Shanties from the seven seas

Stan Hugill – Sea Shanties (1977)

Stan Hugill – Sea Shanties (1977), published in 1977, opens up …

This book opens up for us a fantastic world of shanties and forebitters. Stan Hugill – Sea Shanties (1977) It is a unique book in which, we can find in a simple way what the shanties were. We can learn about shanties types, and most importantly, the works that were performed with the use of shanties. Each type of work is described in great detail. The book allowed me to understand what the work is about and when are its hardest moments, when and how sailors pulled the ropes, what for them, and where the pulling effect occurred.

The item also has a fairly large collection of shanties, about forty shanties, and free time songs; each shanty has a separate, extensive description of where from and other interesting information.

From myself, I can add that: taking into account the knowledge and knowledge of the history of not only shanties but the golden age of sails, the knowledge I found in this book would not be possible to obtain by trying to find people who could explain certain activities that a sailor of those times was commonplace. The book is quite an easy source of knowledge about that life and works onboard. I would highly recommend it.

Do you want to be more involved?

You can find excellent records of sea shanties here. If you want to discuss this book or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or below post in the comment section.

Related to this book

Sailortown (1967)

Sea Shanties (1977)

Shanties and Sailor’ Songs (1969)

Jerzy Wadowski – Piesni Spod żagli (1989)

Just today I finished reading Jerzy Wadowski – Piesni Spod żagli (1989)

Jerzy Wadowski – Piesni Spod żagli (1989) is a fantastic book, about the sea shanties and maritime songs tradition. An author who definitely understood sailor’s work songs and the folklore of the golden age of sails. This book (as Stan Hugill claims in the preface (!)), Is a unique, reliable attempt at understanding the sailor’s work songs, the knowledge of an author about the case is really remarkable. Worth noting in the preface of Stan Hugill’s proviso; is that the recommendation concerns only fragments (for recommendation and review, for Stan Hugill, some of the chapters, have been translated into English, to make possible his feedback).

From Jerzy Wadowski – Piesni Spod żagli (1989) book, I learned about

Many important aspects of the shanties as such and the forebitters as well. Of course, for me, as a person who also uses English-language resources, many facts I read I’ve seen before, but this is a good thing because only testifies to the author, who proves his knowledge of the subject. I think the Polish enthusiasts of the sea shanties are lucky to have this book written in the Polish Language.

Of course, there are also disadvantages, the biggest for me is dry scientific language and too extensive descriptions of some examples of shanties. I think it takes a little effort; to get used to it. This effort in the end well paid for me.
I really recommend this book, especially for all Shanty enthusiasts and lovers of sea songs.

Do you want to be more involved?

You can find excellent records of sea shanties here. If you want to discuss this book or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or below post in the comment section.

Related to this book

Sailortown (1967)

Sea Shanties (1977)

Shanties and Sailor’ Songs (1969)

Robert C. Leslie – A Waterbiography (1894)

Here is one of the books, that is in my library, Robert C. Leslie – A Waterbiography (1894)

Of course, only those, that are related to the topic of Shanties (directly or indirectly). I found out reference to this book in Stan Hugill’s book The Bosun’s Locker, in one of the discussions. In mentioned discussion, Stan Hugill mentioned another title written by the same author “A Sea-Painter Log”. While searching for this book, I came across this title. I would like to mention that my copy has an original letter stuck in, written by the author itself. This fact helped me in the decision to buy it, as it turned out the seller also had the second-mentioned book, so, fortunately, I became the owner of both items.

“A Waterbiography” is unique for many reasons

This is a book that describes the sailing life of the author who lived in the London area in the 19th century, it is unique that his sailing biography is written with the experience of sailing his own, relatively small yacht, so something very similar to our current sailing because it really is few of us has a chance to sail a tall ship. The author’s yacht (his first yacht) is shown in one of the photos and its name is “FOAM”. The book also has coded illustrations, and a summary at the beginning of each chapter (very characteristic of books from the 19th and the turn of the 20th century). This copy is the first edition (1894) of this title.

