Shanties from the seven seas

Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

December 9, 2023March 16, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

This version of Bound for the Rio Grande is Richard Runciman Terry’s version from “The Shanty Book Part I” (1921). “Rio Grande” was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound song. In “Shanties from the Seven Seas”, Stan Hugill Mentioned only this version.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – Richard Runciman Terry (1st ed p 4, 5).

The lyrics: “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – Richard Runciman Terry (1st ed p 4, 5).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 93).

The Record of the Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry's Version) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Bound for the Rio Grande (R. R. Terry’s Version)

I,ll sing you a song of the fish of the sea.
– Oh Rio
I,ll sing you a song of the fish of the sea
– And we’re bound; for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, love away!
– Way down Rio!
– So fare-ye-well, my pretty young gel,
– For we’re bound; for the Rio Grande.

* 2 *

Sing goodbye to sally, and goodbye to Sue.
And you who are listerning, goodbye to you.

* 3 *

Our ship went sailing out over the Bar
And we pointed her nose for the southeren Star.

* 4 *

Farewell and adieu to you laidies of Spain
And were all of us comming to see you again.

* 5 *

I said farewell to Kitty my dear,
And she waved her white hand as we passed the South Pier.

* 6 *

The oak and the ash, and the bonny birk tree
They’re all growing green in the North Countrie.

Related to this shanty

Rio. Grande (A)

Rio Grande (F)

December 9, 2023March 16, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande (F)

Rio Grande including Rio Grande (F), was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass and was an outward-bound 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 90).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 93, 94).

The Record

The full lyrics

Rio Grande (F)

Oh, Capitain, Capitan, heave yer ship to,
– Away down Rio!
For we,ve got some mail; to be carried home by you.
– We’re bound; for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, love away!
– Away down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my bonnie young girl,
– We’re bound; for the Rio Grande,

* 2 *

Oh, Cap’tan, you’re sailin’ to England away,
An’ we will not see it for many a day.

* 3 *

Oh, Cap’tan, you’ve weathered full many a gale,
So have yer ship to for to pick up our mail.

* 4 *

Oh, Cap’tan, ye’ll pick up our letters for home,
To carry a letter from us who do roam.

* 5 *

Oh, Captain, Cap’tan, our ensign we’ll dip,
Pray tell’em at home that you,ve spoken our ship.

Related to Rio Grande (F)

Rio Grande (E)

Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande (E)

This version, Rio Grande (E), is aside from the first stanza same text as the ‘Fishes’ version of “Blow The Man Down”. “Rio Grande” was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound 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 90).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 93).

The Record of the Rio Grande (E)

The full lyrics

Rio Grande (E)

Oh, a ship she wuz rigged, an’ ready for sea,
– Away down Rio!
An’ all of her sailors wuz fishes to be.
– We’re bound for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, love away!
– Away down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my bonnie young girl,
– We’re bound for the Rio Grande,

* 2 *

There wuz once an old skipper, I don’t know his name,
But I know that he once played a ruddy smart game.

* 3 *

When his ship lay becalmed in a tropical sea,
He whisteled all day but he could get no breeze.

* 4 *

But a seal heard his whistle an’ loudy did call,
Just smow yer light canvas, jib spanker, an’ all.

* 5 *

I’ll send ye some fish to consult if ye please,
The best way to get ye a nice whistling breeze.’

* 6 *

Oh, first came the herring, sain’, ‘I’m King o’ the Seas’,
He jumped on the poop: ‘Oh, the Capen I’ll be!’

* 7 *

Next came the flatfish, they call him a skate:
‘If ye’ll be the capen, why then I’m the mate.’

* 8 *

Then next came the hake, he wuz black as a rook,
Sez he, ‘I’m no sailor, I’ll ship as the cook.’

* 9 *

Next came the shark with his two rows of teeth,
‘Cook, mind you the cabbage, an’ I’ll mind the beef!’

* 10 *

Then came the eel with his slippery tail,
He climbed up aloft an’ he cast off each sail.

* 11 *

Next came to codfish with his chuckle-head,
He jumped in the chains an’ began heavin’ the lead.

* 12 *

Next came the flounder that lies on the ground,
Sayin’, ‘Damn yer eyes, chucklehead, mind how ye sound!

* 13 *

Then came the conger, as long as a mile,
He gave a broad grin an’ continued to smile.

* 14 *

Then came the porpoise with his pointed snout,
He went to the wheel shoutin’, ‘Ready about!’

* 15 *

Then came the mackrel with his his pretty striped back,
He hauled aft each street, an’ he boarded each tack.

* 16 *

Then came the whale, the biggest in the sea,
Shoutin’, ‘Haul in yer head sheets, now, hellums a lee!’

