Shanties from the seven seas

The Drummer And The Cook

Interesting Facts about The Drummer And The Cook

“The Drummer And The Cook”, song gived to us by Richard Runciman Terry on his “The Shanty Book part II” (1926). Terry thell us that:
“This obviously a music-hall song taken over wholesale. I learnt it from Captain John Runciman, who in turn had it from the cook of the Blyth brig “Norththumberland”, in which vessel it was used as a shanty.”
Terry forgot the whole song but the first verse, so from his memory, he did reconstruct a great length of this song, but of course, he does not have warrant that the words were the original he heard in his past.
I will reconstruct this song as a capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Shanty Book part II” (1926) – Richard Runciman Terry.
The lyrics: “The Shanty Book part II” (1926) – Richard Runciman Terry.
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 460).

The Record of The Drummer And The Cook

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 Drummer And The Cook - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The Drummer And The Cook - music notation

The full lyrics

The Drummer And The Cook

Oh, there was a’ little drummer and he loved a one-eyed cook,
An’ he loved her; O he loved her through she had a cook-eyed look,
– With her one eye in the pot, and the t’other up the chimney,
– with a bow, wow, wow, fallal the dowadidy, bow, wow, wow!

* 2 *

When this couple went a-courtin’ for to walk along the shore,
Sez the drummer to the cookie, “You’re the gel that I adore”.

* 3 *

When this couple went a-courtin’ for to walk along the pier,
Sez the cookie to the drummer “An’ I love you too, my dear.”

* 4 *

Sez the drommer to the cookie, “Aint the weather fine to-day?”
Sez the cookie to the drummer, “Is that all ye got to say?”

* 5 *

Sez the drummer to the cookie, @Will I buy the weddin’ ring?
Sez the cookie “Now you’;re talkin’. That would be the very thing.”

* 6 *

Sez the drummer to the cookie, “Will ye name the weddin’ day?”
Sez the cookie, “We’ll be married in the merry month o’ May”.

* 7 *

When they went to church to say “I will”, the drummer got a nark
For her one eye gliffed the Parson, and the t’other killed the Clerk.

Related to this sea shanty

Jamboree (Whall)

Whoop Jamboree (Terry)

Whip Jamboree (Sharp)

De Sandy Boy

Interesting Facts about the De Sandy Boy

“De Sandy Boy” is a capstan shanty with pure “Negro” origin. The song comes from Sigurd Sternvall’s book, “Sang Under Segel” (1935). Stan Hugill tells us that the song was probably only heard on ships with chequer-board crews, and was originally a riverman’s song.
I will reconstruct this song as a capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 459).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 459).

The Record of the De Sandy Boy

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.

De Sandy Boy - Capstain Shanty

The musical notation

De Sandy Boy - music notation

And the full lyrics

De Sandy Boy

When I went down de river in the ole tobacco boat,
De boat upset away we went, right down the Old shark’s throat.

– Do come along, my sandy boy,
– Do come along, oh, do!
– What will Uncle Gabriel say?
– Oh, Sally, can’t you too?

* 2 *

When I went down to Amiack to her de people pray,
I laid my head on a white girl’s lap and my black girl fainted away.

* 3 *

When I went down to New Orleans to see de boatman row,
I set myself down on a rock an’ played the old banjo.

* 4 *

Then I went down to Alo, to buy a little goat,
The ole shark came behind us and swallowed down de boat.

* 5 *

Sally swam an’ so did I an’ thus to me did say,
‘You have lost my uncle’s boat, an’ for it you must pay.’

* 6 *

I lub de black gals an’ de white, an’ I lub all de rest,
I lub my black gal very well, but I lub myself de best.

* 7 *

Then I went down to New Virgie, to buy another boat,
An ole shark came before us an’ de boat run down his throat.

* 8 *

When I went to Uncle Gabriel, he asked me for de boat,
I said, ‘Ole nigger, it’s all right, it’s down de ole shark’s throat.’

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Old English Chantey

Interesting Facts about the Old English Chantey

“Old English Chantey” is a forebitter, sometimes used at the pumps. This version, without the tune from an article “Old Songs Men Have Sung” by Frothingham, printed in the American magazine “Adventure”. I will use one of the Stan Hugill melodies (the first one from The Bosuns Alphabet”) to reconstruct these beautiful lyrics.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 458).

