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Maritime work song in general
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 24 Aug 23 - 01:11 PM “Line fishing and seine fishing now and then make a little variety in the sameness of a sailor's life, besides giving him a fresh meal, which he could not otherwise procure. When on ground for trawling, getting a good haul of fish occasionally tends much to dispel the monotony of being at sea. Only those who have heard the merry stamp and go of the watch on deck walking the trawl up to some lively tune, and seen the general excitement of the crew to know if there was a good or bad haul, can tell how much even such a little break as this enlivens a ship's company.” [Friendly Hints to the Young Naval Lieutenant, Liardet, 1858] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 24 Aug 23 - 01:12 PM “The rain poured in torrents as they entered the town, and although there was a young moon in the sky, the scud flitted over it so rapidly that it was only at intervals they could distinguish the tall masts tapering from the dark hulls of the vessels, where here and there a lantern glimmered, making the “darkness visible.” Through the mist came the sounds of men at a capstan, getting up the anchor–– “Cheerily, my men, with a yo heave ho! Cheerily, lads, and off we go!” So they sang, while a fiddle played merrily, and persons passed to and fro in a hurry, the captain shouting to take away the gang-board, for he would wait no longer for the steward or the boy.” [Hardy and Hunter, Ward, 1858] Harriet Ward née Tidy (1808–1873) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 24 Aug 23 - 01:19 PM Posted another one here: Origins: 'Haul on the Bowline' melody Related thread:Lyr Add: Haul on the Bowline (#3) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 24 Aug 23 - 01:20 PM c.1858 – 1860 “Bangkok est la Venise de l'Orient; on n'y entend que le bruit des rames, celui des ancres, le chant des matelots ou les cris des rameurs qu'on nomme cipayes. La rivière tient lieu de cours et de boulevards, et les canaux remplacent les rues. Un observateur n'a de choix dans ce pays qu'entre deux positions: s'accouder sur son balcon, ou glisser mollement sur l'eau couché au fond de son canot.” [Voyage dans les Royaumes de Siam, de Cambodge, de Laos et Autres Parties Centrales de l'Indo-Chine, Mouhot, 1868] Henri Mouhot (1826 – 1861) 1871 Italian edition for comparison: “Bangkok è la Venezia dell' Oriente; non s'ode che il tonfo dei remi, quello delle ancore, il canto dei marinai e il grido dei rematori chiamati cipai.” |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 24 Aug 23 - 01:22 PM “...And thee indeed, O mistress, an Argive ship of fifty oars will conduct home, and the wax-bound reed of mountain Pan with Syrinx tune cheer on the oarsmen, and prophet Phœbus, plying the tones of his seven-stringed lyre, with song will lead thee prosperously to the rich land of Athens. But leaving me here thou wilt travel by the dashing oars. And the haulyards by the prow, will stretch forth the sails to the air, above the beak, the sheet lines of the swift-journeying ship....” [Iphigenia in Tauris, Tragedies of Euripides, vol.I, Buckely trans.,1858] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,keberoxu Date: 17 Sep 23 - 12:52 PM The New York Sunday Times has a feature article today on the Griswold Inn and the Jovial Crew featuring Cliff Haslam. Their Monday Night performances must be known to some Mudcatters. I don't see a separate thread for them, I figure they belong here. My computer won't let me link to the online article, but perhaps someone else can rustle up a blue clicky. |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:18 AM 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] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:21 AM “It happened that a Carthaginian quinquereme had run ashore on the Bruttian coast when Appius Claudius was first crossing over to Sicily, and it was noted as a curious circumstance, that the Roman soldiers had taken a ship of war. This quinquereme, which had probably been sent to Rome as a trophy, was now made the shipwright's model, and a hundred ships