halyard shanty

July 31, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Shallow Brown D

Shallow Brown D is a usual version of the general family of the shanties called “Shallow Brown”. At the beginning life of this song, it was used as a pump shanty. As the age of sails progressed, in the late days this song was usually sung at halyards. This version comes from English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914) (1st ed: p 60). In the description of this shanty Cecil Sharp mentioned song was sung to him by Mr. Robert Ellison, at Belvedere, Woolwich, and also mentioned these words have a Negro flavor. Cecil Sharp placed this song into the “Pulling Chanteys” chapter. I will reconstruct this song as a halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 259).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 259).

The Record of the Shallow Brown 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 musical notation

The full lyrics

Shallow Brown D

O I’m going to leave her,
– SHALlow, O SHALlow Brown!
O I’m going to leave her,
– SHALlow, O SHALlow Brown!

* 2 *

Ship on board a whaler,
Ship on board a whaler,

* 3 *

Bound away to St. George’s.
Bound away to St. George’s.

* 4 *

Love you well, Julianna.
Love you well, Julianna.

* 5 *

Massa going to sell me.
Massa going to sell me.

* 6 *

Sell me to a Yankee.
Sell me to a Yankee.

* 7 *

Sell me for the dollar.
Sell me for the dollar.

* 8 *

Great big Spanish dollar.
Great big Spanish dollar.

Related to this sea shanty

Hello Somebody

Shallow Brown B

Blow Boys Blow (C)

Interesting Facts about the Hilo Johnny Brown

I have great pleasure introduce to you the first song from Part Three of Stan Hugill’s “Shanties from the Seven Seas”, the “Hilo Johnny Brown” also known as “Stand to yer Ground!”. It opens a big group of the shanties with the word “Hilo” which depends on the context was port in the Hawaiian group, and, although occasionally referring by old shellbacks to this locality. Sometimes differently shanties it does refer to Peruvian nitrate port Ilo. “Hilo Johnny Brown” is the Negro origin halyard shanty and the usual verses of “Sally Brown” were used in this song.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 254).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 254).

The Record of the Hilo Johnny Brown

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

Hilo Johnny Brown

Saly she’m the gal that I love dear-ly,
– ‘WAY, sing, SALly! Ooh!
Saly she’m the gal that I love dear-ly,
– HIlo, Johnny Brown, STAND to yer ground!

* 2 *

Sally she’m the gal that I spliced nearly,
Her lips is red an’ her hair is curly,

* 3 *

Sally she’m a Badian beauty,
Sall-gal she’m know her dooty.

* 4 *

Sally she’m a bright mulatter,
She drinks rum an’ chaws terbacker.

* 5 *

Seven long years Ah courted Sally,
But Ah doan care ter dilly-dally,

(continue with other ‘Sally Brown’ verses)

* 6 *

Stand to yer ground an’ we’ll walk her up, boys,
Stand to yer ground an’ we’ll make a bit o’ noise.

* 7 *

Never mind the weather, boys, keep yer legs tergether,
Haul away, me bully boys, an’ burst the chafin’ leather.

* 8 *

The mate he goes aroun’, boys, dinging an’ a-dangin’,
Fair land o’ Caanan soon be a-showin’.

Related to this sea shanty

Ranzo Ray C

Blow The Man Down (C)

Blow The Man Down (D)

Interesting Facts about the Ranzo Ray B

Ranzo Ray B is one of the shanties with the word Ranzo in chorus. The seamen what Stan Hugill learned this song from said it was a hauling song. Stan Hugill thinks it was also singing at the capstan but was much more popular as a halyard song.
This version Stan Hugill learned from Liverpool Irish Seamen, he also informed about this version was used as the halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 248).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 248).

The Record of the Ranzo Ray 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 musical notation

The full lyrics

Ranzo Ray B

The bully boat’s a comin’, Don’t ye hear the paddles rollin’?
– RANzo, Ranzo, a WAY, a way!
The bully boot’s a comin’, down the river she’s a floatin’,
– RANzo, Ranzo RAY!

* 2 *

The bully boat’s a-comin’, down the Mississippi floatin’,
The bully boat’s a-comin’, an’ the gals is all a-waitin’,

* 3 *

I’m bound away ter leave yer, but I never will deceive yer,
I’m bound away ter leave yer, my half-pay I’m gonna leave yer.

* 4 *

We’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners
We’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners

* 5 *

We bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter.
We bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter.

* 6 *

We’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors.
We’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors.

* 7 *

We’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries.
We’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries.

* 8 *

We’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager.
We’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager.

* 9 *

When I come again ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer.
When I come again ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer.

* 10 *

We’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan.
We’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan.

* 11 *

As I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’.
As I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’.

* 12 *

We’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.
We’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.