The Record of the Old English Chantey

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.

Old English Chantey - Forebitter

The musical notation

Old English Chantey - music notation

The full lyrics

Old English Chantey

A’s for the Anchor that hangs o’er our bow,
B’s for the Bowsprit, as every one knows,
C’s for the Capstan we merrily walk around,
D is for a Davits which lower our boat down,

– So merry, so merry, so merry are we,
– No mortals on earth like a sailors at sea.
– Hi derry, ho derry, hey derry down,
– Give sailors their grog and there’s nothing goes wrong!

* 2 *

E’s for the Ensign which at our peak flew,
F’s for the Fo’c’sle where live all our crew,
G’s for the Guns where our brave boys did stand,
H’s for the Hawsers, that never will strand.

* 3 *

I’s for the Irons where our booms ship;
J’s for the Jibs that so neatly do sit;
K’s for the Keelson, of which we are told;
L’s for the Lanyard that keeps a good hold.

* 4 *

M’s is for the Mainmast to stout and so strong;
N’s for the Needle that never points wrong;
O’s for the Oars of our jolly-boat;
P’s for the Pinnacle that always will float.

* 5 *

Q’s for the Quarterdeck, where our officers stand;
R’s for the Rudder, keeps the ship in command;
S’s for the SStuns’ls that drive her along;
T’s for the Topsails we hoist with a song.

* 6 *

U’s for Union which we all adore;
V’s for the Vane which flies at our fore,
W’s for the Wheel at which we stand our time,
And the other three letters you can’t bring in rhyme.

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

Bosuns Alphabet

Interesting Facts about the Bosuns Alphabet

“Bosuns Alphabet” is a forebitter, sometimes used at the pumps. This version, which gives us Stan Hugill, comes from his friend Jack Birch of Plymouth. Here is the second version from Stan Hugill’s book; it is the same as the first one, with an alternative chorus.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 457).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 457,458).

The Record of the Bosuns Alphabet

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.

Bosuns Alphabet - Forebitter

The musical notation

Bosuns Alphabet - music notation

The full lyrics

The Bosuns Alphabet

A is for the Anchor that lies at our bow,
B is for the Bowsprit, an’ the jibs all lie low,
oh C is for the Caps’n we all run around,
D is for a Davits to low’r the boat down,

– So merrily, so merrily, so merrily sail we,
– There’s no one on earth like a sailor at sea,
– Sing high sing low! as the ship rolls along,
– Give a sailor his rum an’ there’s nothing goes wrong!

* 2 *

E is for the Earring when reefing we haul,
F is for the Fo’c’sle where the bullies do brawl,
Oh! G is for the Galley where the saltjunk smells strong,
H is for the Halyards we hoist with a song.

* 3 *

I is for the Eyebolt–no good for the feet,
J is for the Jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet,
Oh! K is for the Knightheads where the shantyman stands,
L is for the Leeside hard found by new hands.

* 4 *

M is for the Maindeck–as white as new snow,
N is for the Nigger gals in the land which we go,
Oh! O is for the Orlop, ‘neath the ‘tweendecks it lays,
P is for the Peter flown on sailin’ day.

* 5 *

Q is for the Quadrant–to thw wheel it lies near,
R is for the Rudder–it helps us to steer,
Oh! S is for the Sheerpole over which we must climb,
T is for the Topmen, ‘way aloft every time.

* 6 *

U is for Uniform–only worn aft,
V is for the Vangs running from the main gaff,
Ph! W is for the Water–we’re on pint an’ pound,
X marks the Spot where Ol’ Stormy wuz drowned.

* 7 *

Y is for Yardarm–needs a good sailorman,
Z is for Zoe–I’m her fancy man,
So this is the end of me bully ol’ song,
Heave away, bullies, oh, heave long an’ strong!

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

The Bosuns Alphabet

Interesting Facts about The Bosuns Alphabet

“Bosuns Alphabet” is a forebitter, sometimes used at the pumps. This version, which gives us Stan Hugill, comes from his friend Jack Birch of Plymouth.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456,457).