were built after her pattern, and launched in two months after the first felling of the timber. The seamen, partly Roman proletarians, or citizens of the poorest class, partly Etruscans or Greeks from the maritime states of Italy, were all unaccustomed to row in quinqueremes, and the Romans had perhaps never handled an oar of any sort. While the ships were building therefore, to lose no time, the future crew of each quinquereme were ranged upon benches ashore, in the same order, that to us undiscoverable problem, in which they were hereafter to sit on board; the keleustes, whose voice or call regulated the stroke in the ancient galleys, stood in the midst of them, and at his signal they went through their movements, and learned to keep time together, as if they had been actually afloat. With such ships and such crews the Romans put to sea early in the spring, to seek an engagement with the fleet of the first naval power in the world.” [History of Rome, Arnold, 1844] Note: See Polybius (above.) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:22 AM ““...Very well,” said Ischomachus, but as to that which is common to all pursuits, whether agricultural, or political, or domestic, or military, namely, that he who would excel in them must be capable of directing others, I entirely agree with you, Socrates, that some persons greatly excel others in judgment; 3. as we see in a galley,' continued he, 'when the crew are out at sea, and have to accomplish a certain distance in the course of the day, some of the celeustæ[2] can act and speak in such a manner as to excite the spirits of the men to voluntary exertion, while others are so dull that the rowers take more than double the time in performing the same course. The one party, as well the celeustes as those who are directed by him, go on shore covered with perspiration, and praising one another, while the other party arrive indeed unfatigued, but detesting their officer, and detested by him….” [2] We have no English word for the K???vor?g in an ancient galley. He was the man who, by voice or signal, or both, gave time to the rowers. Virgil calls him hortator, Æn. iii. 128; and he was sometimes termed portisculus and pausarius. He was somewhat similar to the modern coxswain.” [Xenophon's Minor Works, Watson ed., 1857] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:24 AM “CELEÚSTICAMENTE. Adv. zéloustikaménté. Mil. Céleustiquement; par le moyen de la céleustique. CELEÚSTICO, CA, adj. zéléoustiko. Mil. Céleustique, se dit de l'art de transmettre des signaux au moyen d'instruments de musique. SALOMA, f. saloma. Sorte de cri ou de chant des matelots pendant la manœnvre. SALOMAR, n. salomar. Mar. On le dit des matelots qui crient ou chantent tous à la fois manœunvrant.” [Dictionnaire Espagnol-Français et Français-Espagnol, Gildo, 1858] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:26 AM “After various delays, we were at last ready for sea, and under sailing orders. The tide and wind were both propitious; then came the long-expected cry of the boatswain, “All hands up anchor, ahoy!” The crew manned the capstan in a trice, and running round to the tune of a lively air played by the fifer, the huge anchor rapidly left the mud of the Thames, and hung at the bows of our frigate.” [p.6] “After these and other preparations for another cruise were completed, the hoarse voice of the boatswain rang through the ship, crying, “All hands up anchor, ahoy!” In an instant the capstan bars were shipped, the fifer was at his station playing a lively tune, the boys were on the main-deck holding on to the “nippers,” ready to pass them to the men, who put them round the “messenger” and cable; then, amid the cries of “Walk round! heave away, my lads!” accompanied by the shrill music of the fife, the anchor rose from its bed, and was soon dangling under our bows.” [p.10] [The Life of a Sailor Boy, Chamber's Miscellany of Instructive & Entertaining Tracts, vol.4, 1858] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 21 Sep 23 - 08:30 PM “CELEÚSTICAMENTE, adj. adv. céléoùsticamênté. Mil. Céleustiquement, par le moyen de la céleustique. CELEÚSTICO, adj. céléoústico. Mil. Céleustique. Se dit de l'art de