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Shanties from the seven seas

Run Let The Bulgine Run

Interesting Facts about the Run Let The Bulgine Run

Run Let The Bulgine Run is a halyard shanty which like some of the other few shanties starts its existence on the railroad. Stan Hugill informs us that Song is definitely Negro origin. Not every shanty collector gives it as the halyard shanty, Cecil Sharp gives it to us as a capstan shanty. Bulgine was an American slang term for a railway engine.
This song will be reconstructed as the halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 343).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 343).

The Record of the Run Let The Bulgine Run

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

Run Ler The Bulgine Run - music notation

The full lyrics

Run Let The Bulgine Run

Oh, a bulgine once wuz a hear in’,
– RUN, let the bulgine RUN!
Oh, high ya! Oh aye yah!
– RUN, let the bulgine RUN!

* 2 *

Oh, she’s lovely up aloft an’ she’s lovely down below,
– RUN, let …
Oh, high …
– RUN, let …

* 3 *

She’s a dandy clipper an’ a sticker too.

* 4 *

With a dandy skipper an’ a bully crew.

* 5 *

Oh, we’ll run all night till the mornin’.

* 6 *

Oh, we’ll rock an’ roll her over.

* 7 *

Oh, we sailed all day to Mobile Bay.

* 8 *

Oh, we sailed all night across the Bight.

* 9 *

Oh, drive her, cap’ten drive her.

* 10 *

Oh, cap’ten make her ol’ nose blood.

Related to this sea shanty

Hilo Come Down Below

Blow The Man Down – Terry Version

Ane Madam – Bergen Version (Norwegian)

Gimme De Banjo – Doerflinger (short drag)

Interesting Facts about the Gimme De Banjo – Doerflinger

The “Gimme De Banjo – Doerflinger” mentioned by Stan Hugill on page 341 of his “Shanties from the Seven Seas”, comes actually from the “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951). In Doerflinger’s book, it is in Halyard Shanties’ chapter. He mentions that:
“A lusty Negro halyard shanty follows. It was sung with strong emphasis, a quick attack in the chorus, and a decided swing. The shantyman, William Laurie, whose rendition I give, recalled the circumstances under which he first heard “Gimme de Banjo” sung at sea. He picked up the shanty in 1877 on board the American full-rigger Kit Carson”.
This song will be reconstructed as the short drag (t’gallants yards), shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
The lyrics: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 341).

The Record of the Gimme De Banjo – Doerflinger

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

Gimme De Banjo – Doerflinger - music notation

The full lyrics

Gimme De Banjo – Doerflinger

Oh, dis is de day we pick on de banjo,
– Dance, gal, gimme de banjo,

* 2 *

Oh, dat banjo, dat tal-la tal-la wan-go,

* 3 *

Oh, dat banjo, dat seben-string banjo,

* 4 *

Ah was only one an’ twenty.

* 5 *

Ah was sent to school fer to be a scholar!

* 6 *

Mah collar was stiff, an’ Ah could not swaller.

* 7 *

Oh, dere’s mah book, down on de table,

* 8 *

An’ you kin read it if you’re able!

Related to this sea shanty

Donkey Riding (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Young Girls Cant You Hilo? (short drag)

Gimme De Banjo – Harding (short drag)

Interesting Facts about the Gimme De Banjo – Harding

The “Gimme De Banjo – Harding” version was given to Stan Hugill by Harding Barbadian, who said it was a very popular Hauling song aboard ships in the West Indian and Honduras Logwood Trade. This song will be reconstructed as the short drag (t’gallants yards), shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 341).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 341).

The Record of the Gimme De Banjo – Harding

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

Gimme De Banjo - Harding - music notation

The full lyrics

Gimme De Banjo – Harding

This is the day we make our pay day,
– Dance, gal, gimme de banjo!
Oh, that banjo, that seven string banjo,
– Dance, gal, gimme de banjo!

