain fell in love wid her and he married her out of hand,
And she gave us all good usage, boys, goin’ to Van Dieman’s Land.

* 4 *

The moment that we landed there, upon that fatal shore,
The planters they inspected us, some fifty score or more,
They marched us off like hosses, an’ they sold us out of hand,
Then yoked us to the plough, me boys, for to plough Van Dieman’s Land.

* 5 *

As I lay in me bunk one night, a-dreamin’ all alone,
I dreamt I wuz in Liverpool, ‘way back in Marybone,
Wid me own true love beside me, an’ a jug o’ ale in me hand,
Then awoke so broken-hearted, lyin’ on Van Dieman’s Land.

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

Interesting Facts about the Ten Thousand Miles Away

“Ten Thousand Miles Away” is originally a shore ballad and later a forebitter. Stan Hugill also tells us it was used at times as a capstan shanty. Song was sung first by street singers in Ireland in the early years of the XIX century. Under the name “Botany Bay” was a favorite song of the old London music halls of the 50s and 60s of the XX century. This version is given it comes from the mother’s father (J. Southwood) of Stan Hugill and it was a usual version that was sung as the capstan shanty or forebitter.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the Forebitter.

The source of this Forebitter

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 409).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 409,410).

The Record of the Ten Thousand Miles Away

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

Ten Thousand Miles Away

Sing ho! for a brave an’ a gallant ship,
an’ a fair an’ fair’-rin’ breeze,
Wi’ a bully crew an’ a cap’-n too,
to carry me over the seas.
To carry me over the seas me boys,
To me true love for away,
For I’m taking a trip in a Government ship,
Ten thousands miles away!

– Then–blow, ye winds, an’ blow!
– An’ a-rovin’ I will go,
– I’ll stay no more on England’s shore,
– To hear sweet music play, ay, ay, ay,
– For I’m on the move to me own true love,
– Ten thousand miles away!

* 2 *

My true love wuz beautiful,
An’ my true love wuz gay,
But she’s taken a trip on a Government ship,
Bound out to Botany Bay,
Bound out to Botany Bay, m’boys,
An’ though she’s far away,
I’ll never forget me own true love,
Ten thousand miles away!

* 3 *

Oh, it wuz a summer’s mornin’,
When last I seed my Meg,
She’d a Government band around each hand,
An’ another one round her leg,
An’ another one round her leg, m’ boys,
As the big ship left the Bay,
Adieu she sez remember me,
Ten thousand miles away!

* 4 *

I wisht I wuz a bosun bold,
Or a sailor widout fear
I-d man a boat an’ away I’d float,
An’ straight for me true love steer.
An’ straight for me true love steer, m’ boys,
Where the whales an’ dolphins play,
Where the whales an’ sharks are havin’ their larks,
Ten thousand miles away!

* 5 *

Oh, the sun may shine through the London fog,
Or the river run quite clear,
Or the ocean brine turn into wine,
or I forget me beer,
Or I forget me beer, m’ boys,
Or the landlord’s quarter-day,
But I’ll never forget me own true love,
Ten thousand miles away!

Related to this Forebitter

Ratcliffe Highway

Blow Ye Winds in the Morning

Rolling Home – W. B. Whall

Interesting Facts about the Maggie May

“Maggie May” was sung at the capstan in many Liverpool ships. The song tells the story of one of the most famous Liverpool ‘judy’ called Maggie May. We don’t know if it is a historical or fictitious character. According to stan Hugill, no other collector has mentioned this song, which was probably forebitter as well as a sea shanty. Words given by Stan Hugill are modified slightly, possibly due to bawdyness here and there.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this Forebitter

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 404).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 404,405).

The Record of the Maggie May

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

Jack All Alone

Come all ye sailors bold, an’ when me tale is told,
I know ye all will sadly pity me,
For I was a god damn fool in the port o’ Liverpool,
an the voyage when I first paid off from sea.

– Ooh, Maggie, Maggie May,
– They have taken you away,
– For to slave upon Van Dieman’s cruel shore,
– Oh, you robbed many a whaler an’ many a drunken sailor,
– But you’ll never cruise round Liverpool no more!

* 2 *

I paid off at the Home, after a voyage from Sierre Leone,
Two pound ten a month had been my pay;
As I jingled in me tin, I wuz sadly taken in,
By a lady of the name of Mggie may,

* 3 *

When I steered into her, I hadn’t got a care,
I wuz cruisin’ up an’ down ol’ Canning Place;
She wuz dressed in a gown so fine, like a frigate of the line,
An’ I bein’ a sailorman gave chase.

* 4 *

She gave me a saucy nod, an’ I like a farmer’s clod,
Let her take me line abreast in tow;
An’ under all plain sail, we ran before the gale,
An’ to the Crow’s Nest Tavern Tavern we did go.