* 17 *

Then came the sprat, he wuz smalled o’ all,
He jumped on the poop cryin’, ‘Maintawps’l haul!’

* 18 *

The mackerel the skipper did scoff for his tea,
The herring he salted, the seal harpooned he.

* 19 *

He baited a hook, an’ he thougt it a lark,
To catch as he did that hoary ol’ shark.

* 20 *

The eel it wuz tasty, the hake it wuz strong,
The flounder he speared with a lance o’ three prongs.

* 21 *

The skate he speared next, but the purpose wuz fast,
The conger it grinned an’ it grinned to the last.

* 22 *

He caught the ol’ whale, which wuz no simple task,
An’ soon with whale-oil he had filled up each cask.

* 23 *

With the head o’ the codfish he made a fine pipe,
The sprat then he salted, but ’twas only a bite.

* 24 *

The breeze it blew merrily sailed he,
But what an’ ol’ bastard than skipper must be!

Related to the Rio Grande (E)

Rio Grande (D)

Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande (D)

This Shanty (including the Rio Grande (D) version), of all the work songs of the sea, is the one with the least variation in tune. Some versions give three notes to the final “Rio”, others give two.
The main patterns of this shanty are:
1 – Leaving Liverpool
2 – Gold Rush Version
3 – The Milkmaid
4 – Leaving New York,
5 – The Fishes,
6 – The Mail (“Gam”).
We have also at least 6 different versions of the chorus.

The Rio Grande includes Rio Grande (D), was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound 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 90).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 92).

The Record

This song will be sung as a capstan shanty.
“Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 92).

The full lyrics

Rio Grande D

A ship went a-sailing out over the bar,
– Way for Rio!
They’ve pointed her bow to the southern star,
– An’ we’re; bound for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, bullies away!
– Way for Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, me Liverpool gels,
– An’ we’re; bound for the Rio Grande

* 2 *

Oh, farewell to Sally an’ farewell to Sue,
An’ you on the pierhead it’s farewell to you.

* 3 *

Yeu Bovery laides we’s have ye to know,
We’re bound; to the south’ard–O Lord, let us go!

* 4 *

We,ve a bully good ship an’ a bully good crew,
But we don’t like the grub; no I’m damned if we do.

* 5 *

Oh fare ye well, all ye ladies o’ town,
We,ve left ye enough for to buy a silk gown.

* 6 *

We’ll sell our salt cod for molasses an’ rum,
An’ get back again ‘fore Thanksgivin’ has come.

* 7 *

Oh, New York town is no place for me,
I’ll pack up me sea-chest an’ git off to the sea.

* 8 *

Oh, man the good caps’n an’ run her around,
We’ll heave up the anchor to this bully sound.

* 9 *

To the Brazils; we’re bound an’ we hope ye don’t mind,
We soon will return to the Molls left behind.

* 10 *

The chain’s up an’ down now the Bosun did say,
It’s up to the hawse-pipe, the anchor’s aweigh!

Related to the Rio Grande (A)

Rio. Grande (A)

Rio Grande (C) – (Patterson version)

Interesting Facts about Rio Grande (C)

The possible origin of the “Patterson” version; Rio Grande (C) from Hugill’s book is possibly dated to the XVIII century. In the sheet music from the Lester Levy Collection; “Nobody Ask’d You” is undated; but the music includes the notation at the top that it was “printed and sold at Carrs Music Store Baltimore.” Benjamin Carr (1760-1831) was a composer; organist, and music publisher who was born in London but came to the United States in 1793. He ran a number of stores, but his Baltimore store closed in 1822 and he left the publishing business entirely in 1831. Any music printed by him would have dated prior to 1831.

“Rio Grande” was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound 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 90).

The lyrics: “The Sea’s Anthology” – John Edward Patterson (1913).

The Record of the Rio Grande (C)

This song will be sung as a capstan shanty.

The full lyrics

Rio Grande C – (Patterson version)

Oh, where are ye goin’ to, my pretty maid?
– Way for Rio!
I’m going a milkin’, kind sir, she said.
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, bullies away!
– Way for Rio!
– Stead o’ milkin’ her cow, She wuz courtin’ her boy
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande

* 2 *

Oh, have ye a sweatheart, my pretty maid?
‘I’m lookin’ for one, kind sir,’ she said.

* 3 *

Then may I come wid ye, my pretty maid?
‘Well, yes, since ye axed me, sir,’ she said.

* 4 *

‘But I guess yer a bad one, kind sir,’ she said.
‘Ye want for to love me, but yer dont’t want ter wed,’

* 5 *

Jack took her in tow, an’ away they did go,
The bulls did a grunt, an’ the cows did a low.

* 6 *

They came to a haystack but the maid she wuz shy,
They backed and they filled an’ heaved many a sigh.

