Hello Somebody

Interesting Facts about the Hello Somebody

“Hello Somebody” is a halyard shanty related to the “Hilo Come Down Below” and “Hilo Boys Hilo”. Stan Hugill’s description of this shanty is quite interesting so first he says, that Captain J. P. Parker it writes a verse of this shanty on his “Log of limejuicer” of the American ship “Tusitalia”, on page 40. Stan Hugill’s version comes from Harding Barbadian who told him that was very popular in ships with “coloured” crews. Also, William Main Doerflinger in his book gives a three-verse example of this song, with an introductory verse chorus from the singing of Capitan Baker, who learned this shanty from American “coloured” seamen called ‘Lemon’ Curtis, aboard the ship “Dovenby Hall”.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 256).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 257).

The Record of the Hilo Boys Hilo

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.

Hello Somebody - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Hello Somebody - music notation

The full lyrics

Hello Somebody

Somebody’s knockin’at the garden gate,
– Hello, somebody, Hello!
It’s dirty Dick an’ his dirty mate,
– Hello, somebody, Hello!

* 2 *

Somebody’s knockin’ with a blody stick,
It’s Dirty Dick from New Brunswick,

* 3 *

Somebody’s knockin’ at the Gates o ‘Hell.
It’s Bully John an’ we knows him well.

* 4 *

Somebody’s knockin’ at the Gates o’ Heaven,
There wuz eight little nigger boys an’ now there’s seven.

* 5 *

Saint Peter’s knockin’ on the fo’c’sle door,
Guess I ain’t ready for the Golden Shore.

* 6 *

Somebody’s hangin’ on to this ‘ere line,
The blighter oughter rise an’ shine!

* 7 *

Haul away an’ make yer pay,
Haul away for Saccrappa Bay.

* 8 *

She’s knockin’ up the miles, reelin’ off the knots,
When we get to Boston, we’ll drink lots.

Related to this sea shanty

Hilo Come Down Below

Blow The Man Down – Terry Version

Ane Madam – Bergen Version (Norwegian)

Hilo Come Down Below

Interesting Facts about the Hilo Come Down Below

“Hilo Come Down Below” is another shanty with the word “Hilo”. This is a close related shanty to the “Hilo, Johnny Brown”. This is the halyard shanty, and Stan Hugill tells us is an obvious Negro origin. The only different version from this one in print we can find in Frank T Bullen’s book. This song Stan Hugill learned from his shipmate, great shantyman Harding Barbadian.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 255, 256).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 255, 256).

The Record of the Hilo Boys Hilo

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.

Hilo Come Down Below - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Hilo Come Down Below - music notation

The full lyrics

Hilo Come Down Below

A Black Bird sat in a walnut tree,
– HI-lo, come DOWN below!
A ping-a-pong-in’ on his ol’ banje,
– HI-lo! come DOWN below!

* 2 *

Said the blackbird to the crow,
Come down below wid the whole ‘yer crew,

* 3 *

The crow flew down to Mobile Town,
Met a high yaller gal called Sally Brown.

* 4 *

Said the blacbird to the crow,
Don’t tell them yaller gals all yer know.

* 5 *

The blackbird sang, the crow said ‘caw’,
Gotter set this sail by half pas’ four.

* 6 *

The blackbird flapped his wings an’ crowed,
Why does a chicken cross the road?

* 7 *

If the sun don’ shine, then the hens don’ lay,
If we don’ haul, we git no pay.

* 8 *

One more pull, to ol’ crow cried,
We got to hurry for to catch the tide!

Related to this sea shanty

Blow The Man Down (IV – Doerflinger)

Hilo Boys Hilo

Blow The Man Down (V – Doerflinger)

Ranzo Ray C

Interesting Facts about the Ranzo Ray C

Ranzo Ray 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 Harding Barbadian, he also informed us 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 249). I try to recreate this song from hearted Stan Hugill’s version from the album “Shanties From The Seven Seas” (1962), with The York & Albany Crew.

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 249).

The Record of the Ranzo Ray 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.

Ranzo Ray C - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Ranzo Ray C - music notation

The full lyrics

Ranzo Ray C

We’re homeward bound from China, oh, aboard a Limey Liner –,
– RANzo, Ranzo, AWAY, a way!
We’re gettin’ out our long tall blues ter waltz the gals a -round
– Timme HI-lo, me Ranzo RAY!

* 2 *

We’ve ploughed the whole world over an’ now soon we’ll be off Dover.
We’ve ploughed the over, like a proper deepsea rover,

* 3 *

We’ll pass the cliffs of Dover, oh, an’ soon we’ll be in clover,
We’ll anchor in the Downs, for we’re bound for London Town.

* 4 *

We’re loaded down with courios from China an’ the Indias,
We’ll soon be seein’ all the gals, the gals we do adore.

* 5 *

We’ll drink an’ have our fun, sez every jolly Jonny,
The gals are waitin’ on the pier – the soon will have our money.

Related to this sea shanty

Ranzo Ray B

Where Am I To Go M’ Johnnies?

Blow The Man Down (B2 – second method)

The Codfish Shanty

Interesting Facts about The Codfish Shanty

One another version of the very popular capstan shanty “South Australia” is a version called “The Codfish Shanty”, and it’s due to on account of the prominence of the codfish in this shanty. The following version is got by Stan Hugill from his shipmate shantymen Harding (American version), and Paddy Delaney old-timer who told Stan Hugill about British alternatives.

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 196).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 196).

The Record of The Codfish 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 Codfish Shanty - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The Codfish Shanty - music notation

The full lyrics

The Codfish Shanty

Down east gals ain’t got no combs,
– Heave away! Heave away!
They comb their hair wi’a whale fish bone,
– An’ we’re bound for south Australia!

– Heave-away, me bully, bully boys,
– Heave-away! Heave away!
– Heave away, why don’t ye make some noise?
– An’ we’re bound for South Australia!

* 2 *

Yankee gals don’t sleep on beds,
They go to sleep on codfish’s heads,

* 3 *

Cape Cod gals have got big feet,
Codfish’s rows is nice an’ sweet.

* 4 *

Quaker gals don’t wear no frills,
They’re tight an’ skinny as a halibut’s gills.

* 5 *

Glou’ster gals make damn fine cooks,
They’re good at catching sprats on hooks.

* 6 *

Nantucket gals are very fine,
They know how to bait a codfish line.

Related to this sea shanty

Round The Bay Of Mexico

Rio Grande (D)

Rio Grande (E)

Roll Boys Roll!

Interesting Facts about Roll Boys Roll!

This is another “Roll” halyard shanty that comes from Stan Hugill’s friend, Harding, “Roll, Boys, Roll!”. According to Stan Hugill, when Harding Barbadian from Barbados sang it had its full complement of grace notes and yells, this song has the first time in print in Stan Hugill’s “Shanties From The Seven Seas”.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 170).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 170).

The Record of the Roll Boys Roll!

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.

Roll, Boys, Roll! - halyard shanty

The full lyrics

Roll Boys Roll!

Oh! Sally Brown she’s the gal for me, boys,
– ROLL, boys, ROOLL boys, roll!
Sally Brown she’s the gal for me, boys,
– WAY, high, Miss SALLY Brown!

* 2 *

We’re bound away — ‘way down south, boys,
We’re bound away — ‘way down south, boys,

* 3 *

We’re rollin’ down to Trinidad to see Miss Sally Brown
We’re rollin’ down to Trinidad to see Miss Sally Brown

* 4 *

Oh, she’s lovely up aloft, an’ she’s lovely down below.
Oh, she’s lovely up aloft, an’ she’s lovely down below.

* 5 *

She’s lovely up aloft, an’ she’s lovely down below,
She’s lovely ‘cos she loves me, boys, that’s all I want ter know.

* 6 *

Ol’ Capen Baker, how do yer stow yer cargo?
Some I stow for’ard, boys, an’ some I stow arter.

* 7 *

Forty fathoms or more below, boys,
There’s forty fathom or more below, boys,

* 8 *

Oh, way high ya, an’ up she rises,
O way high ya, an’ the blocks is different sizes.

* 9 *

One more pull–don’t yer hear the mate a-bawlin’?
One more pull, dat’s the end of all our haulin’.

Related to this shanty

A Long Time Ago – Gordon Hitchcock version

Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Halyard version

The Sailor Fireman (I’ll Fire Dis Trip)

Where Am I To Go M’ Johnnies?

Interesting Facts about Where Am I To Go M’ Johnnies?

This is another “Roll” halyard shanty that comes from Stan Hugill’s friend, Harding, “Where Am I To Go, M’ Johnnies?”. According to Stan Hugill, Harding Barbadian from Barbados sang this shanty with many wild yelps and “hitches”, this song has been the first time in print in Stan Hugill’s “Shanties From The Seven Seas”.
It is also worth mentioning, that the only exceptional great use of Harding’s wild yelps and “hitches”, you can find in the CD record attached to Jim Mageean’s great book “Haul Away – A Collection of Hauling Shanties Compiled by Jim Mageean”.
Like many shanties, it mentions the Black Ball Line of Trans-Atlantic sailing packets which operated from 1818 until 1878.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 169).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 169, 170).

