062 - De Hoffnung - (English version)


Stan Hugill tells, is that this shanty was popular aboard a German four-masted barque, He was shipped in called "Gustav", hailing from Bremen. The first time Stan Hugill heard this version from Ossie Ziemer, young seamen from the Fresian Islands, would often raise it at t'gallant halyards. To raise up this yard, it was always sung, long haul type halyard shanty(slower tempo), due to the huge weight of the yard.
This song was very popular in English and American Ships. It was probably, in the nineties of XIX century of the most-used halyard shanty of them all. Even the German and Scandinavians popularized versions in their own tongues. This song was sung as halyard shanty.
Here is the English translation by Ingo Scharf. It also possible that the song has never been sung at sea, and Hugill just posts a translation of a German 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 singing it this text.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 105).



De Hoffnung - English Translation



De Hoffnung was a hundreed days under way,
         - to my way, hay, hoday.
She sailed from Hamburg to Valparaiso.
         - a long time ago.

*2*
She sailed good and she sailed hard,
She had such a fine and costly cargo.

*3*
And as the Old Man swore and cursed,
The Devil came climbing over the rail.

*4*
If you bring me to the Channel in ten days time,
Surely as you stink you will get my soul.

*5*
The old hulk, at last, went nineteen knots,
THe Devil had the skysails set.

*6*
And when she came to the channel to anchor,
Then said the Devil, 'Give me your soul.'

*7*
Then said the Old Man, 'Take your time,
We have to anchor by Cape St. Patric".

*8*
The Devil now was more than overjoyed,
He ran up the fo'c'sle-head to let go the anchor.

*9*
The old carpenter was greatly pleased,
He had spliced the Devil's backside to the anchor.

*10*
And as the anchor went down to the ground,
The Devil went with it--the dirty big hound!