“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.
The musical notation
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
“Billy Boy B”, according to Richard Runciman Terry, is a Northumbrian capstan shanty. But for Stan Hugill, it had a wider field than Northumberland. He tells us that he met seamen from London, Liverpool, and South Wales who also knew about this shanty. The song has two main versions; the most popular one is in a minor key. Both versions come from shore songs. The song in is tipe usually used two shantyman, one for the questions and one for an answers. This one is the most popular, minor version. I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.
The source of the Billy Boy B
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 451). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 451, 452).
The Record of this 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 musical notation
And the full lyrics
Billy Boy B
Where have ye bin all the day, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Where have ye bin all the day, me Billy Boy? I’ve bin walkin’ on the quay, With me charmin’ Nancy Lee, – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 2 *
Can she cook, can she bake, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she cook, can she bake, Billy Boy? Aye, she can cook an’ she can bake, she can make a saffron cake, – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 3 *
Can she darn an’ can she sew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she darn an’ can she sew, me Billy Boy? Aye she can darn an’ she can sew, there is nought she cannot do, – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 4 *
Can she wash an’ can she clean, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she wash an’ can she clean, me Billy Boy? Aye she can wash an’ can she clean, an’ she plays the tambourine, – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 5 *
Is she fit to be yer wife, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Is she fit to be yer wife, me Billy Boy? Aye, she’s fit to be me wife as the fork is to the knife. – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 6 *
Can she cook a bit o’ steak, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she cook a bit o’ steak, me Billy Boy? She can cook a bit o’ steak aye an’ make a gridle cake, – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 7 *
Can she make an Irish stew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she make an Irish stew, me Billy Boy? She can make an Irish stew, aye, an’ singin’ hinnies too, – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 8 *
Does she sleep close unto thee, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Does she sleep close unto thee, me Billy Boy? Aye, she sleeps close unt me, like the bark is to the tree, – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 9 *
Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she make a feather bed, me Billy Boy? She can make a feather bed, fit for any sailor’s head, – Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
“Billy Boy A”, according to Richard Runciman Terry, is a Northumbrian capstan shanty. But for Stan Hugill, it had a wider field than Northumberland. He tells us that he met seamen from London, Liverpool, and South Wales who also knew about this shanty. The song has two main versions; the most popular one is in a minor key. Both versions come from shore songs. The song in is tipe usually used two shantyman, one for the questions and one for an answers. I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 450). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 450, 451).
The Record of the Billy Boy 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
And the full lyrics
Billy Boy A
Where have ye bin all the day, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Where have ye bin all the day, me Billy Boy? I’ve bin walkin’ on the quay, With me charmin’ Nancy Lee, – An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 2 *
Is she fit to be yer wife, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Is she fit to be yer wife, me Billy Boy? Aye, she’s fit to be me wife as the fork is to the knife. – An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 3 *
Can she cook a bit o’ steak, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she cook a bit o’ steak, me Billy Boy? She can cook a bit o’ steak aye an’ make a gridle cake, – An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 4 *
Can she make an Irish stew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she make an Irish stew, me Billy Boy? She can make an Irish stew, aye, an’ singin’ hinnies too, – An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 5 *
Does she sleep close unto thee, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Does she sleep close unto thee, me Billy Boy? Aye, she sleeps close unt me, like the bark is to the tree, – An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 6 *
Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? – Can she make a feather bed, me Billy Boy? She can make a feather bed, fit for any sailor’s head, – An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
“Samuel Hall” is a beautiful capstan shanty, that was based in the old pirate song “Captain Kidd”. J. Reed of the ship “St. Mirren” gave Stan Hugill these verses. Also, Stan Hugill has referred, to that song was sung at the capstan, from the log of a sailing ship bound out to the West Indies. 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 449). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 449, 450).
The Record of this 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 musical notation
And the full lyrics
Samuel Hall
Oh, my name is Samuel Hall, – As we sail! As we sail! Oh, my name is Samuel Hall, – As we sail!
My name is Samuel Hall, an’ I’m only one foot small, Oh, that’s belter than bein’ tall, – As we sail! As we sail! Oh, that’s belter than bein’ tall, – As we sail!
* 2 *
Oh, my name is Bully Bose, – As we sail! As we sail! Oh, my name is Bully Bose, – As we sail!
