“The wind being contrary, the motion of the boat was very disagreeable, and the shouting, bawling, and singing of the rowers was intolerable decidedly the most inharmonious crew I ever had the misfortune of being in the same boat with.” [p.84]

“Their airs are, however, sometimes monotonous, and their choruses very like groans of disapprobation. Ten voices, often fine, singing plaintive airs in a minor key, have generally a very pleasing effect; but before the Nile voyage is over travellers get rather tired of it, as the men pretend they cannot row without singing.” [p.113]

“The men never work so well if they are not allowed to sing when they row; but if the singing is felt to be a nuisance, it can always be checked, or even stopped entirely.” [pp.342-343]
[A Winter in Upper and Lower Egypt, Hoskins, 1863]