* 5 *

Next mornin’ when I woke, I found that I wuz broke,
I hadn’t got a penny to me nyme;
So I had to pop me suit, me John L’s an’ me boots,
Down in the Park Lane pawn shop Number Nine.

* 6 *

Oh, you thievin’ Maggie May, ye robbed me of me pay,
When I slept wid you last night ashore,
Oh, guilty the jury found her, for robbin’ a homeward-bounder,
An’ she’ll never roll down Park Lane no more.

* 7 *

She wuz chained and sent away, from Liverpool one day,
The lads they cheered as she sailed down the Bay,
An’ every sailor lad, he only wuz too glad,
They’d sent the ol’ whore out to Botany Bay.

Related to this Forebitter

Ratcliffe Highway

Blow Ye Winds in the Morning

Rolling Home – W. B. Whall

Interesting Facts about the Jack All Alone

“Jack All Alone” forebitter mentioned by Stan Hugill on occasion to describe the “The New York Gals” shanty. The words of this song were well known in Liverpool, and occasionally some bits of lyrics were adapted to fit various shanties and forebitters. The traditional and origin name of this song was “The Shirt and the Apron”. The lyrics given by Stan Hugill come from Paddy Cunningham. Of course, the biggest issue with this song is that Stan Hugill doesn’t give us any music score, so after long research and with the huge help of one of my mentors Gibb Schreffler, I found the music notation in the “Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia” by Helen Creighton (1932). On the mentioned book song was under the title “Barrack Street”.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the Forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia” by Helen Creighton (1932).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 376-377).

The Record of the Jack All Alone

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

Jack All Alone

Ye ‘prentice lads and seamen bold, come listen to me song,
An’ I’ll tell ye how I met me fate, when I was very young;
‘Twas on the day I came from sea, a flash gal I did meet.
She kindly axed me to a dance, ’twas up on Peter Street.

* 2 *

Sez I, ‘My charmin’ fair one, I can’t dance very well,
For Wigan town this night I’m bound, where all my friends do dwell;
Today I’ve just come in from sea, an’ I’ve saved eighty pound,
My parents are expectin’ me tonight in Wigan town.’

* 3 *

Sez she, ‘If you dance too well, ye still can have a treat,
I’ll give you rum and brandyhot an’ something nice to eat;
At ten o’click this very night I’ll meet you at the train,
If ye’ll consent, give me a call when ye come in town again.’

* 4 *

So finding her quite friendly, I then did hail a car,
To take us to a bar-room, boys, the distance warn’t too far;
Some gals passed by the other side, these words to me did say,
‘Oh, you young chap, ye’ll lose yer cap if you steer that way.’

* 5 *

And when we reached the bar-room, boys, the loquor was brought in,
And every man waltzed round the room as the dancing did begin;
Me and my love danced round the room, danced to a merry tune,
Sez she, ‘My dear, now we’ll repair to a chamber all alone.’

* 6 *

When the dancing it was over, we straight to bed did go.
‘Twas little did I ever think she’d prove my overthrow;
My watch and clothes and eighty pound with me fancy one they fleed,
And she left me there, Jack-all-alone, stark naked on the bed.

* 7 *

When I came to me senses, oh, nothing could I spy,
But a woman’s shirt an’ apron there upon the bed did lie;
I wrung me hands, I tore me hair, I yelled, ‘What shall I do?’
And said, ‘Farewell, O Wigan town, I’ll never more see yo.’

* 8 *

Oh, everything was silent, the hour was twelve o’clock,
I put the shirt and apron on and hauled for the dock;
My shipmate saw me come aboard, these words to me did say,
‘Well, well ol’ chap, you’ve lost yer cap, since last ye went away.

* 9 *

‘Is this the new spring fashion the ladies wear on shore,
Where is the shop that’s sellin’ it, have they got any more?’
The Ol’ Man cried, ‘Why, Jack me boy, to Wigan I thought ye’d gone,
A better suit I sure could buy than that for eighty pun.’

* 10 *

Sure I could buy a better suit if I’d only had the chance,
But I met a gal on Peter Street and she took me to a dance;
I danced to my destruction, got stripped from head to feet,
So I swore an oath I’d go no more to a dance on Peter Street.

* 11 *

Come, all ye lads an’ seamen bold, a warn’ take by me:
Be sure ye choose good company when you goes on the spree;
Beware of a dance on Peter Street, ye’ll surely rue a day,
With a woman’s shirt and apron, boys, they’ll fit ye out for sea!

Related to this Forebitter

Ratcliffe Highway

Blow Ye Winds in the Morning

Rolling Home – W. B. Whall