* 2 *

Haul away for Campeachy Bay,
Oh, haul away an’ sretch out for yer pay-ay,

* 3 *

A dollar a day is a buckera’s pay,
Oh, bend yer high shoes an’ lavender breeks, boys.

* 4 *

There’s my Sal, she’s the gal for me, boys,
Oh, I know that she’ll be, a-waitin’ for me-e.

* 5 *

I’ll bang on the banjo — that ping-a, pong-a banjo!
Oh, that banjo — that ping-a, pong-a banjo!

Related to this sea shanty

Donkey Riding (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Young Girls Cant You Hilo? (short drag)

Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo

Interesting Facts about the Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo

“Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo” version was given to Stan Hugill by Harding Barbadian, who said it was sung at the capstan. Cecil Sharp gives one verse of this song, and he believes this is the variant of the Irish Folk Song “Shule Agra”. The word “too-rer-loo” in the chorus indicates an Irish connection. This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 340).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 340).

The Record of the Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo

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

Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo - music notation

The full lyrics

Old Moke Pickin On The Banjo

He bang, she bang, daddy shot a bear,
Shot it in the stem me boys, an’ niver turned a hair,

– We’re all from the railroad — too-rer-loo,
– Oh, the ol’ moke pickin’ on the banjo.


– Hooraw! What the hell’s the row?
– We’re all from the railroad — too-rer-loo,
– We’re all from the railroad — too-rer-loo,
– oooh! The ol’ moke pickin’ on the banjo!

* 2 *

Pat, get back, take in yer slack, heave away, me boys,
Heave away, me bully boys, why don’t ye make some noise?

* 3 *

Roll her, boys, bowl her, boys, give ‘er flamin’ gip,
Drag the anchor off the mud, an’ let the bastard rip!

* 4 *

Rock-a-block, chock-a-block, heave the caps’n round,
Fish the flamin’ anchor up, for we are outward bound.

* 5 *

Out chocks, two blocks, heave away or bust,
Bend yer backs, me bully boys, kick up some flamin’ dust.

* 6 *

Whisky-o, Johnny-O, the mudhook is a slight,
‘Tis a hell-ov-a-way to the gals that wait, an’ the ol’ Nantucket Light.

Related to this sea shanty

Sacramento (D)

Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version

Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav

The Shaver

Interesting Facts about The Shaver

“The Shaver” capstan shanty. Terry claims that his uncle often sang it. He thinks that the “Poor Paddy Works On The Railway” tune comes from this song. This song will be reconstructed as the Capstan windlass shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The source of this sea shanty:
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 339).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 339).

The Record of The Shaver

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 Shaver - music notation

And the full lyrics

The Shaver

When I was a little hairless boy,
I went to sea in Stormy’s employ.
Oh, I shipped a way as a cabin boy,


– When I was just a shaver, a shaver,
– Oh, I was fed up with the sea,
– When I was just a shaver.

* 2 *

Oh, they whacked me up, an’ they whacked me down,
The Mate he cracked me on the crown,
They whacked me round an’ round an’ round,

* 3 *

When I went aloft through the lubber’s hole,
The mate he cried, ‘Lord darn yer soul,
Ye’ll do, me son, what yer bloomin’ well told!’

* 4 *

An’ when we lollop’d around Cape Horn,
I wisht to hell I’d niver bin born,
I felt like a sheep with its wool all shorn.

* 5 *

When we left behind the ice an’ rain,
An’ once more to the tropics we came,
The Mate came hazin’ me once again.


* 6 *

When we made port, well I skipped ship,
I’d had enough for one bloomin’ trip,
I’d stay ashore an’ never more ship.

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Poor Paddy Works On The Railway

Interesting Facts about the Poor Paddy Works On The Railway

“Poor Paddy Works On The Railway” usually used as the pump or capstan shanty “. Alden in Harpers Magazine (July 1882) declares that it is a “sailors” song tamed to do land service . . . on the minstrel stage. Stan Hugill also tells us that song was popular in the Western Ocean Packets about the time of the Irish Potato famine. This song will be reconstructed as the pump shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 337).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 337, 338).