* 7 *

The haystack capsized an’ Jack got all bent,
With hay in his gaff-tops’l, his breeches all rent.

* 8 *

So he left her a-sittin’ a-lookin’ forlorn,
An’ shipped ro the south’ard away round Cape Horn.

* 9 *

Now, all ye young sailors that round the Horn sail,
Don’t take a young milkmaid away from her pail.

* 10 *

Or else ye’ll regret it an’ wish ye were dead,
So don’t go a-courtin’ in a haystack for a bed.

Related to the Rio Grande (B)

Rio Grande (B)

Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande (B)

This is one of the most popular shanty families in the days of sail It was not the Mexican Rio Grande about which they were singing but the one further south in Brazil; not “Rio Grande del Nord” but “Rio Grande do Sul”. According to Stans Hugill’s research, the Rio Grande includes Rio Grande (B). These shanty sailors sang at most on the decks of ships leaving the West Coast of England, and Wales than in any other vessels.
The Rio Grande merchant sailors sang always at the anchor capstan or windlass and were an outward-bound song.

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

How the Shantyman were chosen?

Looking up from his sidelong inspection of the dripping links of the anchor chain as one by one they slowly emerge from the muddy surface of the water, the mate, clapping his hands to his mouth and with a roar like the Bull of Basham, queries, “Who’s the bloody nightingale among yer? Aw ye men or aw ye cawpses? If there’s ruddy shantyman among yer lot of hobos, fer Gawd’s sake strike a light, will yer!”

In answer to this challenge, from the cavernous throat of some true son of a Neptune comes the hurricane reply:

   "Oh, say wuz ye niver darn Ri-i-o Grande?"

The refrain, a bit seedyat first, comes from half of the heaving men:

   "Wa-a-ay darn Ri-O!"

The self-imposed shantyman now really gets into his stride:

   "Ooh! Them smart senioritas, they sure beats the band!"

And the sailormen, taking heart, bring in a fuller and beefier refrain:

  "Ror we're barnd for the Ri-i-o Grande!"

A satisfied smile crosses the lips of the mate. He’s got a good crowd; the shanty tells him that. “When the men sing right, the ship goes right” was the old sea adage.

Stan Hugill – “Sea Shanties!”

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 90).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 91).

The Record

“Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 91).

The full lyrics

Rio Grande B

Oh, say wuz ye ever down Rio Grande?
– Way for Rio!
It’s there that the river flows down golden sands.
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande,

– Then away, bullies away!
– Away for Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, me Liverpool gels,
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande

* 2 *

So heave up the anchor, let’s get it aweigh,
It’s got a good grip, so heave, bullies, ‘way-ay!

* 3 *

Oh, where are yiz bound to my bully boys all?
An’ where are yiz bound for to make yer landfall?

* 4 *

We’re bound to the south’ard me bully boys all,
Bound out to the Brazils, me bully boys all.

* 5 *

An’ what’ll ye do there, me bully boys all?
What job will ye do there, me bully boys all?

* 6 *

We’ll dig for red gold, oh, me bully boys all,
We’ll dig for a fortune, me bully boys all.

* 7 *

Or die o’ the fever, me bully boys all,
Or die o’ the fever, me bully boys all.

* 8 *

Heave with a will boys, oh, heave long an’ strong,
Sing a good chorus, for ’tis a good song.

Related to the Rio Grande (B)

Rio. Grande (A)

Rio Grande (A)

December 9, 2023March 14, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Rio Grande (A)

This is one of the most popular shanty families in the days of sail It was not the Mexican Rio Grande about which they were singing but the one further south in Brazil; not “Rio Grande del Nord” but “Rio Grande do Sul”. Additionally, the reference in some versions like the Rio Grande (A) of the song to “Golden Sand”; whether taken literally or symbolically; applies to the southern Brazilian tiver and port. Both banks of the Brazilian Great River, are heaped high with sand dunes. In the past, gold was a commodity found in this district.

According to Stan Hugill, the Rio Grande was always sung at the work anchor capstan or windlass. The song was an outward-bound song. The last three verses from 15-17 are the other Liverpool Stanzas mentioned by Stan Hugill.

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 90, 91).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 90, 91).

The Record

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Rio Grande A

Oh, a ship went a-sailin’ out over the Bar,
– Way for Rio!
They’ve pointed her bow to the Southern Star,
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande!

– Then away, bullies away!
– Away for Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, me Liverpool gels,
– An’ we’re boun; for the Rio Grande!

* 2 *

Oh, say wuz ye niver down Rio Grande?
Them smart senoritas, they sure beats the band.

* 3 *

We wuz sick of the beach when our money wuz gone,
So we signed in this packet to drive her along.

