Stan hugill

Bosuns Alphabet

Interesting Facts about the Bosuns Alphabet

“Bosuns Alphabet” is a forebitter, sometimes used at the pumps. This version, which gives us Stan Hugill, comes from his friend Jack Birch of Plymouth. Here is the second version from Stan Hugill’s book; it is the same as the first one, with an alternative chorus.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 457).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 457,458).

The Record of the Bosuns Alphabet

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

Bosuns Alphabet - music notation

The full lyrics

The Bosuns Alphabet

A is for the Anchor that lies at our bow,
B is for the Bowsprit, an’ the jibs all lie low,
oh C is for the Caps’n we all run around,
D is for a Davits to low’r the boat down,

– So merrily, so merrily, so merrily sail we,
– There’s no one on earth like a sailor at sea,
– Sing high sing low! as the ship rolls along,
– Give a sailor his rum an’ there’s nothing goes wrong!

* 2 *

E is for the Earring when reefing we haul,
F is for the Fo’c’sle where the bullies do brawl,
Oh! G is for the Galley where the saltjunk smells strong,
H is for the Halyards we hoist with a song.

* 3 *

I is for the Eyebolt–no good for the feet,
J is for the Jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet,
Oh! K is for the Knightheads where the shantyman stands,
L is for the Leeside hard found by new hands.

* 4 *

M is for the Maindeck–as white as new snow,
N is for the Nigger gals in the land which we go,
Oh! O is for the Orlop, ‘neath the ‘tweendecks it lays,
P is for the Peter flown on sailin’ day.

* 5 *

Q is for the Quadrant–to thw wheel it lies near,
R is for the Rudder–it helps us to steer,
Oh! S is for the Sheerpole over which we must climb,
T is for the Topmen, ‘way aloft every time.

* 6 *

U is for Uniform–only worn aft,
V is for the Vangs running from the main gaff,
Ph! W is for the Water–we’re on pint an’ pound,
X marks the Spot where Ol’ Stormy wuz drowned.

* 7 *

Y is for Yardarm–needs a good sailorman,
Z is for Zoe–I’m her fancy man,
So this is the end of me bully ol’ song,
Heave away, bullies, oh, heave long an’ strong!

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

The Bosuns Alphabet

Interesting Facts about The Bosuns Alphabet

“Bosuns Alphabet” is a forebitter, sometimes used at the pumps. This version, which gives us Stan Hugill, comes from his friend Jack Birch of Plymouth.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 456,457).

The Record of The Bosuns Alphabet

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 Bosuns Alphabet

A is for the Anchor that lies at our bow,
B is for the Bowsprit, an’ the jibs all lie low,
oh C is for the Caps’n we all run around,
D is for a Davits to low’r the boat down,

– sooo! merrily, so merrily, so merrily sail we,
– There’s no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea,
– Blow high or blow low! as the ship rolls along,
– Give a sailor his grog an’ there’s nothing goes wrong!

* 2 *

E is for the Earring when reefing we haul,
F is for the Fo’c’sle where the bullies do brawl,
Oh! G is for the Galley where the saltjunk smells strong,
H is for the Halyards we hoist with a song.

* 3 *

I is for the Eyebolt–no good for the feet,
J is for the Jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet,
Oh! K is for the Knightheads where the shantyman stands,
L is for the Leeside hard found by new hands.

* 4 *

M is for the Maindeck–as white as new snow,
N is for the Nigger gals in the land which we go,
Oh! O is for the Orlop, ‘neath the ‘tweendecks it lays,
P is for the Peter flown on sailin’ day.

* 5 *

Q is for the Quadrant–to thw wheel it lies near,
R is for the Rudder–it helps us to steer,
Oh! S is for the Sheerpole over which we must climb,
T is for the Topmen, ‘way aloft every time.

* 6 *

U is for Uniform–only worn aft,
V is for the Vangs running from the main gaff,
Ph! W is for the Water–we’re on pint an’ pound,
X marks the Spot where Ol’ Stormy wuz drowned.

* 7 *

Y is for Yardarm–needs a good sailorman,
Z is for Zoe–I’m her fancy man,
So this is the end of me bully ol’ song,
Heave away, bullies, oh, heave long an’ strong!

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

The Chinee Bumboatman

Interesting Facts about the The Chinee Bumboatman

“The Chinee Bumboatman”, usually forebitter, this version, which comes from Bill Fuller. According to him, it was also used for pumps. The song had a probable beginning in the Royal Navy, on the China coast.
I will reconstruct this song as a forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 455).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 455,456).

The Record of the The Chinee Bumboatman

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 Chinee Bumboatman - music notation

The full lyrics

The Chinee Bumboatman

Till sing ye a story o’ trouble an’ woe, That ‘ll cause ya to shoulder an’ shiver,
Concernin’ a Chinee bumboatman, that sailed the Yang-Tze River,
He wuz a heathen o’ ‘igh degree, As the jass-house records show,
His family name wuz Wing Chang Loo, But the sailors all called him Jim Crow-se-aye-oh-ee-eye,

– Hitchee-kum, kitche-kum, ya! ya! ya!
– Sailorman no like me,
– No savvy the story of Wing Chang Loo,
– Too much of the bober-eye-ee, Kye-eye!

* 2 *

Now Wing Chang Loo he feel in love, with a gal called Ah Chu Fong.
She ‘ad two eye like pumpkin seeds, an’ slippers two inches long,
But Ah Chu Fong loved a pirate bold with all her heart an’ liver,
He wuz capitan of a double-decked junk, an’ he sailed the Yang-Tze River-eye-iver-eye!

* 3 *

When Wing Chang Loo he head o’ this, he swore an’ ‘oribble oath:
‘If Ah Chu marries that pirate bold, I’ll make sausage meat o’ ’em both.’
So he hoisted his blood-red battle flag, put into the Yang-Tze River,
He steered her east an, south an’ west, till that pirate he did diskiver-eye-iver-eye.

* 4 *

The drums they beat to quarters an’ the cannons did loudly roar,
The red-‘ot dumplin’s flew like lead, an’ the scuppers they ran with gore.
The pirate paced the quarter deck with never a shake nor a shiver,
He wuz shot in the stern wi’ a hard-boiled egg, that pinitrated his liver-eye-iver-eye.

* 5 *

The dyin’ pirate feebly cried, ‘We’ll give the foe more shot,
If I can’t marry Ah Chu Fong, then Wing Chang Loo shall not.’
When a pease-pudden ‘ot hit the bumboat’s side, it caused a ‘orrible scene,
It upset a pot of ‘ot bow-wow soup, an’ exploded the magazye-eenee-eye-eenee!

Related to this Forebitter

Paddy West

Jack All Alone

Paddy Lay Back – Forebitter

Whisky youre my darling

Interesting Facts about the Whisky youre my darling

“Whisky youre my darling”, by Stan Hugill possible related to the “John Bull” hand-over-hand song. Song comes from “Journal of The Folk Song Society” – No 32 (December, 1928, page 96). It was sung by Mr. W. Tarr of Bodmin, Cornwall, and noted by Messrs. T. Miners and J. E. Thomas in 1924. Stan Hugill also claims that song doesn’t have any connection with very popular “Whisky Johnny”.
I will reconstruct this song as a folk song.

The source of the Whisky youre my darling

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).

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

Whisky youre my darling - music notation

The full lyrics

Whisky youre my darling

For ’tis goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat, and goodbye Mary Ann,
I’m goin’ away this very day to the dear Americo,
For the ship lies in the harbour, As ev’rybody knows,
And here’s to good old Ireland where the dear old shamrock grows.
Whisky, you’re my darling, Whisky, you’re my friend,
Whisky, you’re my darling drunk or sober.