The Record of the Poor Paddy Works On The Railway

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

Poor Paddy Works On The Railway - music notation

The full lyrics

Poor Paddy Works On The Railway

Oh, in eighteen hundred an’ forty one,
Me dungaree breeches I put on,
Oh, me dungaree breeches I put on,
To work upon the railway,

– The railway,
– I,m weary of the railway,
– Oh, Poor Paddy works on the railway!

* 2 *

In eighteen hundred an’ fourty-two,
I did not know what I should do,
So I shipped away wid and Irish crew,
To work upon the railway,

* 3 *

In eighteen hundred an’ fourty-three,
I packet me gear an’ went to sea,
I shipped away to Amerikee,
To work …

* 4 *

In eighteen hundred an’ fourty-four,
I landed on Columbia’s shore,
I had a pick-axe an’ nothin’ more.

* 5 *

In eighteen hundred and forty-five,
When Dan O’Connell he wuz alive,
To break me leg I did contrive.

* 6 *

In eighteen hundred an’ fourty-six,
Me drinks no longer I could mox,
So I changed me trade to carrying bricks.

* 7 *

In eighteen hundred an’ forty-seven,
Me Children numbered jist eleven,
Of girls I’d four, of boys I’d seven.

* 8 *

In eighteen hundred an’ fourty-eight,
I made a fortune, not to late,
An’ shipped away to the River Plate.

* 9 *

In eighteen hundred an’ fourty-nine,
I for a sigh of Home did pine,
So I sailed down so uth to a warmer clime.


Related to this sea shanty

Shallow Brown A (Sentimental)

Way Stormalong, John

Santiana (A)

The American Railway

Interesting Facts about The American Railway

“The American Railway” is the shore version of the shanty ” Paddy Works On The Railway”.Most collectors think it started its life as a music-hall song, however, Richard Runciman Terry disagrees with this opinion. The land version was also sung by the early railroad workers of Young America around the forties and fifties of the nineteenth century. This song will be reconstructed as the shore song.

The source of  this song

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 337).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 337).

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 American Railway - music notation

The full lyrics

The American Railway

In eighteen hundred an’ sixty one,
The ‘Merican Railway was begun,
The ‘Mericun Railway was begun,
The Great American Railway,

– Filimi, oree, airee ay, oh,
– fillimi. oree, airee ay,
– fillimi. oree, airee ay,
– Poor Paddy works on the railway.

Related to this victorian ditty

Cialoma Di Li Tunnari

Brindisi Di Marinai

Blow The Wind Southerly – Shore Song

Paddy West

Interesting Facts about the Paddy West

“Paddy West”, according to Stan Hugill many collectors state that song has always been Forebitter, but Hugill says his informants (not named unfortunately), state that the song was used as the Capstan shanty. The song is as old as the time of the Western Ocean Packets (probably 40s of the nineteenth century). The man from the title, Paddy West was a real historical person, he lived in Great Howard Street, Liverpool, where he was the owner of the sailor’s boarding house. The uniqueness of the way how he keeps his boarding house, he can turn the farmer into able-bodied seamen, in a couple of days. I think the lyrics of the song best explain the methods of the Paddy West to coaching the farmers, and after all this way of acting with farmers was way better than Shanghaiing.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 335).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 335, 336).

The Record of the Paddy West

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

Paddy West

Oh, as I wuz a rollin’ down Great Howard Street,
I stroled into Paddy West’s house,
He gave me a plate of American hash,
an’ swore it wuz English scouse,
Sez he, “Look ‘ere, young feller, yer very jist in time,
To go away in a big clipper ship, an’very soon ye’ll sign.

– Then it’s put on yer dungaree jacket,
– An’ give the boys a rest,
– An, think of the cold nor’wester that blows,
– In the house of Paddy West’s!