The Record of the Where Am I To Go M’ Johnnies?

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.

Where Am I To Go, M' Johnnies? - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Where Am I To Go M' Johnnies? music notation

The full lyrics

Where Am I To Go, M’ Johnnies?

Where am I to go, me Johnnies? O, where am I to go?
– To me WAY hay, hay, high, ROLL an’ go!
O, where am I to go, me Johnnies? O, where am I to go?
– For I’M a young sailor boy, an’ WHERE am I to go?

* 2 *

‘Way up on that t’gallant yard, that’s where yer bound to go,
‘Way up on that t’gallant yard, that’s where yer bound to go,

* 3 *

‘Way up on that t’gallant yard an’ take that gans’l in.
‘Way up on that t’gallant yard an’ take that gans’l in.

* 4 *

Yer bound away around Cape Horn, that’s where yer that gans’l in,
Yer bound away around Cape Horn, that’s where yer that gans’l in.

* 5 *

Yer bound away through ice an’ snow, that’s where yer bound to go.
Yer bound away through ice an’ snow, that’s where yer bound to go.

Related to this sea shanty

A Long Time Ago (G)

A Long Time Ago – Harding Barbadian melody version

De Hoffnung – English Translation

High O Come Roll Me Over!

Interesting Facts about the High O Come Roll Me Over!

High O Come Roll Me Over! shanty, was given as a halyard shanty, and in this way, I will try to recreate it, but Stan Hugill claims it more likely can be used for tack and sheets. This song comes from Stan Hugill’s friend, Harding, who declared still being sung (in 1932) for rolling logs in the West Indies – the roll coming on the word, where the drag would be on the rope.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 169).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 169).

The Record of the High O Come Roll Me Over!

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.

High O, Come Roll Me Over! - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

High O Come Roll Me Over! music notation

The full lyrics

High O, Come Roll Me Over!

Oho, why don’t you blow?
– HIGH-O! Come Roll me over!
Oho, why don’t you blow?
– HIGH-O! Come Roll me over!

* 2 *

One man to strike the bell,
One man to strike the bell,

* 3 *

To men to man the wheel.
To men to man the wheel.

* 4 *

Three men, to’gallant braces.
Three men, to’gallant braces.

* 5 *

Four men to board the tack.
Four men to board the tack.

* 6 *

Five men to have the lead.
Five men to have the lead.

* 7 *

Six men, to furl t’g’ns’ls.
Six men, to furl t’g’ns’ls.

* 8 *

Seven men to bunt-a-bo.
Seven men to bunt-a-bo.

Related to this sea shanty

A Long Time Ago (D)

Roll The Cotton Down (E)

A Long Time Ago (E)

Randy Dandy O!

Interesting Facts about Randy Dandy O!

Another representative of “roll and go” is “Randy Dandy O!”, a capstan and pumps song heard mainly aboard the old Cape Horners. This song comes from my favored shantyman Harding Barbadian, who declared to Stan Hugill, that it was popular on one of the small Nova Scotian barque he was once shipped in.

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 168).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 168).

The Record of the Randy Dandy O!

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.

Randy Dandy O! - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

Randy Dandy O! music notation

And the full lyrics

Randy Dandy O!

Now we are ready to head for the Horn,
– Way, ay, roll an, go!
Our boots an, our clothes, boys, are all in the pawn,
– Timme rollockin’ randy dandy O!

– Heave a pawl, O heave away!
– Way ay, roll an, go!
– The anchor’s on board an’ the cable’s all stored,
– Timme rollockin’ randy dandy O!

* 2 *

Soon we’ll be warping out through the locks,
Where the pretty young gals all come down in their flocks,

* 3 *

Come breast the bars, bullies, an’ heave her away,
Soon we’ll be rollin’ her ‘way down the Bay,

* 4 *

Sing goodbye to Sally an’ goodbye to Sue,
For we are the boy-os who can kick ‘er through.

* 5 *

Oh, man the stout caps’n an’ heave with a will,
Soon we’ll be drivin’ her ‘way down the hill.

* 6 *

Heave away, bullies, ye parish-rigged bums,
Take yer hands from yer pockets and don’t suck yer thumbs.

* 7 *

Roust ‘er up, the wind’s drawin’ free,
Let’s get the glad-rags on an’ drive ‘er to sea.