transmettre des signaux au moyen d'instruments de musique. SALOMA, f. salóma. Cri des matelots pour haler ensemble. SALOMAR, n. salomár. Mar. Pousser le cri de manœuvre.” [Nouveau Dictionnaire Espagnol-Français et Français-Espagnol, vol.1, Salvá, 1858] Note: Same as Gildo (above) save for pronunciation. |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 21 Sep 23 - 08:33 PM “The two ships' officers stood watching the lighters off, waving their hats; and as the last, bearing Major June on board, plunged away, the sailors, headed by Old Jack, gathered upon the forecastle, and gave three brave hearty cheers; the band played “The bold soldier boy.” and the next sound heard was the heave-ho! of the anchor, and the stout ship Aldebaran was homeward bound.” [FACA: An Army Memoir, Willcox, 1858] Orlando B. Willcox (1823 – 1902) “Day began to break; the shores of the Frith became dimly visible; the Bass, like a fixed cloud, appeared on the distant horizon; it was more than half-tide; and, as he stood upon the pier, he heard the yo-heave-ho! of seamen proceeding from a smack which lay on the south side of the harbour, by the lowest bridge.” [Wilson's Tales of the Borders, Wilson, Leighton, 1858] “Night and day “yo heave ho” of the Jack Tars rang over the water; and the party on shore ran to and fro, from the beach to the store, with bales, kegs, barrels, and boxes, on their shoulders.” [Ungava: A Tale of Esquimaux-land, Ballantyne, 1858] R. M. Ballantyne (1825 - 1894) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 21 Sep 23 - 08:34 PM “Chanter, v. a. cantar - - zalomar (cantare). Calomar, s. m. mar. cri des matelots (pour s'encourager á l'ouvrage). Calomar, V. Salomar. Salomar, v, n, mar. un le dit des matelots qui crient ou chantent tous a la fois (en manœuvrant). [Dictionnaire Français—Espagnol et Espagnol—Français, 4th ed., Fonseca, 1858] “Consonar, n. Tener consonancia. ? a. ant. Salomar. Saloma, f, Accion de salomar. Salomar, n, náut. Gritar el contramaestre ó guardian como cantando para que maniobren todos á un tiempo.” [Diccionario Manual de la Lengua Castellana, Campuzano, 1858] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 21 Sep 23 - 08:35 PM “CALOMA, f. cal-lo-mah. Nau. Singing out of sailors SALOMA, f. sah-lo-mah. Nau. Singing out of sailors. ? Ichth. Goldline. SALOMAR, n. sah-lo-mar. Nau. To sing out. ZALOMA, f. thal-lo-mah. Nau. Singing out of seamen when they haul with a rope. ZALOMAR, n. thah-lo-mar. Nau. To sing out.” [Dictionary of the Spanish and English Languages, D. J. R.,1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:48 PM c.1838 ““Come, Juba,” said Lewis to the head oarsman, “sing us a song; the boys* will help you.” “How you been ax me for sing, Maus Lewis? Me an't got no voice for sing,” answered Juba, who, like many of his brethren, required as much urging as a city belle. After delaying until we had almost forgotten our request, Juba commenced a tune, the oarsmen striking in with a full but untaught counter at the last word of every line. “Hi de good boat Neely?† She row bery fast, Miss Neely! An't no boat like a' Miss Neely, Ho yoi'! “Who gawing to row wid Miss Neely? Can't catch a' dis boat Neely–– Nobody show he face wid Neely, Ho yoi'?” As Juba concluded this verse he paused; a sly expression passed over his face; he put an additional quid of tobacco in his mouth, and went on–– “Maybe Maus Lewis take de oar for Neely, Bery handsome boat Miss Neely! Maus Lewis nice captain for Neely, Ho yoi'!” The verse was welcomed with shouts of laughter, and called for again and again, until the echoes of the Ashley shouted “encore!” but all the solicitations of the young men were ineffectual with Juba, who looked the personification of composure. * Boys, a term used to negroes even of a mature age. † Plantation boats are often named for members of a family. The chorus of one of the prettiest boat-songs I ever heard, was Eliza.” [Recollections of a Southern Matron, and a New England Bride, Gilman, 1859] Caroline Howard Gilman Pen name of Mrs. Clarissa Packard (1794 – 1888.) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:49 PM The preceding has a shorter mention in the Advent thread. See also for 1858: Songs of the Sea, Atlantic Monthly (Pay me the money down!, Storm Along Stormy, Highland Day, Off She Goes.) Songs of the Sailor, Oberlin Student's Monthly (We're a Bully Ship, O! Haulee, Heigho, Storm Along, Jim Along, Josey.) Sea Drift, Robinson (Sally Brown) And a few more no doubt. |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:52 PM “But Professor Harrison, in a paper read before the Royal Irish Academy in 1847, has stated that on careful examination of the head of an elephant which he had dissected, he could “see no evidence of the muscular structure if the membrana tympani so accurately described by Sir Everhard Home,” whose deduction is clearly inconsistent with the fact that the power of two elephants may be steadily combined by singing to them a measured chant, somewhat resembling a sailor's capstan song; and in labour of a particular kind, such as hauling a stone with ropes, they will thus move conjointly a weight to which their divided strength would be unequal.” [Ceylon, Tennent, Vol.II, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:53 PM “...“I like your plan, Captain Fink,” said Bim. “There is only one thing I would add to it, which I hope you'll agree to, and the plan will be the joint production of two heads. To appear bold, and indifferent, and confident, I think our men should sing a boat song.” “A boat song? My men can sing a Western river boat song, ten miles long, if that'll do.” “And my men can sing any chorus that ever was invented. Now let us announce the result of our conference to his Lordship. Will you do it?”” [Border War: A Tale of Disunion, Jones, 1859] John Beauchamp Jones (1810 – 1866) “...That done, the anchor had to be heaved up, and about sixty men were set to work the capstan, while, to cheer them at their work, and to second their combined action, a fifer struck up an enlivening tune….” [The Departure of the “Great Eastern.,” The Illustrated London News, vol.35, no.992, 10 Sept, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:55 PM “CELÉUSTICA, f. Arte de trasmitir las órdenes por medio de sonidos maricalmente musicos. CELÉUSTICAMENTE, adv. Por medio de la celeustica. SALOMA. m. Accion de salomar. SALOMAR. n. Náu. Cantar los marineros para maniobrar á un tiempo. ZALOMA, f. Cancion que usan los marinos para unir sus esfuerzos, cuando tiran de un cabo. ZALOMAR, a. Náu Cantar la zaloma.” [Nuevo Diccionario de la Lengua Castellana, D.R.B., 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 06:51 PM “Chanter, v. a. cantar - - zalomar (cantare). Calomar, s. m. mar. cri des matelots (pour s'encourager á l'ouvrage). Calomar, V. Salomar. Salomar, v, n, mar. un le dit des matelots qui crient ou chantent tous a la fois (en manœuvrant). [Dictionnaire Français—Espagnol et Espagnol—Français, 4th ed., Fonseca, 1858] “418 celeuma schif gesang” [Lateinisch-Deutsches Vocabular, Schröer, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 06:54 PM “Céleustique, f. [Mil.] Kunst f. om seinen door muzijkinstrumenten over te brengen. –– Ook als adj.: L'art c-.” [Nieuw Fransch en Nederduitsch Woordenboek, Olinger, 1859] “PROCELEUSMAT'IC, a. [Gr. …, mandate, incitement.] Inciting; animating; encouraging. This epithet is given to a metrical foot in poetry, consisting of four short syllables.” [The Imperial Dictionary, English, Technological, and Scientific, Ogilvie, 1859] “CELÉUSMA, s.m. Lett. Grido con cui si esortavano presso i Greci i rematori ed i cocchieri acció raddoppiassero i loro sforzi. Céleusme, m. SALOMÁRE, v. intr. Mar. Dare la voce. Donner la voix.” [Le Nouvel Alberti Dictionnaire Encyclopédique Frana¸is-Italien: Italiano-Francese, Francesco d' Alberti di Villanuova, Francesco Ambrosoli, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 06:55 PM “...The triremes began to run foul of each other, or become entangled with the store-vessels: so that in every ship the men aboard were obliged to keep pushing off their neighbors on each side with poles, not without loud clamor and mutual reproaches, which prevented both the orders of the captain, and the cheering sound or song whereby the keleustês animated the rowers and kept them to time, from being at all audible. Moreover, the fresh breeze had occasioned such a swell, that these rowers, unskilful under all circumstances, could not get their oars clear of the water, and the pilots thus lost all command over their vessels.