Do you want to be more involved?

You can find excellent records of sea shanties here. If you want to discuss this book or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or below post in the comment section.

Related to Robert C. Leslie – A Waterbiography (1894)

Sailortown (1967)

Sea Shanties (1977)

Shanties and Sailor’ Songs (1969)

Sacramento – Norvegian English worded version

Interesting Facts about the Sacramento – Norvegian English worded version

Sacramento – Norvegian English worded version was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.
Stan Hugill has given us a funny story about an uncensored, Norwegian version of this song. It is a conversation of old Norwegian sailors:
‘Do you remember how the Norwegian version of this shanty went?’
‘I do, but… it is too horrible! What we sang is now better forgotten!’
‘yes, that is so, … Let’s give Wergland’s bowdlerized version instead …’
Unfortunately, Stan Hugill Did not provide more verses, to this great song.

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 107).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 113).

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.

Sacramento (Norvegian English worded version) - Capstan Shanty

The full lyrics

Sacramento (Norvegian English worded version)

Now we are leaving here, shipmate,
– Ota Hayti, Ota Hayti!
Soon shall we see the Golden Gate,
– In the Ota Hayti, ho!

– Blow, boys, blow for Californio,
– There is plenty of gold, so I am told,
– On the banks of Sacramento.

* 2 *

Oh heave and weigh the anchor light!
The flying-fish is swimming tight.

Related to this sea shanty

Bound for the Rio Grande (Cecil Sharp Version)

Rio Grande (B)

A Long Time Ago (C)

Der Hamborger Veermaster (German)

Interesting Facts about the Der Hamborger Veermaster

Der Hamborger Veermaster, the Low German version very popular from known to every German sailing-ship man, was sung aboard the German four-masted barque Pamir as late as1951. This song was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.

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 107).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 112).

The Record of the Der Hamborger Veermaster

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.

Der Hamborger Veermaster - Capstan Shanty

The full lyrics

Der Hamborger Veermaster

Ick heff mol en Hamborger Veermaster sehn,
– To my hoodah, to my hoodah!
De Masten so scheef as den Schipper sien Been.
– To my hoodah, hoodah, ho!

– Blow, boys, blow for Californio,
– There is plenty of gold, so I am told,
– On the banks of Sacramento.

* 2 *

Dat Deck weer von Isen, vull Schiet un vull Smeer,
Dat weer de Schietgäng eer schönstes Pläseer.

* 3 *

Dat Logis weer vull Wanzen, de Kombüs weur vull Dreck,
De Beschüten, de leupen von sülven all weg.

* 4 *

Dat Soltfleesch weer gröön, un de Speck weer vull Maden,
Kööm gev dat blots an Wiehnachtsobend.

* 5 *

Un wulln wi mol seil’n, ik segg dat jo nur,
Denn lööp he dree vörut und veer wedder retur.

* 6 *

As dat Schipp, so weer ok de Kaptain,
De Lüd for dat Schipp weern ok blots schanghait.

Related to this sea shanty

Bound for the Rio Grande (Cecil Sharp Version)

Rio Grande (B)

A Long Time Ago (C)

Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav

Interesting Facts about the Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav

A Rabelaisian, Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav, that we sang aboard the four-masted barque under the same name. So unfortunate is that Stan Hugill did not give us more stanzas and it is the only English translation of German origin, but refrain parts are really rare and beautiful.

The origin of this shanty has many controversies. Due to tune, form, and “Hoodah” or “Doodah” chorus, it has long been associated with Stephen Foster’s “Camptown Races”. C. F. Smith claims this shanty came after the minstrel ditty, it is very curious that a new set of words should have been fitted to the chorus of “Camptown Races”, while it was still a new song.

This song was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.

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 107).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 112).

The Record of the Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav

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.

