Svineper

Interesting Facts about the Svineper

The Dirty Old Pig or Svineper was the most popular pumping shanty of all Scandinavian. The original was the Norvegian, but also we can find the German and Swedish versions. A couple of facts about this song, first Stan Hugill first time heard this song from shantyman Paddy Griffiths, who get this song from Norwegian barque. The second version that you can see here is Stan Hugill from “Opsang Fra Seilskibstiden”, but the tune Stan Hugill learned from a Norwegian sailor is called”Big Skan”. A third and most intriguing fact is that choruses are in five different languages.
In the Norwegian version, a play on words is very noticeable. There is mention of a “real” pig, but usually, more often the reference is to the skipper – a dirty old hog, i. e. Svineper.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 232, 233).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 232, 233).

The Record of the Svineper

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.

Svineper - Pump Shanty

The musical notation

Svineper - notation

The full lyrics

Svineper

Udi Parmerent i Holand, der laa en gammal Brigg,
Forsilten vardens skorg, og forsliten var dens rigg,
– Oberland, zum pao wand, Oberland zum par wand,
– Til Drøbak med han Svineper vi tidsnok Komme Kan.

* 2 *

Det fandtes ikke kompas eller mathaus ved dens ratt,
Vi styrte efter pullen i Per Svine’s gamle hatt;
– Ober land zum par wand, ober land zum par wand,
– Til Drøbak med han Svineper vi tindsnok komme kan.

* 3 *

Kahytten den var umalt, men ruffen der var god,
Og Køierne var malte med vaeggelusblod;
– Overland som tibrands, overlands som paa vand,
– Til Drøbak med den Griseper vi aldrig komme kan.

* 4 *

Skutesiden den ratten og daekket hak i hul,
Og ratten bare et gammelt kjaerrehjul;
– Overland som paa vand, overland som paa vand,
– Til Drøbak med den Grisper vi aldrig komme kan.

* 5 *

Vi matte pumpe laens imellem hvert et glas,
Og naar vi gik fra haven, skar vi katten ind til bras;
– Gi mig ranson paa vand, gi mig ranson paa vand
– Og fire mand i giggen satte Svineper iland.

* 6 *

Vi hadde ikke bramsel, vi heiste op et skjort,
Og jamen holdt det godt saalaenge veiret det var tort;
– Gi mig ranson paa vand, gi mig ranson paa vand,
– Og fire mand giggen satte Svineper iland.

* 7 *

Og baasmanden spytta, han sver og bandte paa,
At grastaug til taljerip fik’n aldrig til at staa;
– Hive langsomt fra land, hive langsomt fra land,
– Der Bergenske møer snart møte nok vi kan.

* 8 *

Og naar vi først var kommet et stykke ut fra land,
Drak Svineper mer braendevin end alle mand drakvand;
– Hive langsomt fra land, hive langsomt fra land,
– De Bergenske møer snart møte nok vi kan.

* 9 *

Det var Søndagsmorra, vi blev purret ut til baut,
Men naar vi saa i luka, laa kjølsvinet og flaut;
– Kors i Herrans namn, hur det går langsomt från land,
– Vi hurra for den resan, när vi kom til Köpenhamn.

* 10 *

Og engang i vekka vi melkevelling fik,
Da fik vi suge purka som om paa daekket gik;
– Kors i Herrans namn, hur det går langsomt från land,
– Vi hurra för den resan, när vi kom til Köpenhamn.

Related to this sea shanty

Way Stormalong, John

Santiana (A)

The Plains of Mexico (B)

Blow The Man Down (F)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (F)

Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down (F)”. This version Stan Hugill learned from his old shipmate Paddy Griffiths. He told him that “Bungyereye” was a slang term for a certain brand of whisky very popular towards the end of the XIX century.
I would also like to thank Artur Pietrzykowski for the wonderful illustration that you can find at the beginning of the record.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: Stan Hugill left a record on his album: “Chants des Marins Anglais (1992)” where singing with Stormalong John, and this is a version with melody and tempo, I try to replicate.

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 211, 212).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (F)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( F ) - Halyard Shanty

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (F)

Jack bein’ a sailor, he walked London town,
– Timme WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
She bein’ a damsel that walked up an’ down.
– Ooh! GIMME us some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

She came over to Jack and axed if he’d buy,
‘I have here in me basket some young Bungyereye.’

* 3 *

‘Be-damn me,’ sez Jack, ‘Oh, what can this be?’
‘The finest o’ whisky from far German-ee.

* 4 *

‘Smuggled over in a basket an’ sold on the sly,
An’ it goes by the name o’ the Young Bungyereye.’

* 5 *

Jack slipped her a pound an’ he thought nothing strange.
‘Hold the basket, young man, while I goes for the change.

* 6 *

‘An’ ax all them sailors, as they pass you by,
Would they care for to purchase some young Bungyereye.’

* 7 *

Jack waited an hour an’ he thought it wuz strange,
‘Tis a hell o’ a time fer to wait fer me change!

* 8 *

He waited all evening but the maid she had flown.
Then out of the basket there came a low moan.

* 9 *

Jack opened the basket, the srtings did unite,
Rolled up in brown paper wuz a fat little boy!

* 10 *

To git babe christened young Jack was intent,
So he steered a straight course, to the passon he went.

* 11 *

‘What name shall I call it?’ the passon did cry.
‘What name shall ye call it?’ says Jack. ‘Bungyereye!’

* 12 *

‘Bungyereye!’ sez the passon. ‘Well that’s a queet name.’
‘Be damned me,’ sez Jack. “Tis the queer way it came.

* 13 *

‘For istead of strong whisky that I chanct to buy,
Rolled up in brown paper wuz young Bungyereye.’

* 14 *

Oh, a warnin’, boys, take now, afore we belay,
Don’t ever take heed what pretty gals say.

* 15 *

They’ll leave ye a-holdin’ a fat baby boy,
Instead of a bottle of strong Bungyereye.’

Related to this sea shanty

Blow The Man Down (B1 – first method)

Blow The Man Down (C)

Shanandar – Cecil Sharp version