(1) (1) See Dr. Arnold's note upon this passage of Thucydidês, respecting the keleustês and his functions: to the passages which he indicates as reference, I will add two more of Plautus, Mercat. iv, 2, 5, and Asinaria, iii, 1, 15. When we conceive the structure of an ancient trireme, we shall at once see, first, how essential the keleustês was, to keep the rowers in harmonious action,?next, how immense the difference must have been between practised and unpractised rowers. The trireme had, in all, one hundred and seventy rowers, distributed into three tiers.” [History of Greece, vol.6, Grote, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 06:57 PM “...Oh, cheerily, cheerily! is the anchor-song, morning, noon, and night in the great docks where the vessels from the coast of Africa lie, which have come home laden with gold-dust, and palm-oil, and elephants' teeth, and which are off again, ere many days, with huge packages of Birmingham hardware and Manchester goods, coral necklaces, and gimcrack ornaments for Mumbo Jumbo and Ashantee fetishes, slop rifles and cutlasses for the King of Dahomey's amazons….” [Cheerily, Cheerily!, Gaslight and Daylight, Sala, 1859] George Augustus Sala (1828 – 1895) “Throwing the reins of fancy free, and looking forward a few years, stately dwellings shall crown these hill tops; and, by one standing upon the sloping terrace, or sitting within the lofty corridor, shall be heard the hum of industry as it comes up from the east and from the west, and unites with the merry “ho, heave, ho,” of the mariner, as he unlades at your wharf the products of the nearer islands, the rich fabrics of India, and the spices of Borneo and Sumatra.” [The Norwich Jubilee, Stedman ed.,1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 07:00 PM “...Stepping upon the greasy stones, we strode three abreast through this not very reputable suburb, followed at an easy distance by two shining bull's eyes; the rattling of a ship's cable, or the distant “Yo, heave, ho!” of the sailors, warning us of the river on our right.” [X.X.X., Looking at Lodgings, The Ragged School Union Magazine, vol.XI., 1859] “CALOMA, f. cal-o-mah Nau. Singing out of sailors. CONSONAR, n. con-so-nar. To make a body sound; to play on musical instruments. ? To rhyme. ? met. To agree. FAENA, f. fah-ay-nah. Work, labor. ? Nau. Duty on board ships. SALOMAR>, n. sah-lo-mar. Nau. To sing out. ZALOMA, f. thal-o-mah. Nau. Singing out of seamen when they haul with a rope. ZALOMAR, n. thal-o-mar. Nau. To sing out.” [Dictionary of the Spanish and English Languages In Two Parts, D.J.R., 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phill d'Conch Date: 15 Nov 23 - 05:13 PM “Saloma, f. Matrosers Opsang ombord i Skibe under Arbeidet. Salomar, v.n. synge Opsang omb. i Skibe.” [Diccionario de las Lenguas Española y Noruega, Frellsen, 1859] “Oíase en la playa el continuo choque de las menudas olas, mezclándose con el ruido que formaban barquilleros y pescadores, que volvian á sus trabajos, interrumpidos por el descanso de la noche. Añádase á esto el salomar de los marineros, unido con los ecos de molinetes y cabrestantes, que indicaban las faenas de levar anclas, y se tendrá un conjunto caprichoso, bello y variado, del cual solo puede disfrutarse en los puertos de mar, y de la importancia que tiene el que nos ocupa.” [El Milano de los Mares, Benisia, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 15 Nov 23 - 05:15 PM “...The pilot took charge of the vessel, the men were ordered to man the windlass, which order was obeyed with alacrity. Faces diminished in longitude, and were lighted up with smiles. The anchor song of “Yeo, heave O,” never sounded more musical or inspiring than on that occasion.” [Jack in the Forecastle Or, Incidents in the Early Life of Hawser Martingale [pseud.], Sleeper, 1860] John Sherburne Sleeper (1794–1878) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 15 Nov 23 - 05:16 PM “...On the 23d and 24th we were busily occupied in breaking out and getting ashore our