The Record of The Bosuns Alphabet

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 Bosuns Alphabet - Forebitter

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Bosuns Alphabet

A is for the Anchor that lies at our bow,
B is for the Bowsprit, an’ the jibs all lie low,
oh C is for the Caps’n we all run around,
D is for a Davits to low’r the boat down,

– sooo! merrily, so merrily, so merrily sail we,
– There’s no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea,
– Blow high or blow low! as the ship rolls along,
– Give a sailor his grog an’ there’s nothing goes wrong!

* 2 *

E is for the Earring when reefing we haul,
F is for the Fo’c’sle where the bullies do brawl,
Oh! G is for the Galley where the saltjunk smells strong,
H is for the Halyards we hoist with a song.

* 3 *

I is for the Eyebolt–no good for the feet,
J is for the Jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet,
Oh! K is for the Knightheads where the shantyman stands,
L is for the Leeside hard found by new hands.

* 4 *

M is for the Maindeck–as white as new snow,
N is for the Nigger gals in the land which we go,
Oh! O is for the Orlop, ‘neath the ‘tweendecks it lays,
P is for the Peter flown on sailin’ day.

* 5 *

Q is for the Quadrant–to thw wheel it lies near,
R is for the Rudder–it helps us to steer,
Oh! S is for the Sheerpole over which we must climb,
T is for the Topmen, ‘way aloft every time.

* 6 *

U is for Uniform–only worn aft,
V is for the Vangs running from the main gaff,
Ph! W is for the Water–we’re on pint an’ pound,
X marks the Spot where Ol’ Stormy wuz drowned.

* 7 *

Y is for Yardarm–needs a good sailorman,
Z is for Zoe–I’m her fancy man,
So this is the end of me bully ol’ song,
Heave away, bullies, oh, heave long an’ strong!

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

The Chinee Bumboatman

Interesting Facts about the The Chinee Bumboatman

“The Chinee Bumboatman”, usually forebitter, this version, which comes from Bill Fuller. According to him, it was also used for pumps. The song had a probable beginning in the Royal Navy, on the China coast.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 455).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 455,456).

The Record of the The Chinee Bumboatman

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 Chinee Bumboatman - Forebitter

The musical notation

The Chinee Bumboatman - music notation

The full lyrics

The Chinee Bumboatman

Till sing ye a story o’ trouble an’ woe, That ‘ll cause ya to shoulder an’ shiver,
Concernin’ a Chinee bumboatman, that sailed the Yang-Tze River,
He wuz a heathen o’ ‘igh degree, As the jass-house records show,
His family name wuz Wing Chang Loo, But the sailors all called him Jim Crow-se-aye-oh-ee-eye,

– Hitchee-kum, kitche-kum, ya! ya! ya!
– Sailorman no like me,
– No savvy the story of Wing Chang Loo,
– Too much of the bober-eye-ee, Kye-eye!

* 2 *

Now Wing Chang Loo he feel in love, with a gal called Ah Chu Fong.
She ‘ad two eye like pumpkin seeds, an’ slippers two inches long,
But Ah Chu Fong loved a pirate bold with all her heart an’ liver,
He wuz capitan of a double-decked junk, an’ he sailed the Yang-Tze River-eye-iver-eye!

* 3 *

When Wing Chang Loo he head o’ this, he swore an’ ‘oribble oath:
‘If Ah Chu marries that pirate bold, I’ll make sausage meat o’ ’em both.’
So he hoisted his blood-red battle flag, put into the Yang-Tze River,
He steered her east an, south an’ west, till that pirate he did diskiver-eye-iver-eye.

* 4 *

The drums they beat to quarters an’ the cannons did loudly roar,
The red-‘ot dumplin’s flew like lead, an’ the scuppers they ran with gore.
The pirate paced the quarter deck with never a shake nor a shiver,
He wuz shot in the stern wi’ a hard-boiled egg, that pinitrated his liver-eye-iver-eye.

* 5 *

The dyin’ pirate feebly cried, ‘We’ll give the foe more shot,
If I can’t marry Ah Chu Fong, then Wing Chang Loo shall not.’
When a pease-pudden ‘ot hit the bumboat’s side, it caused a ‘orrible scene,
It upset a pot of ‘ot bow-wow soup, an’ exploded the magazye-eenee-eye-eenee!