Related to this sea shanty

Ranzo Ray A

Blow The Man Down (A)

Blow The Man Down (B1 – first method)

Interesting Facts about the Ranzo Ray A

Ranzo Ray A is one of the shanties with the word Ranzo in the chorus. The seamen that Stan Hugill learned this song from said it was a hauling song. This shanty was also sung as the capstan shanty but much more popular as a halyard song. Stan Hugill says there were three ways of singing this shanty, the first two very popular among white seamen, and the third being the Negro way of singing it. All those versions are actually Negro origin. It is one of the many shanties stemming from the cotton Hoosiers of Mobile, who may, in turn, have had it from the rivermen of the Mississippi or Ohio.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 247, 248).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 247, 248).

The Record of the Ranzo Ray 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

Ranzo Ray A

Oh, the bully boat’s a comin’, Don’t ye hear the paddles rollin’?
– RANzo, Raanzo, HURray, hurray!
Oh the bully boot’s a comin’, down the river she’s a bowlin’
– Ranzo, Ranzo RAY!

* 2 *

Ooh, the bully boat’s a-comin’, down the Mississippi floatin’,
Ooh, the bully boat’s a-comin’, an’ the gals is all a-waitin’,

* 3 *

Ooh, I’m bound away ter leave yer, but I never will deceive yer.
I’m bound away ter leave yer, my half-pay I’m gonna leave yer.

* 4 *

Ooh, we’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners
Ooh, we’re bound for Yokohammer, with a load o’ grand pianners

* 5 *

Oh, we bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter.
Oh, we bound for Giberralter an’ our carger’s brick an’ morter.

* 6 *

Ooh, we’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors.
Ooh, we’re bound for Valparaiser with a load o’ rusty razors.

* 7 *

Oh, we’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries.
Oh, we’re bound for Bonas Airees with a bunch o’ green canaries.

* 8 *

Oh, we’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager.
Oh, we’re bound for Santianner and we’re load o’ German lager.

* 9 *

When I come again, ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer.
When I come again, ter meet yer, it’s with kisses I will greet yer.

* 10 *

Oh, we’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan.
Oh, we’ll tie ‘er up in London, an’ we’ll all go on the ran-tan.

* 11 *

Oh, as I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’.
Oh, as I roved out one mornin’ I could see the steamboat rollin’.

* 12 *

Oh, we’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.
Oh, we’ve ploughed the ocean over, an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.

Related to this sea shanty

Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall version

Reuben Ranzo – Patterson version

High O Come Roll Me Over!

Interesting Facts about the Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall version

Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall version is a shanty built around the dirtiest “sailor” who shipped ever – Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers.
Stan Hugill took whole this beautiful shanty from Captain Sigurd Sternvall’s book, “Sang Under Segel” (1935).
Fortunately, I own a copy of Sternvall’s book . The song we can find on pages 339 and 340, musical notation is also from Strnvall’s book. Here is original Strnvall’s comment to this song:

“None of the old haul songs have been as popular as Ruben Ranzo. Therefore, it is also available in many languages ​​and in many variants. Originally, it’s an American vision over the hated “stow aways” (blind passengers) and “Western ocean packet rats” who were a kind of emigrant hikers or something worse. In the form it has been written down, it has been sung by both Norwegian and Swedish sailors. The one you get to see print is of the kind modest kind. The song is to be sung happily and tragically.

The hauling men shout out their “Ranzo, boys! Ranzo!” in step with the straw as they stretch in the fall. “Cube” is pneumonia and “herring” still. “A shilling became his rent”, enlight English maritime practice the lowest rent a “working emigrant” could be written for on the ship list. “So the shoes lose their duty”, here means that bone chips remained in the deck where he fell. “He was eaten by the black cat”, is synonymous with cold sores.”

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).

The Record of the Reuben Ranzo – Sternvall 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 musical notation

The full lyrics

Reuben Ranzo

Hans namn var Ruben Ranzo.
– RANZO, boys, RANZO!
Å Ruben va ingen sjöman.
– RANZO, boys, RANZO!

* 2 *

Han tjänt som skräddarlärling.
Av juling fiek han täring.

* 3 *

Å Ranzo fick the notion
en dag to cross the ocean.

* 4 *

Så från en Bond Street tailor
han shipped on board a whaler.

* 5 *

En shilling blev hans hyra.
Men åt han gjorde för fyra.

* 6 *

Han slog för skepparns kärring,
en sur och saltad herring.

* 7 *

Så ramlan ner från riggen,
så skorna tappa pliggen.

* 8 *

På hundvakten om natten
han åts av svarta katten.

* 9 *

Och när i brassar stramar,
av all krafter jamar

Related to this sea shanty

Walk Me Along Johnny

Sally Brown (B) – Robbins version

What is in the Pot A-boiling