right whale oil. After getting it all in casks, we launched it overboard, and, with four boats fully manned, the crews of all joining in a rattling, heaving song, we towed the casks along before the city front, attracting hundreds of the citizens to the wharves to witness the method of the Yankees at work. They seemed to be satisfied by their scrutiny, that we were the smartest nation in all creation.” [p.186] “...The boat generally returned before midnight; and it was customary for the crew that manned it to sing a jolly heaving-song at the top of their voices — all joining in the chorus; and the nights being still and serene, the effect produced was rather startling through the silent harbor.” [p.203] [Four Years Aboard the Whaleship: Embracing Cruises in the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Antarctic Oceans, in the Years 1855, '6, '7, '8, '9, Whitecar, 1860] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 15 Nov 23 - 05:17 PM “...Leaving them there, he returned to the quarter-deck, and gave orders for the anchor to be weighed. The hands were turned up accordingly––the boat which had brought them on board was hoisted up––the capstan was manned––Mr. Barker called out, “Are you brought to below?” “All ready!” was the answer––the fiddler struck up “Off she goes!”––the men hove round with a hearty good will––the anchor was speedily out of the ground, and the William Tell under sail, running rapidly down channel with a fair and pleasant breeze.” [The Saucy Jack, A Blue Jacket, 1860 |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 15 Nov 23 - 05:22 PM “DAILY ROUTINE.—AFFECTING ROLL-CALLS, MEALS, STUDIES, RECITATIONS, DRILLS, ETC. 11. The drum, besides beating for Reveille and Tattoo, is to beat for the following purposes: Morning Roll-call and Prayers––Assembly. Breakfast––Peas-upon-a-Trencher. Sick-call––Surgeon's Call. Colors––Troop. Dinner––Roast Beef; Lyr Add: Roast Beef of Old England. Supper––Canteen Call. Great-guns––Off She Goes; Off She Goes. Artillery––Dan Tucker; Origins: Old Dan Tucker . Seamanship exercise––Kingdom Coming; Tune Req: Kingdom Coming (in the Year of Jubilo). Boats––Charlie Over the Water; Lyr/Chords Req: Over the Water to Charlie. Fencing––Boy with Auburn Hair; Lyr Req: The Red Haired Boy^^^ Infantry––Drill Call. (Drum.) Dress Parade––Partant pour la Syrie 12. The bugle shall sound the calls for Morning and Even. ing Studies; for those at 3 p. m. on Sundays; and for all recitations.” [Regulations of the United States Naval Academy, USNA, 1860] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,keberoxu Date: 17 Sep 23 - 12:52 PM The New York Sunday Times has a feature article today on the Griswold Inn and the Jovial Crew featuring Cliff Haslam. Their Monday Night performances must be known to some Mudcatters. I don't see a separate thread for them, I figure they belong here. My computer won't let me link to the online article, but perhaps someone else can rustle up a blue clicky. |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:18 AM 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] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:21 AM “It happened that a Carthaginian quinquereme had run ashore on the Bruttian coast when Appius Claudius was first crossing over to Sicily, and it was noted as a curious circumstance, that the Roman soldiers had taken a ship of war. This quinquereme, which had probably been sent to Rome as a trophy, was now made the shipwright's model, and a hundred ships were built after her pattern, and launched in two months after the first felling of the timber. The seamen, partly Roman proletarians, or citizens of the poorest class, partly Etruscans or Greeks from the maritime states of Italy, were all unaccustomed to row in quinqueremes, and the Romans had perhaps never handled an oar of any sort. While the ships were building therefore, to lose no time, the future crew of each quinquereme were ranged upon benches ashore, in the same order, that to us undiscoverable problem, in which they were hereafter to sit on board; the keleustes, whose voice or call regulated the stroke in the ancient galleys, stood in the midst of them, and at his signal they went through their movements, and learned to keep time together, as if they had been actually afloat. With such ships and such crews the Romans put to sea early in the spring, to seek an engagement with the fleet of the first naval power in the world.” [History of Rome, Arnold, 1844] Note: See Polybius (above.) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:22 AM ““...Very well,” said Ischomachus, but as to that which is common to all pursuits, whether agricultural, or political, or domestic, or military, namely, that he who would excel in them must be capable of directing others, I entirely agree with you, Socrates, that some persons greatly excel others in judgment; 3. as we see in a galley,' continued he, 'when the crew are out at sea, and have to accomplish a certain distance in the course of the day, some of the celeustæ[2] can act and speak in such a manner as to excite the spirits of the men to voluntary exertion, while others are so dull that the rowers take more than double the time in performing the same course. The one party, as well the celeustes as those who are directed by him, go on shore covered with perspiration, and praising one another, while the other party arrive indeed unfatigued, but detesting their officer, and detested by him….” [2] We have no English word for the K???vor?g in an ancient galley. He was the man who, by voice or signal, or both, gave time to the rowers. Virgil calls him hortator, Æn. iii. 128; and he was sometimes termed portisculus and pausarius. He was somewhat similar to the modern coxswain.” [Xenophon's Minor Works, Watson ed., 1857] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:24 AM “CELEÚSTICAMENTE. Adv. zéloustikaménté. Mil. Céleustiquement; par le moyen de la céleustique. CELEÚSTICO, CA, adj. zéléoustiko. Mil. Céleustique, se dit de l'art de transmettre des signaux au moyen d'instruments de musique. SALOMA, f. saloma. Sorte de cri ou de chant des matelots pendant la manœnvre. SALOMAR, n. salomar. Mar. On le dit des matelots qui crient ou chantent tous à la fois manœunvrant.” [Dictionnaire Espagnol-Français et Français-Espagnol, Gildo, 1858] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 18 Sep 23 - 06:26 AM “After various delays, we were at last ready for sea, and under sailing orders. The tide and wind were both propitious; then came the long-expected cry of the boatswain, “All hands up anchor, ahoy!” The crew manned the capstan in a trice, and running round to the tune of a lively air played by the fifer, the huge anchor rapidly left the mud of the Thames, and hung at the bows of our frigate.” [p.6] “After these and other preparations for another cruise were completed, the hoarse voice of the boatswain rang through the ship, crying, “All hands up anchor, ahoy!” In an instant the capstan bars were shipped, the fifer was at his station playing a lively tune, the boys were on the main-deck holding on to the “nippers,” ready to pass them to the men, who put them round the “messenger” and cable; then, amid the cries of “Walk round! heave away, my lads!” accompanied by the shrill music of the fife, the anchor rose from its bed, and was soon dangling under our bows.” [p.10] [The Life of a Sailor Boy, Chamber's Miscellany of Instructive & Entertaining Tracts, vol.4, 1858] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 21 Sep 23 - 08:30 PM “CELEÚSTICAMENTE, adj. adv. céléoùsticamênté. Mil. Céleustiquement, par le moyen de la céleustique. CELEÚSTICO, adj. céléoústico. Mil. Céleustique. Se dit de l'art de transmettre des signaux au moyen d'instruments de musique. SALOMA, f. salóma. Cri des matelots pour haler ensemble. SALOMAR, n. salomár. Mar. Pousser le cri de manœuvre.” [Nouveau Dictionnaire Espagnol-Français et Français-Espagnol, vol.1, Salvá, 1858] Note: Same as Gildo (above) save for pronunciation. |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 21 Sep 23 - 08:33 PM “The two ships' officers stood watching the lighters off, waving their hats; and as the last, bearing Major June on board, plunged away, the sailors, headed by Old Jack, gathered upon the forecastle, and gave three brave hearty cheers; the band played “The bold soldier boy.” and the next sound heard was