Shanties from the seven seas

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).

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 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)

California

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

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

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

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)

A Long Time Ago (C)

California

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso

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.

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

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

Santy Anna (Terry’s Version)

Santiana D (Norvegian – English Translation)

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso