Interesting Facts about Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version)
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”. Stan Hugill in their description of the Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version), said that his friend Mr. T. E. Elwell informed him that when he was a shantyman he often sang the words of certain songs A. Conan Doyle had written in his series “Tales of the High Seas”.
This was all about a certain pirate “Captain Shankey” of the ship “Happy Delivery”. The Rio Grande, sailors sang at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound song. According to Stan Hugill. This fine shanty at 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: “Tales of the High Seas” by Arthur Conan Doyle. The last three verses from 15 – 17 are Liverpool Stanzas (mentioned by Stan Hugill).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 93).
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 full lyrics
Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version)
A trader sailed from Stepney Town,
– Way down Rio!
With a bag of gold and a silken gown,
– And we’re bound for the Rio Gran-de,
– Then away, love away!
– Way down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my pretty young girl,
– And; we’re bound for the Rio Gran-de,
* 2 *
Where is the trader of Stepney Town?
– Way …
His gold’s on the capstan, his blood”s on his gown.
–And …
– Then away, love away!
– Way down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my pretty young girl,
– And …
* 3 *
Then it’s up an’ it’s over to Stornaway Bay,
– Way …
Where the whisky is good and the lassies are gay.
–And …
– Then away, love away!
– Way down Rio!
– Sing fare-ye-well, my pretty young girl,
–And …