The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #167430   Message #4188208
Posted By: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
18-Sep-23 - 06:18 AM
Thread Name: Maritime work song in general
Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general
c.1833
““All hands up anchor,” was the next cry with which the decks reverberated.
“Bring-to below, there,” said the first mate, speaking down the main-hatchway. “Bear a hand, and swift your capstan-bars here! All ready at the after hatchway?”
“All ready, sir,” was the reply.
“All ready forward?”
“All ready, sir.”
“Strike up, fifer! Huzza for Blackwall!”
The fifer fifed merrily, round went the men with the capstan-bars, keeping time with their feet to his music, and shouting at intervals in chorus to rally themselves at their labor; and in a short time the ninety-six fathoms of chain were rounded in, the sails loosed, and the old ship once more beating out of the bay.”
[An Irish Pilot on Board an Indiaman., Sea Stories, Putnam's Library, 1858]