159 - Blow The Wind Wester. (Cecil Sharp First Version) - Capstan Shanty


According to Stan Hugill, both version of the "Blow The Wind Wester." song, recorded and documented by Cecil Sharp in the "Journal of the Folk-Song Society" (No 18 from January 1914) was a shanty sang at capstan and at the pumps. This version was Sung by Mr. Wm. Woolley (aged 84), Bincombe, Somerset, January 6th, 1908.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 197).


Blow The Wind Wester. (First Version)


It's up jumps the sprat, the smallest of them all;
She jumped on the foredeck, well done, my lads all...

   - So blow the wind wester, blow the wind, blow!
   - Our ship she's in full sail, how steady she goes.

                                  *2*
Then up jumps the eel, with his slippery tail;
He jumped on the fore deck and glistened the sail.

                                  *3*
Then up jumps the nirl-log, with his pretty spots;
He jumped on the fore deck and looked on the top.

                                  *4*
Then up jumps the nirl-log, with his rolling teeth;
He said: "Mr. Captain, shall I cook your beef? "

                                  *5*
Then up jumps the roter, the king of the sea;
He jumped on the fore deck and turned the key.