Menhaden chanteys were sung by the fisherman on the purse boats as they hardened the net, pulling the menhaden to the surface where they could be scooped by a dip net and deposited in the ship's hold.

These songs included spirituals, such as "Drinking of the Wine," Afro-American ballads such as "Lazarus," and randomly sung traditional verses, as in "Every Mail Day."


X:1
T:EVERY MAIL DAY
M:2/4
L:1/8
K:F
z F, G,A, | B,4 | D z3 | D2 B,2 | D2 D2 | B,2 B,2 | z F, G,A, | B,4 | D z3 | D2 B,2 | D2 D2 | B,2 B,2 | z

F,/F,/ G,A, | B,4 | D z3| D4 | HB, F,G, B, | B,4 ||
w: If I can row (yeah) Row a few days long er If I can row (yeah) Row a few days long er Then I'm

goin' back home (boy) Oh lord, I'm goin' back home.   
W:
W:If I can row (yeah)                               Oh Evaline,
W:Row a few days longer                         She's got money 'cumulatin'
W:If I can row (yeah)                               Oh Evaline,
W:Row a few days longer                         She's got money 'cumulatin'.
W:Then I'm goin' back home (boy)            I love that girl (boy)
W:Oh Lord, I'm goin' back home.               Lord, Lord, I love that girl.
W:
W:Well every mail day                              Oh Jack o'Diamonds
W:Mail day, I gets a letter.                        Layin' right there on the bottom
W:Well every mail day                              Oh Jack o'Diamonds
W:Mail day, I gets a letter.                         Layin' right there on the bottom
W:Sayin' daddy come home (boy)             Well who gonna raise him?
W:Lord, Lord, daddy come home.             Lord, Lord, who gonna raise?
W:
W:I would go home (boy)                         If I can row (yeah)
W:I ain't got no ready made money.          Row (yeah) a few days longer.   
W:I would go home (boy)                         If I can row (yeah)
W:I ain't got no ready made money            Row (yeah) a few days longer.
W:To pay my way (boy)                            Then I'm goin' back home (boy)
W:Oh Lord, to pay my way.                      Lord, Lord, I'm goin' back home.

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