The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #149560   Message #3481229
Posted By: Lighter
18-Feb-13 - 07:19 PM
Thread Name: 'Donkeyman' calling Shanty nerds
Subject: RE: 'Donkeyman' calling Shanty nerds
That's one way to look at it.

It's suddenly obvious to me that this is a donkey-engine shanty, sung by donkeymen as they started up their little engines. That action required far more work than people today realize. Often several ABs had to clap on to the switch and howl the chorus as the donkeyman soloed of foreign ports and the amazing sights awaiting them there....