028 - Way Stormalong, John

This shanty same as "Stormalong, Lads, Stormy", came from the same shantyman "Harding, the Barbadian Barbarian" from Barbados. About Harding, Stan Hugill calls him master of the 'hitch" - the singing wild yelps at certain points in hauling song. In both foregoing shanties and in the one which follows - which Stan Hugill also obtained from him - he would give vent to many wild 'hitches', absolutely impossible for a white man to copy. It was originally used at the pumps.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 77).


Way Stormalong, John

Oh, Stormy's gone that good ol' man,
   - 'Way, Stormalong John!
Oh, Stormy's gone that good ol' man,
   - 'Way-ay, Mister Stormalong John.

                   *2*
A good ol' skipper to his crew,
An able seamen bold an' true,

                   *3*
We dug his grave with a silver spade,
His shroud o' finest silk wuz made.

                   *4*
Old Stormy heard the Angel call,
So sing his dirge now one an' all.

                   *5*
He slipped his cable of Cape Horn,
Close by the place where he wuz born.

                   *6*
I wisht I wuz Ol Stormy's son,
I'd build a ship o' a thousant ton

                   *7*
I'd sail this wide world round an' round,
With plenty o' money I'd be found..

                   *8*
We'd sail this ol' world round an' round,
An' get hot rum oh, I'll be bound.

                   *9*
I'd load her up with Jamaicy rum,
An' all me shellbacks they'd have some.

                  *10*
We'd git our drinks, lads, every man,
With a bleedin' big bottle for the shantyman.

                  *11*
I'd load 'er up with grup an' gin,
An' stay in the port that we wuz in.

                  *12*
I'd feed ye well, an' raise yer pay,
An' stand ye drinks three times a day.

                  *13*
An' whin we git to Liverpool Town,
We'll dance them judies round an' round.

                  *14*
Oh, Stormalong an' around we'll go,
Oh, Stormalong through ice an' snow.

                  *15*
When Stormy died he made a will,
To give us sailors gin to swill.