* 2 *

Now he axed me if I had ever been to sea,
I told him not till that morn;
‘Well, be Jasus,’ sez he, ‘a sailor ye’ll be,
From the hour that jiz wuz born;
Just go into a perlour, walk round the ol’ cow horn,
An’ tell the mate that ye have been, oh, three times round the Horn!”

* 3 *

When I got into ol’ Paddy West’s house,
The wind began to blow;
He send me up to the lumber-room,
The fore-royal for to stow;
When I climbed up to the attic, no fore-royal could I find,
So I jumped upon the window stilland furled the winder-blind.

* 4 *

It’s Paddy, me bhoy, he pipes all hands on deck,
Their stations for to man.
His wife, Sarah Ann, stood in the backyard,
A bucket in her hand,
His wife let go the bucket, the water flew on its way;
‘Clew up yer fore t’gallant, me sons, she’s takin’ in a say!’

* 5 *

To every two men that graduates,
I’ll give wan outfit free,
For rwo good men on watch at once
Ye never need to see;
Oilskins, me bhoys, ye won’t want, carpet slippers made o’ felt
I will dish out to the pair o’ ye, an’ a ropeyarn for a belt.

Related to this Forebitter

The Fishes – W. B. Whall

The Limejuice Ship (Short Chorus)

Oh, Aye, Rio

Paddy Doyles Boots C

Interesting Facts about Paddy Doyles Boots C

In Stan Hugill’s book “Paddy Doyles Boots C”, it is the song that opening family of the songs is with the word “Paddy”. This song is dedicated to one and only one job, namely: that of getting the mass of sodden, bellying canvas rolled up to the yard, also called “Tossing the bunt”. When singing this chant the haul usually came on the word “BOOTS!” Usually, there was no need for more than two or three verses at most. Probably this is only one type of shanty that is sung whole by all-hands (no shantymen or crew part only).
Stan Hugill tells us that are three patterns in this song this is the third one: Pull on three words.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 333).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 333).

The Record of the Paddy Doyles Boots 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.

The musical notation

Paddy Doyles Boots C - music notation

The full lyrics

Paddy Doyles Boots C

To me WAY!
An’ we’ll FURL!
An’ we’ll pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

* 2 *

We’ll sing, WAY!
An’ we’ll HEAVE!
An’ we’ll pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

* 3 *

So we’ll HEAVE!
With a SWING!
An’ we’ll pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

Related to this sea shanty

Paddy Doyles Boots A

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Young Girls Cant You Hilo? (short drag)

Paddy Doyles Boots B

Interesting Facts about Paddy Doyles Boots B

In Stan Hugill’s book “Paddy Doyles Boots B”, it is the song that opening family of the songs is with the word “Paddy”. This song is dedicated to one and only one job, namely: that of getting the mass of sodden, bellying canvas rolled up to the yard, also called “Tossing the bunt”. When singing this chant the haul usually came on the word “BOOTS!” Usually, there was no need for more than two or three verses at most. Probably this is only one type of shanty that is sung whole by all-hands (no shantymen or crew part only).
Stan Hugill tells us that are three patterns in this song this is the second one: The solos are varied with the same chorus throughout, the pull coming on “BOOTS!”.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 333).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 333).

The Record of the Paddy Doyles Boots 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

Paddy Doyles Boots B - music notation

The full lyrics

Paddy Doyles Boots B

Yeo aye – an’ we’ll haul aye,
To pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

* 2 *

Yeo aye – an’ we’ll sing aye,
To pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

* 3 *

We’ll bunt up the sail with a fling aye!
To pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

* 4 *

We’ll tauten the bunt an’ we’ll furl aye,
To pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

* 5 *

We’ll skin the ol’ rabbit an’ haul eye,
To pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!

Related to this sea shanty

Paddy Doyles Boots A

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Young Girls Cant You Hilo? (short drag)