Shanties from the seven seas Archives - Page 18 of 42

The Ox-eyed Man (Davis & Tozer)

March 17, 2023September 18, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Ox-eyed Man

“The Ox-eyed Man” is a song that comes from Sailors’ songs or “chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (3rd Edition, p 82) – (1906). Ferris & Tozer’s book was assigned to categories “Songs for pumping the ship out”, which clearly tells us it is a pump shanty.

The source of The Ox-eyed Man

The music: Sailors’ songs or “chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (3rd Edition, p 82) – (1906)
The lyrics: Sailors’ songs or “chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (3rd Edition, p 82) – (1906)
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 269).

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

The Ox-eyed Man

The ox-eyed man is the man for me,
He came a – sailing from o’er the sea,
– Heigh – ho for the ox – eyed man.

* 2 *

Oh May in the garden a shelling her peas,
And birds singing gaily among the trees,
– Heigh – ho for the ox – eyed man.

* 3 *

Oh, May looked up and she saw her fate
In the ox-eyed man passing by the gate
– Heigh – ho for the ox – eyed man.

* 4 *

Oh, May in the garden a-shelling her peas,
Smil’d on the stranger who’d come o’er the seas
– Heigh – ho for the ox – eyed man.

* 5 *

The ox-eyed man gave a fond look of love,
And charmed May’s heart which was pure as a dove.
– Heigh – ho for the ox – eyed man.

* 6 *

Oh, May in the parlour a-sitting on his knee,
And kissing the sailor who’d come o’er the sea.
– Heigh – ho for the ox – eyed man.

* 7 *

Oh, May in the garden a shelling her peas,
Now weeps for the sailor who sail’d o’er the seas.
– Heigh – ho for the ox – eyed man.

Related to this sea shanty

So Early In The Morning (A)

The Lowlands Low (C)

So Early In The Morning (C)

Ten Stone

March 17, 2023September 16, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Ten Stone

“Ten Stone” is a windlass song given only by Bullen & Arnold. The song is Negro origin. Bullen mentioned he heard it himself when was sang by Negro working a dolly-winch on his ship in Georgetown, “Demera”. The music and lyrics are exactly the same as given originally in F.T. Bullen’s “Songs Of Sea Labour” (1914).

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 268).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 268).

The Record of the Ten Stone

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Ten Stone

I neber seen de like sence I ben born!
– Way, ay, ay ay ay!
Nigger on the ice an’ a-hoe-in’ up corn,
– Way, ay, ay ay ay!

Ten stoone! ten stone!
– ten stone de win’ am o-ber,
Ten-ny git a-long, Ten-ny blow the horn,
– As we go march-in’ o-ber!

Related to this sea shanty

The Gals O’ Chile

Larry Marr

The Lowlands Low (B)

The Girl With The Blue Dress (Davis & Tozer)

March 17, 2023September 13, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Girl With The Blue Dress (Davis & Tozer)

As Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer mentioned in their book “The Girl With The Blue Dress” was a song for “pumping the ship out”. It has slightly different music than Harding’s version, and I cannot lose the opportunity to reconstruct this song as the pumping shanty, also the text is different than Harding’s Barbadian version.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: Sailors’ songs or “chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (3rd Edition) – (1906)
The lyrics: Sailors’ songs or “chanties” by Frederick J Davis and Ferris Tozer (3rd Edition) – (1906)
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 267).

The Record of this sea shanty

The Girl With The Blue Dress (Davis & Tozer) - Pump Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Girl With The Blue Dress (Davis & Tozer)

A girl asleep with a blue dress on,
– SHAKE her, Johnnie, SHAKE her.
An unsafe couch she’s resting on,
– SHAKE her, and so WAKE her.

* 2 *

Storm clouds are gath’ring on our lee,
And soon aback our sail may be,

* 3 *

She may be drenched with salt sea spray.
So go and rouse her quick I say.

* 4 *

White caps are dancing upon the sea,
Run quick, or else to late you’ll be,

* 5 *

She’s lying asleep there on the deck,
No thought of sea, or gale, or wreck.

* 6 *

A girl asleep with a blue dress on,
An unsafe couch she’s resting on,

Related to this sea shanty

So Early In The Morning (A)

So Early In The Morning (B)

The Lowlands Low (B)

The Gal With The Blue Dress

March 17, 2023September 11, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Gal With The Blue Dress

This is another great song we have from the Harding Barbadian, a shipmate of Stan Hugill, he mentions in his book that Harding considered this song as one of the best in his repertoire for halyards. It is the Negro origin song, probably one used by cotton hosiers.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 267).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 267, 268).