Related to Shule Agra

The Irish Emigrant – Irish Folk Song

Heave Away – American Folk Song

Mainsail Haul – Sampson

John Bull

Interesting Facts about the John Bull

“John Bull” is a hand-over-hand song used for stays’ls and other light sails. There is only one known version of this song, and it comes from Sigurd Sternvall’s “Sang Under Segel” (1935) (1st ed, p. 356). Sternvall, in his book, says, ” It was a very popular ditty and ship-shanty which was fine to use at hand-over-hand or ‘palma’ (palming?) as it was called …” Stan Hugill also says that he does not have proof that it was used aboard British ships.
I will reconstruct this song as the hand-over-hand shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 454).

The Record of the John Bull

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

John Bull - music notation

And the full lyrics

John Bull

John Bull lives in England Taffy lives in Wales
Sandy lives in Scotland, Where there is all the girls
But Paddy lives in Ireland as ev’ry body Knows
There never was a coward Where the little shown oak grows

Related to this sea shanty

Do Let Me Lone Susan

Sing Sally O! (version B)

Round The Corner Sally (Harding)

Tiddy High O!

Interesting Facts about the Tiddy High O!

“Tiddy High O!” – halyard shanty which comes from one of the Stan Hugill’s known shantymen Tobago Smith, who told him that song was often heard aboard of the old West Indian traders. Stan Hugill tells us that song is West Indian origin and came probably to England aboard the rum and sugar traders of Bristol.
I will reconstruct this song as the halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 453).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 453).

The Record of the Tiddy High O!

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

Tiddy High O! - music notation

And the full lyrics

Tiddy High O!

An’ now we are bound for ol’ Bristol town,
– TIDDY high O! high HAY!
Goodbye to them block gals, the yellars an’ the browns,
– TIDDY high O! high HAY, high hay!

* 2 *

Oh, old Sally Rackett of Kingston Town,
I spent quite a packet on her new silk gown,

* 3 *

We loaded our packet with sugar an’ rum,
Goodbye to Jamaicy, its gals, an’ its sun.

* 4 *

We’re bound to the nor’ard, to the ice an’ the snow,
We’re bound to the nor’ard Lord let ‘er go!

* 5 *

An’ when we gets back to ol’ Bristol Town,
‘Tis there we will drink an’ sorrow soon drown.

Related to this sea shanty

Do Let Me Lone Susan

Sing Sally O! (version B)

Round The Corner Sally (Harding)

Billy Riley

Interesting Facts about the Billy Riley

“Billy Riley” – halyard shanty which probably started life as a cotton Hoisiers song. Close versions give to us C.F. Smith or Miss Colcord.
I will reconstruct this song as the halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 452).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 452, 453).

The Record of the Billy Riley

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

Billy Riley - music notations

And the full lyrics

Billy Riley

Oh, Billy Riley was a dancing master,
– Yo-HO! Billy Riley OH!
Old Billy Riley, Screw him up so cheer’-ly,
– Yo-HO! Billy Riley OH!

* 2 *

Old Billy Riley wuz master of a drogher,
Old Billy Riley screw him up so cheer’ly

* 3 *

Old Billy Riley wuz a ladies’ man,

* 4 *

Old Billy Riley – little Missus Riley,

Related to this sea shanty

Do Let Me Lone Susan

Sing Sally O! (version B)

Round The Corner Sally (Harding)

Billy Boy B

Interesting Facts about the Billy Boy B

“Billy Boy B”, according to Richard Runciman Terry, is a Northumbrian capstan shanty. But for Stan Hugill, it had a wider field than Northumberland. He tells us that he met seamen from London, Liverpool, and South Wales who also knew about this shanty. The song has two main versions; the most popular one is in a minor key. Both versions come from shore songs. The song in is tipe usually used two shantyman, one for the questions and one for an answers.
This one is the most popular, minor version.
I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.

The source of the Billy Boy B

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 451).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 451, 452).