Sacramento (Version from German barque Gustav) - Capstan Shanty

The full lyrics

Sacramento – German barque Gustav

Oh, a monk one day from his monastery went,
– To me fal-la, to me fal-la!
His head all shaven and his gown all rent,
– To me fal-lal, lal-lal, la!

– Blow, boys, blow for Californio,
– There is plenty of gold, so I am told,
– On the banks of Sacramento.

Related to this sea shanty

Bound for the Rio Grande (Cecil Sharp Version)

Rio Grande (B)

A Long Time Ago (C)

Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Halyard version

Interesting Facts about Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Halyard version

Patterson’s version, Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Halyard version, is like Patterson’s shanties unusual. The first difficulty is that Patterson in his book doesn’t give us music. In almost every his shanty he inserts short refrains where usually no refrain existed. Stan Hugill says that Patterson called his shanty ‘hauling song’, and gives us one stanza, but this is not entirely true, because Patterson (J. E. Patterson “The Sea’s Anthology” 1913) labeled this song as ‘Capstan.’ and give three verses, and after these three verses, he gives another 4 verses under the label “The same: as a hauling chanty'”. So this song will be a ‘hauling song’, particularly the Halyard Shanty Capstan version I will sing separately.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 112).
The lyrics: “The Sea’s Anthology” – J. E. Patterson (1913).

The Record of the Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Halyard version

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.

Banks Of Sacramento (Patterson Halyard version) - Halyard Shanty

The full lyrics

Banks Of Sacramento (Patterson Halyard version)

Now, my lads, get your beds and lie down
– With a HOOdah!
Now, my lads, get your beds and lie down
– With a HOOdah, hoodah-DAY!

– Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-O
– With a HOOdah!
– There’s plenty of gold, so I’ve been told,
– On the BANks of Sacramen-TO!

* 2 *

We came to a land where the cocktail flows
We came to a land where the cocktail flows

* 3 *

We came to a river where we couldn’t get across
And the plenty of gold, as I’ll have you told, Was a bully, bully loss

Related to this sea shanty

A Long Time Ago (A)

Stormalong Lads Stormy

De Runer Von Hamborg

Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version

Interesting Facts about Sacramento Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version

Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version was sung as a Capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.
Patterson’s version is like Patterson’s shanties, unusual. The first difficulty is that Patterson in his book doesn’t give us music. In almost every shanty he inserts short refrains where usually no refrain existed. Stan Hugill says that Patterson called his shanty ‘hauling song’, and gives us one stanza, but this is not entirely true, because Patterson (J. E. Patterson “The Sea’s Anthology” 1913) labeled this song as ‘Capstan.’ and give three verses, and after these three verses, he gives another 4 verses under the label “The same: as a hauling chanty'”. So this song will be ‘Capstan.’ Hauling version I will sing separately.

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 112).

The lyrics: “The Sea’s Anthology” – J. E. Patterson (1913).

The Record of the Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version

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.

Banks Of Sacramento (Patterson Capstan version) - Capstan Shanty

The full lyrics

Banks Of Sacramento (Patterson Capstan version)

Now, my lads, get your beds and lie down
– To me hoodah! To me hoodah!
Now, my lads, get your beds and lie down
– To me hoodah, hoodah, O!

– Blow, my bully-boys, blow,
– For Californi-O !
– There’s plenty of gold,
– So I’ve been told,
– On the banks of Sacramento!

* 2 *

In the Black Ball Line I served my time
In the Black Ball Line I served my time

* 3 *

O that was the line for cracking it on
O that was the line for cracking it on

Related to this sea shanty

California

Rio Grande (B)

A Long Time Ago (C)

Sacramento (D)

Interesting Facts about the Sacramento (D)

Sacramento (D) was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”. This is the “Camptown Races” version.

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 107).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 110, 111).

The Record of the Sacramento (D)

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.

Sacramento (D) - Capstan Shanty

The full lyrics

Sacramento (D)

Camptown ladies sing this song,
– Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah!
Camptown race-track’s five miles long.
– Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah day!

