132 - High O, Come Roll Me Over! - Halyard Shanty

This shanty was given as a halyard shanty, and in this way, I will try to recreate it, but Stan Hugill claims it more likely can be used for tack and sheets. This song comes from Stan Hugill's friend, Harding, who declared still being sung (in 1932) for rolling logs in the West Indies - the roll coming on the word, where the drag would be on the rope.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 169).


High O, Come Roll Me Over!


Oho, why don't you blow?
   - HIGH-O! Come Roll me over!
Oho, why don't you blow?
   - HIGH-O! Come Roll me over!

         *2*
One man to strike the bell,
One man to strike the bell,

       *3*
To men to man the wheel.
To men to man the wheel.

       *4*
Three men, to'gallant braces.
Three men, to'gallant braces.

       *5*
Four men to board the tack.
Four men to board the tack.

       *6*
Five men to have the lead.
Five men to have the lead.

       *7*
Six men, to furl t'g'ns'ls.
Six men, to furl t'g'ns'ls.

       *8*
Seven men to bunt-a-bo.
Seven men to bunt-a-bo.