The Record of this 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

Billy Boy B - musuc notation

And the full lyrics

Billy Boy B

Where have ye bin all the day, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Where have ye bin all the day, me Billy Boy?
I’ve bin walkin’ on the quay, With me charmin’ Nancy Lee,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 2 *

Can she cook, can she bake, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she cook, can she bake, Billy Boy?
Aye, she can cook an’ she can bake, she can make a saffron cake,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 3 *

Can she darn an’ can she sew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she darn an’ can she sew, me Billy Boy?
Aye she can darn an’ she can sew, there is nought she cannot do,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 4 *

Can she wash an’ can she clean, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she wash an’ can she clean, me Billy Boy?
Aye she can wash an’ can she clean, an’ she plays the tambourine,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 5 *

Is she fit to be yer wife, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Is she fit to be yer wife, me Billy Boy?
Aye, she’s fit to be me wife as the fork is to the knife.
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 6 *

Can she cook a bit o’ steak, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she cook a bit o’ steak, me Billy Boy?
She can cook a bit o’ steak aye an’ make a gridle cake,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 7 *

Can she make an Irish stew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she make an Irish stew, me Billy Boy?
She can make an Irish stew, aye, an’ singin’ hinnies too,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 8 *

Does she sleep close unto thee, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Does she sleep close unto thee, me Billy Boy?
Aye, she sleeps close unt me, like the bark is to the tree,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 9 *

Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she make a feather bed, me Billy Boy?
She can make a feather bed, fit for any sailor’s head,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 10 *

Can she have the dipsy lead, etc.

* 11 *

Can she strop a block, etc.

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Billy Boy A

Interesting Facts about the Billy Boy A

“Billy Boy A”, according to Richard Runciman Terry, is a Northumbrian capstan shanty. But for Stan Hugill, it had a wider field than Northumberland. He tells us that he met seamen from London, Liverpool, and South Wales who also knew about this shanty. The song has two main versions; the most popular one is in a minor key. Both versions come from shore songs. The song in is tipe usually used two shantyman, one for the questions and one for an answers.
I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 450).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 450, 451).

The Record of the Billy Boy A

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

Billy Boy A - music notation

And the full lyrics

Billy Boy A

Where have ye bin all the day, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Where have ye bin all the day, me Billy Boy?
I’ve bin walkin’ on the quay, With me charmin’ Nancy Lee,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 2 *

Is she fit to be yer wife, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Is she fit to be yer wife, me Billy Boy?
Aye, she’s fit to be me wife as the fork is to the knife.
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 3 *

Can she cook a bit o’ steak, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she cook a bit o’ steak, me Billy Boy?
She can cook a bit o’ steak aye an’ make a gridle cake,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 4 *

Can she make an Irish stew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she make an Irish stew, me Billy Boy?
She can make an Irish stew, aye, an’ singin’ hinnies too,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 5 *

Does she sleep close unto thee, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Does she sleep close unto thee, me Billy Boy?
Aye, she sleeps close unt me, like the bark is to the tree,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 6 *

Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she make a feather bed, me Billy Boy?
She can make a feather bed, fit for any sailor’s head,
– An’ sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!

* 7 *

Can she have the dipsy lead, etc.

* 8 *

Can she strop a block, etc.

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C

Samuel Hall

Interesting Facts about the Samuel Hall

“Samuel Hall” is a beautiful capstan shanty, that was based in the old pirate song “Captain Kidd”. J. Reed of the ship “St. Mirren” gave Stan Hugill these verses. Also, Stan Hugill has referred, to that song was sung at the capstan, from the log of a sailing ship bound out to the West Indies.
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 449).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 449, 450).

The Record of this 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

Samuel Hall - music notation

And the full lyrics

Samuel Hall

Oh, my name is Samuel Hall,
– As we sail! As we sail!
Oh, my name is Samuel Hall,
– As we sail!

My name is Samuel Hall, an’ I’m only one foot small,
Oh, that’s belter than bein’ tall,
– As we sail! As we sail!
Oh, that’s belter than bein’ tall,
– As we sail!

* 2 *

Oh, my name is Bully Bose,
– As we sail! As we sail!
Oh, my name is Bully Bose,
– As we sail!

My name is Bully Bose, an’ me gal is Sara Rose,
She’s got jiggers in her toes,
– As we sail! As we sail!
She’s got jiggers in her toes,
– As we sail!

Related to this sea shanty

Et Nous Irons a Valparaiso (French)

Heave Away Me Johnnies A

Heave Away Me Johnnies C