My name is Bully Bose, an’ me gal is Sara Rose, She’s got jiggers in her toes, – As we sail! As we sail! She’s got jiggers in her toes, – As we sail!
“Captain Kidd” is an old pirate song, the song mentioned by Stan Hugill on the occasion that is base for capstan shanty “Samuel Hall”. I will reconstruct this song as an old pirate song.
The source of this song
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 449). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 449).
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.
The musical notation
The full lyrics
Captain Kidd
Oh, my name is Captain Kidd, – As I sailed, as I sailed, Oh, my name is Captain Kidd, – As I sailed,
My name is Captain Kidd, many wicked things I did, and God’s laws I did forbid, – As I sailed, as I sailed, and God’s laws I did forbid, – As I sailed.
“Hilonday” shanty used at halyards. according to Stan Hugill especially suits for t’gallant sails. The “Hilonday” or as it might well be written “Highland Day”. The version, you see here comes from Harding Barbadian, so we can guess it should be a lot of hitches and yelps. I will reconstruct this song as the halyard shanty.
The source of the Hilonday
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 448). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 448).
The Record of this sea 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 musical notation
The full lyrics
Hilonday
Oh! Boney wuz a warrior; – Ah HILONday! Rise me up, my yaller, yaller gals, – Ah HILONday!
Interesting Facts about the Jean François De Nantes
“Jean François De Nantes” the French version of the English shanty “Boney”, is a halyard shanty based fairly accurately on the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte. Stan Hugill also tells us it was used in others ‘short-haul’ or fore-sheet shanty. I will reconstruct this song as the halyard shanty.
The source of the Jean François De Nantes
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 446). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 446, 447).
The Record of this sea 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 musical notation
The full lyrics
Jean François De Nantes
C’est Jean-François de Nantes – Oué Oué Oué Gabier sur la Fringante, Oh! mes boués! – Jean-Françoué
* 2 *
Débarqu’en fin d’campagne, Fier comm’ un roi d’Espagne, Oh! mes boués!
* 3 *
En vrac dedans sa bourse, Il a vingt mois de courses. Oh! mes boués!
* 4 *
Une montr’, une chaîne, Valant une baleine. Oh! mes boués!
* 5 *
Branl’ bas chez son hôtesse, Bitte et boss et largesse. Oh! mes boués!
* 6 *
La plus belle servante, L’emmén’ dams sa soupente. Oh! mes boués!
* 7 *
De concert avec elle, Navigue sur mer belle. Oh! mes boués!
* 8 *
En vidant la bouteille, Tout son or appareille. Oh! mes boués!
* 9 *
Montr’ et chaîne s’envolent, Mais il prend la vérole. Oh! mes boués!
* 10 *
A l’hôpital de Nantes, Jean-François se lamente. Oh! mes boués!
* 11 *
Et les draps de sa couche, Déchire avec sa bouche! Oh! mes boués!
* 12 *
Pauv’ Jean François de Nantes, Gabier sur la Fringante! Oh! mes boués!
“Boney”, is a halyard shanty based fairly accurately on the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte. Stan Hugill also tells us it was used in others ‘short-haul’ or fore-sheet shanty. 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 442). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 442, 443).
The Record of the Boney
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
And the full lyrics
Boney
Boney wuz a warrior; – WAY – aye – YAH! A warrior, a terrior, – JOHN-ny FranCOIS!
* 2 *
Boney beat the Prussians, Osstrians and the Rooshians,
* 3 *
Boney went to school inFrance, He lent to make the Russians dance.
* 4 *
Oh, Boney marched to Moscow, Across the Alps through ice an’ snow,
* 5 *
Boney wuz a Frenchyman, But Boney had a turn agen.
* 6 *
So he retreated back agen, Moscow wuz in ruins then.
* 7 *
Boney went to Elbow, There he got his overt’row
* 8 *
He beat the Prussians squarely, He whacked the English nearly.
* 9 *
We licked him in Trafalgar’s Bay, Carried his main topm’st away.
* 10 *
‘Twas on the Plains of Waterloo, He met the boy who put him through
* 11 *
Boney marched to Waterloo, And there he met his overt’row,
* 12 *
He met the duke of Wellington, That day his downfall had begun.
* 13 *
Boney went a-crusin’, Aboard the Billy Ruffian.
* 14 *
Boney went to Saint Helen’, An’ he never came back agen.
* 15 *
They sent him into exile, He died on Saint Helena’s isle.
* 16 *
Boney broke his heart an’ died, In Corsica he wisht he styed.
“John Browns Body” turned by sailors into capstan shanty. Originally shore song came from the American Civil War. Song was also sung on German ships. I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 442). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 442, 443).
The Record of the John Browns Body
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
John Browns Body
John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship. John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship. John Brown wuz skipper of a Yankee clipper ship. – As we go rollin’ home!
– Glory, glory, allelujah! – Glory, glory, allelujah! – Glory, glory, allelujah! – As we go rollin’ home!
* 2 *
John Brown’s daughter is a maiden, so I’m told, Her finger’s decked with diamonds and her toes in decked with gold, John Brown’s daughter is a maiden, so I’m told.
* 3 *
John Brown’s daughter got a bunion on her toes, John Brown’s daughter got a wart upon her nose, John Brown’s daughter got a bunion on her toes.
* 4 *
John Brown’s daughter is a Yankee-doodle-do, Her bows is fat, her stern is fat an’ so’s her ankles too, John Brown’s daughter is a Yankee-doodle-do.
* 5 *
John Brown’s daughter chews terbaccy by the pound, She’s the roughest, toughest son-o’-a-bitch that ye have ever found, John Brown’s daughter chews terbaccy by the pound.
* 6 *
There’s my gal with a blue dress on, Her catheads they would take an anchor weighin’ twenty ton, There’s my gal with the blue dress on
* 7 *
John Brown’s daughter sat upon a grassy plot, John Brown’s daughter likes her dinner served up hot, John Brown’s daughter sat upon a grassy plot.
* 8 *
John Brown’s daughter drinks her whisky neat an’ straight, John Brown’s daughter’s got a bowline round the mate, John Brown’s daughter drinks her whisky neat an’ straight.
“Abel Brown The Sailor” is a halyard shanty used for ‘long drags’ at t’gallant halyards and hand-over-hand hauling. Stan Hugillmarked his version for ‘long drags’. An author of the “Shanties from the Seven Seas” learned this shanty on his first voyage to sea. ‘Abel Brown’ is probably the personification of all sailing ship A.B.’s or Able-Bodies Seamen. This shanty is unique in the way that, was usually sung by two soloists or shantymen in a similar way as “Billy Boy”, one singer for questions and one for the answers. 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 440). The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 440 – 442).
The Record of the Abel Brown The Sailor
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
And the full lyrics
Abel Brown The Sailor
Oh, where am I goin’ to sleep tonight? – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor! Oh, where am I goin’ to sleep tonight? – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor!
* 2 *
You can sleep up on the mat, – Cried THE FAIR young maiden! You can sleep up on the mat, – Cried THE FAIR young maiden!
* 3 *
Oh, the mat is rough an’ me skin ain’t tough, – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor! Oh, the mat is rough an’ me skin ain’t tough, – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor!
* 4 *
You can sleep upon the shelf, – Cried THE FAIR young maiden! You can sleep upon the shelf, – Cried THE FAIR young maiden!
* 5 *
What ‘ave yer got upon the shelf? – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor! What ‘ave yer got upon the shelf? – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor!
* 6 *
I’ve got some rum upon the shelf, – Cried THE FAIR young maiden! I’ve got some rum upon the shelf, – Cried THE FAIR young maiden!
* 7 *
Me throat is long an’ me thirst is strong, – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor! Me throat is long an’ me thirst is strong, – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor!
* 8 *
What if you roll from off the shelf? – Cried THE FAIR young maiden! What if you roll from off the shelf? – Cried THE FAIR young maiden!
* 9 *
I’ll bounce on the floor an’ ask for more, – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor! I’ll bounce on the floor an’ ask for more, – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor!
* 10 *
What if the police should come to the house? – Cried THE FAIR young maiden! What if the police should come to the house? – Cried THE FAIR young maiden!
* 11 *
I’ll take ’em on in two’s and three’s, – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor! I’ll take ’em on in two’s and three’s, – Sez ABEL Brown the Sailor!
* 12 *
Then I’ll let you stay with me, – Cried THE FAIR young maiden! Then I’ll let you stay with me, – Cried THE FAIR young maiden!
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