* 4 *

There’s some of us sick, there’s some of us sore,
We’ve scoffed all our whack an’ we’re looking for more.

* 5 *

Our anchor we’ll weigh an’ the rags we will set,
Them Liverpool judies we’ll never forget.

* 6 *

Ye parkee Lane judies we’ll ‘ave ye to know,
We’re bound to the south’ard, oh, Lord let us go!

* 7 *

Oh, pack up yer donkeys an’ git under way,
Them judies we’re leavin’ will git our half-pay.

* 8 *

Cheer up, Mary Ellen, now don’t look so glum,
On white-stockin’ day ye’ll be drinkin’ hot rum.

* 9 *

We’re a deep-water ship with a deep-water crew;
Ye can stick to the coast, but I’m damned if we do,

* 10 *

It’s goodbye to Ellen an’ sweet Molly too,
Ye Parkee Lane chowlahs, ’tis goodbye to you.

* 11 *

Now blow, ye winds westerly, long may ye blow,
We’re a starvation packet–Good God let us go!

* 12 *

Saltfish an’ lobscouse for the next ‘alf year,
She’s a Liverpool pocket an’ her Ol’ Man’s the gear.

* 13 *

Them Liverpool judies they never use combs,
They combout their locks with a haddock’s backbone.

* 14 *

Heve only one pawl, then ‘vast havin’, me sons,
Sing only one chorus – it’s blowin’ big guns!

*Other Liverpool Stanzas*

* 15 *

An’ now we are leavin’ the sweet Salthouse Dock,
An’ soon we’ll be oh a-roundin’ the Rock.

* 16 *

We’re a Liverpool ship wid a Liverpool crew
Wid a Liverpool mate an’ an Old Man too.

* 17 *

We’re Liverpool born, an’ Liverpool bred,
Oh, thick in the arm, an’ thick in the head!

Related to the Rio Grande (A)

S anty Anna (Terry’s Version)

Santiana (D) (Norwegian – English Translation)

December 9, 2023March 13, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Santiana (D) (Norwegian – English Translation)

This version of Santiana, Stan Hugill had from the shanty book “Opsang”, hails from the port of Stavanger, and is a ‘Westland’ version. This translation of the: Santiana (D) (Norvegian – English Translation) will be singing as a capstan shanty (faster / first phase of capstan rotation, before the chain, was still vertical below the ship). Here is the English translation by B. Streiffert. It is also possible that the song has never been sung, and Hugill just posts a translation of a Norwegian song, whatever, in My opinion, this beautiful translation deserves to use it. And even feel proud of the possibility I will be the first person to sing this text.

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 86).

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 86).

The Record of the Santiana (D) (Norwegian – English Translation)

“Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 86).

The full lyrics

Santiana D (Norvegian – English Translation)

From Copenhagen we sailed away,
– Have away! Santiana!
To the nor’ard then our course we set,
– Heave away, hurrah for roll an’ go!

* 2 *

Through storm and rain, contrary wind,
To Christiansands, oh, we steered in.

* 3 *

One afternoon stood we men four,
Awaiting for to go on shore.

* 4 *

On the warf there stood five girls,
Waiting to wish us welcome home.

* 5 *

As I was rolling up the street,
A teen-age gal I chanced to meet.

* 6 *

To this fair gal I then did talk,
‘Oh, let’s be friends an’ take a walk.’

* 7 *

The girl she thought unto herself,
‘To catch a Mate is luck itself!’

* 8 *

She was a nice girl in her teens,
With eyes of blue and curly hair.

Related to Santiana (D)

S anty Anna (Terry’s Version)

Round The Bay Of Mexico

December 9, 2023March 13, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about Round The Bay Of Mexico

A different form of “Santianna” commonly known as “Round the Bay of Mexico”, in which there is no reference at all to Santianna either in the solos or refrains, is probably the older Hoosier version as was once sung around the Gulf ports.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 87). I will sing this song as a capstan shanty. And try to recreate this song from hearted Stan Hugill’s version from the album “Sailing Days” (1991), with “Stormalong John” as a crew.

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 87).

The Record of the Round The Bay Of Mexico

Last note, this song was recorded two years ago and at the time I record it I didn’t have as much knowledge about shanties as I have now so pronunciation can be not perfect.

Round The Bay Of Mexico - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Round The Bay Of Mexico

Heave away me bully boys,
– Wayay, heave away!
Heave away, why don’t ye make some noise boys?
– Round the Bay of Mexico!

* 2 *

Heave away an’ around goes she,
Six for you an’ seven for me-e,

* 3 *

Heave around an’ with a will,
If she don’t go she’ll stay there still.

* 4 *

Heave away for she’s trimmed tight,
Bend yer back if yer wanner sleep ternight.

Related to this sea shanty

Santiana D (Norvegian – English Translation)