– Blow, boys, blow!
– For Californ-eye-O!
– There’s plenty o’ gold so I’ve bin told,
– On the banks o’ the Sacramento

* 2 *

Go down dar wid me hat caved in,
Come back home with me pockets full o’ tin.

* 3 *

De long-tailed filly an’ de big black hoss,
Dey fly de track an’ dey both cut ac ross.

* 4 *

De blind hoss stickin’ in a big mud hole,
Can’t touch bottom wid a ten-foot pole.

* 5 *

Ol’ muley cow come out on de track,
De bob he fling her ober his back.

* 6 *

Den fly along like a raiload car,
Runnin’ a race wid a shootin’ star.

* 7 *

De sorrel hoss he’s got a cough,
An’ his rider’s drunk in de ol’ hay-loft.

* 8 *

Dere’s fourteen hosses in dis race,
Ah’m snug in de saddle an’ got a good brace.

* 9 *

De bobtail hoss she cain’t be beat,
Runnin’ around in a two-mile heat.

* 10 *

Ah put me money on de bob-tail nag,
Somebody bet on de one-eyed lag.

* 11 *

I win me money on de bobtail nag,
An’ carry it home in de ol’ tow-bag.

Related to this sea shanty

California

Rio Grande (C)

A Long Time Ago (C)

Sacramento (C)

Interesting Facts about the Sacramento (C)

This version of Sacramento (C), of the Cape Horn one, is the most popular one. Stan Hugill thing this version was the original one, and it can be sung to either tune or to a mixture of both tunes, depending on the number of syllables in the verses. This song was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the “mud-hook”.

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 109).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 109).

The Record of the Sacramento (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.

Sacramento (C) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

sacramento-c music notation

The full lyrics

Sacramento (C)

Oh around Cape Horn we are bound for to go
– To me Hoo-dah! To me Hoo-dah!
Around Cape Horn through the sleet an’ the snow,
– To me Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah day!

– Blow, boys, blow!
– For Californ-eye-O!
– There’s plenty o’ gold so I’ve bin told,
– On the banks of the Sacramento!

* 2 *

Oh around the Horn with a mainskys’l set,
Around Cape Horn an’ we’re all wringin’ wet.

* 3 *

Oh, around the Horn in the month o’ May,
Oh, around the Horn is a very long way.

* 4 *

Them Dago gals we do adore,
They all drink vino an’ ask for more.

* 5 *

Them Spanish gals ain’t got no combs,
They comb their locks with tunny-fish bones.

* 6 *

To the Sacramento we’re bound away,
To the Sacramento’s hell o’ a way.

* 7 *

We’re the buckos for to make ‘er go,
All the way to the Sacramento.

* 8 *

We’re the bullies for to kick her through,
Roll down the hill with a hullabaloo,

* 9 *

Starvation an’ ease in a Yankee ship,
We’re the bullies for to make ‘er rip.

* 10 *

Santander Jim is a mate from hell,
With fists o’ iron an’ feet as well.

* 11 *

Breast yer bars an’ bend yer back,
Have an’ make yer spare ribs crack.

* 12 *

Round the Horn an’ up to the Line,
We’re the bullies for to make ‘er shine

* 13 *

We’ll crack it on, on a big skiyoot,
Ol’ Bully Jim is a bloody big brute.

* 14 *

Oh, a bully ship wid a bully crew,
But the mate is a bastard through an’ through.

* 15 *

Ninety days to ‘Frisco Bay,
Ninety days is damn good pay.

* 16 *

Oh, them wuz the days of the good ol’ times,
Back in the days of the Forty-nine.

* 17 *

Sing an’ have an’ heave an’ sing,
Heave an’ make them handspikes spring.

* 18 *

An’ I wish to Gold I’d niver bin born,
To go a-ramblin’ round Cape Horn.

Related to this sea shanty

California

Rio Grande (B)

A Long Time Ago (C)