The Record of The Gal With The Blue Dress

The Gal With The Blue Dress - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Gal With The Blue Dress (Harding)

A gal asleep wid a blue dress on,
– SHAKE her, Johnny, SHAKE her!
She’s waitin’ there for yer Uncle Tom,
– SHAKE ‘er, an’ we’ll WAKE ‘er!

* 2 *

This gal she did look good to me,
‘Cos I had bin ten months at sea’

* 3 *

She’s Down East gal wid a Down East style,
For a dollar a time it’s worth while.

* 4 *

Roust an’ shake her is the cry,
The bloody topmast sheave is dry!

* 5 *

A big wind comes from the Wes’-nor’-west,
This gal ain’t gonner git no rest.

* 6 *

Shake ‘er, bullies, oh, helm’s a-lee,
She’ll git washed out wid a big green sea.

* 7 *

Her oilskins they are all in pawn,
It’s wet an’ draughty round Cape Horn.

* 8 *

So roust ‘er from down below,
An’ haul away for yer Uncle Joe.

* 9 *

This gal she is a high-brown lass,
High-brown lass in a flash blue dress.

* 10 *

So roust ‘er be quick I say,
An’ make yer port an’ take yer pay.

* 11 *

Soon we’ll be down Mobile Bay,
Screwin’ cotton for to git our pay.

Related to this sea shanty

Toms Gone Away

Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

Stormalong Lads Stormy

O Johnny Come To Hilo – Cecil Sharp

March 16, 2023September 9, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about O Johnny Come To Hilo – Cecil Sharp

“Johnny Come Down To Hilo” shanty was given by many collectors: Sharp, Terry (who even make it popular in schools), and Doerflinger. The normal environment for “Johnny Come Down To Hilo” was the work at the capstan. This version comes from “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914). Sharp in his book on page 68 left us a short description of this shanty, says that:
“Versions of this chantey are given by Bullen (No. 10) and Tozer (No. 42). Presumably, Hilo is the seaport of that name on the east coast of Hawaii Island.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914) (1st ed: p 19).
The lyrics: “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914) (1st ed: p 19).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 267).

The Record of O Johnny Come To Hilo – Cecil Sharp

O Johnny Come To Hilo (Cecil Sharp) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

O Johnny Come To Hilo

O a poor old man came a riding by,
Says I: Old man, your horse will die,

– O, Johnny come to Hi-lo,
– O-poor old man.
– O-wake her,
– O–shake her,
– O-shake that girl with the blue dress on,
– O-Johnny come to Hi–lo,
– Poor old man.

Related to this sea shanty

Mochyn Du

Johnny Come Down To Hilo

The Gals O’ Chile

Johnny Come Down To Hilo

March 16, 2023September 4, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Johnny Come Down To Hilo

“Johnny Come Down To Hilo” shanty was given by many collectors: Sharp, Terry (who even make it popular in schools), and Doerflinger. According to Stan Hugill tune is Irish in origin and the lyrics are a mixture of the Negro catch-phrases, lines from Negro minstrel ditties, and other bits and pieces from other shanties, e.g. “Poor Old Man” or “The gal With the Blue Dress”. The normal environment for “Johnny Come Down To Hilo” was the work at the capstan.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 266).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 266, 267).

The Record of The Johnny Come Down To Hilo

Johnny Come Down To Hilo - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Johnny Come Down To Hilo

I niver seed the like, since I bin born,
Ooh, a big buck nigger wid his sea boots on

– Oh, Johnny come down to Hilo,
– (Oh) poor old man!
– Oooh! wake her!
– Oh, shake her!
– Ooooh! wake that gal wid the blue dress on!
– When Johnny comes down to Hilo,
– (Oh) poor old man!

* 2 *

I love a little gal across the sea,
She’s a ‘Badian beauty, an’ she sez to me

Wuz ye never down in Mobile Bay,
A-screwin’ cotton for a dollar a day?

* 3 *

Ooh, there once wuz a nigger an’ his name wuz Uncle Ned,
An’ he had no yarns on the top o’ his head.

* 4 *

Did ye ever see the ol’ plantation boss,
An’ his long-tailed filly, an’ his big, black hoss?

* 5 *

Oh, go fetch me down me riding cane,
For I’m off to see me sweetheart Jane.

* 6 *

Ooh, Sally in the garden, pickin’ peas,
An’ the hair of her head hangin’ down to her knees.

Related to this sea shanty

The Gals O’ Chile

Larry Marr

The Lowlands Low (B)

Cant Ye Hilo? (short drag)

March 16, 2023August 31, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Young Girls Cant You Hilo

The “Cant Ye Hilo” is a hauling shanty. According to Stan Hugill, it has West Indian origin, and he gets this shanty from his West Indian friend Harding the Barbarian, Barbadian.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 265).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 265).

The Record of the Cant Ye Hilo?

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Cant Ye Hilo?

Young gals love to dance wi’ Jack,
– Young gals can’t ye Hilo?
I have al-ways had me whack,
– Young gals can’t ye Hilo?

* 2 *

Youn gals, good gals, bad gals, O!
I will take ’em all in tow,

* 3 *

Love ’em both old an’ young,
Thin gals, fat gals, let ’em all come.

* 4 *

When I wuz a young man in me prime,
I chased them coloured gals all the time.

* 5 *

Dance, gals dance, till the break o’ day,
Let’s all dance our cares away.

* 6 *

High brown, dark brown, yeller gals, O!
Let’s all go on a big Hilo!

* 7 *

Young gals, young gals, young gals, O,
Rouse ‘er up an’ let’s Hilo!

Related to this sea shanty

Donkey Riding (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Young Girls Cant You Hilo? (short drag)

March 16, 2023August 29, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Young Girls Cant You Hilo

Here hauling shanty “Young Girls, Cant You Hilo?”, this particular version comes from Captain Robinson from his article in “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28). Judging from the shanties of Capitan Robinson, Stan Hugill claims that Captain John Robinson spent most of his time in the West Indian, Gulf Ports, and West Coast of South America Trades.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28) by Capitan Robinson (1st ed: p 264).
The lyrics: “The Bellman” magazine (1917, July 28) by Capitan Robinson (1st ed: p 264).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 264).

The Record of this sea shanty

Young Girls, Cant You Hilo? - Short Drag Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Young Girls, Cant You Hilo?

Young-girls, Young Girls, Young Girls, Ho!
– Young Girls, Can’t You Hilo!?
Young-girls, Young Girls, Young Girls, Ho!
– Young Girls, Can’t You Hilo!?

Related to this sea shanty

Donkey Riding (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor A (Stamp-n-go)

Drunken Sailor B (Stamp-n-go)

Toms Gone Away

June 11, 2023August 25, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Toms Gone Away

This is the Toms Gone Away halyard shanty. Apart from Stan Hugill, we can find this song in the collection of Richard Runciman Terry. This version of the tune Stan Hugill has from a South Wales seamen who had served in the Bristol Channel copper ore trade. The words are the same as in Bill Dowling’s „Thoms Gone To Hilo”.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 264).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 264).

The Record of the Toms Gone Away

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Toms Gone Away

Tommy’s gone, and I’ll go too,
– My Tommy’s gone away!
Oh, Tommy’s gone, and I’ll go too,
– My Tommy’s gone away!

* 2 *

Tommy’s gone to Liverpool,
Oh, Tommy’s gone to Liverpool,

* 3 *

Tommy’s gone to Mobile Bay,
Oh, Tommy’s gone to Mobile Bay,

* 4 *

Tom’s gone, what shall I do?
Oh, Tom’s gone, what shall I do?

* 5 *

Tommy fought at Trafalgar.
Oh, Tommy fought at Trafalgar.

* 6 *

The old Victory led the way.
The brave old Victory led the way.

* 7 *

Tommy’s gone for evermore.
Oh, Tommy’s gone for evermore.

Related to this sea shanty

Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

Ranzo Ray C

Hilo Johnny Brown

Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

March 16, 2023August 21, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

The “Thoms Gone To Hilo” was a halyard shanty usually sang for raise a topsails yards, and one that was never liked by mats because sung by a good shantyman slowed down the pulls, due to the lethargic nature in which the shanties are sung. Difficult song for shantymen, however very popular with the crowd, especially for heavy yard lifts. This is the theme from the singing of Bill Dowling of Bootle.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 261).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 262, 263).

The Record of the Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

Toms Gone To Hilo (Bill Dowling) - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling

Tommy’s gone on a whalin’-ship,
– A-WAY you I-lo!
Oh, Tommy’s gone on a damn long trip.
– TOM’s gone to HI-lo!

* 2 *

He never kissed his gal goodbye,
He left her an’ he told her why.

* 3 *

She’d robbed him blind an’ left him broke,
He’d had enough, gave her the poke.

* 4 *

His half-pay went, it went like chaff,
She hung around for the other half.

* 5 *

She drank an’ boozed his pay away,
With her weather-eye on his next pay-day.

* 6 *

He shipped away around Cape Horn.
His clothes an’ boots wuz in the pawn.

* 7 *

This tart will get another flame,
Aye, she will git him just the same.

* 8 *

Steer clear, me boys, of flash chowlahs,
They’ll make ye wiser than ye are!

* 9 *

Oh, Tommy’s gone an’ left her flat,
Oh, Tommy’s gone an’ he won’t come back.

Related to this sea shanty

Toms Gone To Hilo – Terry

Ranzo Ray A

Ranzo Ray B