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

Whisky youre my darling

Interesting Facts about the Whisky youre my darling

“Whisky youre my darling”, by Stan Hugill possible related to the “John Bull” hand-over-hand song. Song comes from “Journal of The Folk Song Society” – No 32 (December, 1928, page 96). It was sung by Mr. W. Tarr of Bodmin, Cornwall, and noted by Messrs. T. Miners and J. E. Thomas in 1924. Stan Hugill also claims that song doesn’t have any connection with very popular “Whisky Johnny”.
I will reconstruct this song as a folk song.

The source of the Whisky youre my darling

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).

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.

Whisky youre my darling - Folk Song

The musical notation

Whisky youre my darling - music notation

The full lyrics

Whisky youre my darling

For ’tis goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat, and goodbye Mary Ann,
I’m goin’ away this very day to the dear Americo,
For the ship lies in the harbour, As ev’rybody knows,
And here’s to good old Ireland where the dear old shamrock grows.
Whisky, you’re my darling, Whisky, you’re my friend,
Whisky, you’re my darling drunk or sober.

Related to Shule Agra

The Irish Emigrant – Irish Folk Song

Heave Away – American Folk Song

Mainsail Haul – Sampson

John Bull

Interesting Facts about the John Bull

“John Bull” is a hand-over-hand song used for stays’ls and other light sails. There is only one known version of this song, and it comes from Sigurd Sternvall’s “Sang Under Segel” (1935) (1st ed, p. 356). Sternvall, in his book, says, ” It was a very popular ditty and ship-shanty which was fine to use at hand-over-hand or ‘palma’ (palming?) as it was called …” Stan Hugill also says that he does not have proof that it was used aboard British ships.
I will reconstruct this song as the hand-over-hand shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).

The Record of the John Bull

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.

John Bull - Hand-over-hand Shanty

The musical notation

John Bull - music notation

And the full lyrics

John Bull

John Bull lives in England Taffy lives in Wales
Sandy lives in Scotland, Where there is all the girls
But Paddy lives in Ireland as ev’ry body Knows
There never was a coward Where the little shown oak grows

Related to this sea shanty

Do Let Me Lone Susan

Sing Sally O! (version B)

Round The Corner Sally (Harding)

Tiddy High O!

Interesting Facts about the Tiddy High O!

“Tiddy High O!” – halyard shanty which comes from one of the Stan Hugill’s known shantymen Tobago Smith, who told him that song was often heard aboard of the old West Indian traders. Stan Hugill tells us that song is West Indian origin and came probably to England aboard the rum and sugar traders of Bristol.
I will reconstruct this song as the halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 453).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 453).

The Record of the Tiddy High 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.

Tiddy High O! - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Tiddy High O! - music notation

And the full lyrics

Tiddy High O!

An’ now we are bound for ol’ Bristol town,
– TIDDY high O! high HAY!
Goodbye to them block gals, the yellars an’ the browns,
– TIDDY high O! high HAY, high hay!

* 2 *

Oh, old Sally Rackett of Kingston Town,
I spent quite a packet on her new silk gown,

* 3 *

We loaded our packet with sugar an’ rum,
Goodbye to Jamaicy, its gals, an’ its sun.

* 4 *

We’re bound to the nor’ard, to the ice an’ the snow,
We’re bound to the nor’ard Lord let ‘er go!

* 5 *

An’ when we gets back to ol’ Bristol Town,
‘Tis there we will drink an’ sorrow soon drown.

Related to this sea shanty

Do Let Me Lone Susan

Sing Sally O! (version B)

Round The Corner Sally (Harding)

Billy Riley

Interesting Facts about the Billy Riley

“Billy Riley” – halyard shanty which probably started life as a cotton Hoisiers song. Close versions give to us C.F. Smith or Miss Colcord.
I will reconstruct this song as the halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 452).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 452, 453).

The Record of the Billy Riley

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.

Billy Riley - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Billy Riley - music notations

And the full lyrics

Billy Riley

Oh, Billy Riley was a dancing master,
– Yo-HO! Billy Riley OH!
Old Billy Riley, Screw him up so cheer’-ly,
– Yo-HO! Billy Riley OH!

* 2 *

Old Billy Riley wuz master of a drogher,
Old Billy Riley screw him up so cheer’ly

* 3 *

Old Billy Riley wuz a ladies’ man,

* 4 *

Old Billy Riley – little Missus Riley,

Related to this sea shanty

Do Let Me Lone Susan

Sing Sally O! (version B)

Round The Corner Sally (Harding)