* 8 *

We’re outward bound for Vallipo Bay,
Get crackin’, m’ lads, ’tis a hell o’ a way!

Related to this sea shanty

Rio Grande (F)

Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

Rio Grande (A. Connan Doyle version)

Sally Brown (A2)

Interesting Facts about Sally Brown (A2)

This I another “roll” shanty, the most famous “Roll an’ Go!”, also known as “Sally Brown (A2)”. This is a capstan shanty, as Stan Hugill mentions it is only one theme of this song, and it is – all about Sally and her daughter. As the author of “Shanties from The Seven Seas” mentioned – there existed many obscene verses, which accounts partly for the fact that popularity never waned! Worth mentioning is the fact that most of the verses Stan Hugill has from my favored shantyman (due to his yelps), Harding Barabadaian the West Indian Seamen.

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 163).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 163, 164).

The Record of the Sally Brown (A2)

In this reconstruction, I will only sing two verses to show another version mentioned by Stan Hugill. The melody of this version differs from the previous ending.

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.

Sally Brown A2 - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

sally-brown-a2 music notation

The full lyrics

Sally Brown (A2)

Ooh! Saly Brown she’s a bright mulatter,
– Way-hay, Roll an’ go!
She drinks rum an’ chaws terbacker,
– Spend my money on Sally Brown!

* 2 *

Sally lives on the old plantation,
She is daughter of the Wild Goose Nation.

Related to this sea shanty

Bound for the Rio Grande (Cecil Sharp Version)

Rio Grande (B)

A Long Time Ago (C)

Sally Brown (A)

Interesting Facts about Sally Brown (A)

This is another “roll” shanty, the most famous “Roll an’ Go!”, also known as “Sally Brown”, Sally Brown (A) is the capstan shanty, as Stan Hugill mentions it is only one theme in this song, and it is – all about Sally and her daughter. As an author of “Shanties from The Seven Seas” mentioned – there existed many obscene verses, which accounts partly for the fact that popularity never waned! Worth mentioning is the fact that most of the verses Stan Hugill has from my favored shantyman (due to his yelps), Harding Barabadaian the West Indian Seamen.

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 162).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 163, 164).

The Record of the Sally Brown (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.

Sally Brown A - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

sally-brown-a music notation

The full lyrics

Sally Brown (A)

Ooh! Sally Brown she’s a bright mulatter,
– Way-hay, Roll an’ go!
She drinks rum an’ chaws terbacker,
– Spend my money on Sally Brown!

* 2 *

Sally lives on the old plantation,
She is daughter of the Wild Goose Nation.

* 3 *

Seven long years I courted Sally,
But all she did was dilly-dally,

* 4 *

Sally Brown’s a big buck creole,
Her bow is big, but her starn is bigger.

* 5 *

I brought her growns an’ I bought ‘er laces,
Took her out to all the places.

* 6 *

Sally’s teeth are white an’ pearly,
Her eyes are black an’ her hair is curly.

* 7 *

Sally lives in ol’ Jamaica,
Sellin’ rum an’ grown’ terbacker

* 8 *

I call her my ol, Queen of Faces,
Bought her coral beads an’ laces.

* 9 *

The sweetest flower in the valley,
Is my own my pretty Sally.

* 10 *

Sally Brown, what is the matter?
Pretty gal, but can’t git at her.

* 11 *

Sally Brown, I love ye dearly,
Ye had me heart, or very nearly.

* 12 *

Sally Brown’s a wild ol’ lady,
Sally’s got a creole baby

* 13 *

Sally Brown she wouldn’t marry,
An’ I no longer cared to tarry.

* 14 *

Sally Brown, I love yer daughter,
I love Yer farm beside the water.

* 15 *

Sally Brown, I kissed yer daughter,
Stopped her rum an’ gave her water.

* 16 *

She wouldn’t have a tarry sailor,
So I shipped away in a New Bedford whaler.

* 17 *

Sally Brown, I took a notion,
To sail across the flamin’ ocean.

* 18 *

I shipped away in a New Bedford whaler,
When I got back she wuz courtin’ a tailor.

* 19 *

Now me troubles they are over,
Sally’s married to a creol solider.

* 20 *

He beat her up an’ stole her money,
Then left her with a creol baby.

21 *

Sally Brown, I’m bound ter leave yer,
Sally Brown, I’ll not deceive yer.

Related to this sea shanty

Bound for the Rio Grande (Cecil Sharp Version)

Rio Grande (B)

A Long Time Ago (C)