the heave-ho! of the anchor, and the stout ship Aldebaran was homeward bound.” [FACA: An Army Memoir, Willcox, 1858] Orlando B. Willcox (1823 – 1902) “Day began to break; the shores of the Frith became dimly visible; the Bass, like a fixed cloud, appeared on the distant horizon; it was more than half-tide; and, as he stood upon the pier, he heard the yo-heave-ho! of seamen proceeding from a smack which lay on the south side of the harbour, by the lowest bridge.” [Wilson's Tales of the Borders, Wilson, Leighton, 1858] “Night and day “yo heave ho” of the Jack Tars rang over the water; and the party on shore ran to and fro, from the beach to the store, with bales, kegs, barrels, and boxes, on their shoulders.” [Ungava: A Tale of Esquimaux-land, Ballantyne, 1858] R. M. Ballantyne (1825 - 1894) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 21 Sep 23 - 08:34 PM “Chanter, v. a. cantar - - zalomar (cantare). Calomar, s. m. mar. cri des matelots (pour s'encourager á l'ouvrage). Calomar, V. Salomar. Salomar, v, n, mar. un le dit des matelots qui crient ou chantent tous a la fois (en manœuvrant). [Dictionnaire Français—Espagnol et Espagnol—Français, 4th ed., Fonseca, 1858] “Consonar, n. Tener consonancia. ? a. ant. Salomar. Saloma, f, Accion de salomar. Salomar, n, náut. Gritar el contramaestre ó guardian como cantando para que maniobren todos á un tiempo.” [Diccionario Manual de la Lengua Castellana, Campuzano, 1858] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 21 Sep 23 - 08:35 PM “CALOMA, f. cal-lo-mah. Nau. Singing out of sailors SALOMA, f. sah-lo-mah. Nau. Singing out of sailors. ? Ichth. Goldline. SALOMAR, n. sah-lo-mar. Nau. To sing out. ZALOMA, f. thal-lo-mah. Nau. Singing out of seamen when they haul with a rope. ZALOMAR, n. thah-lo-mar. Nau. To sing out.” [Dictionary of the Spanish and English Languages, D. J. R.,1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:48 PM c.1838 ““Come, Juba,” said Lewis to the head oarsman, “sing us a song; the boys* will help you.” “How you been ax me for sing, Maus Lewis? Me an't got no voice for sing,” answered Juba, who, like many of his brethren, required as much urging as a city belle. After delaying until we had almost forgotten our request, Juba commenced a tune, the oarsmen striking in with a full but untaught counter at the last word of every line. “Hi de good boat Neely?† She row bery fast, Miss Neely! An't no boat like a' Miss Neely, Ho yoi'! “Who gawing to row wid Miss Neely? Can't catch a' dis boat Neely–– Nobody show he face wid Neely, Ho yoi'?” As Juba concluded this verse he paused; a sly expression passed over his face; he put an additional quid of tobacco in his mouth, and went on–– “Maybe Maus Lewis take de oar for Neely, Bery handsome boat Miss Neely! Maus Lewis nice captain for Neely, Ho yoi'!” The verse was welcomed with shouts of laughter, and called for again and again, until the echoes of the Ashley shouted “encore!” but all the solicitations of the young men were ineffectual with Juba, who looked the personification of composure. * Boys, a term used to negroes even of a mature age. † Plantation boats are often named for members of a family. The chorus of one of the prettiest boat-songs I ever heard, was Eliza.” [Recollections of a Southern Matron, and a New England Bride, Gilman, 1859] Caroline Howard Gilman Pen name of Mrs. Clarissa Packard (1794 – 1888.) |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:49 PM The preceding has a shorter mention in the Advent thread. See also for 1858: Songs of the Sea, Atlantic Monthly (Pay me the money down!, Storm Along Stormy, Highland Day, Off She Goes.) Songs of the Sailor, Oberlin Student's Monthly (We're a Bully Ship, O! Haulee, Heigho, Storm Along, Jim Along, Josey.) Sea Drift, Robinson (Sally Brown) And a few more no doubt. |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:52 PM “But Professor Harrison, in a paper read before the Royal Irish Academy in 1847, has stated that on careful examination of the head of an elephant which he had dissected, he could “see no evidence of the muscular structure if the membrana tympani so accurately described by Sir Everhard Home,” whose deduction is clearly inconsistent with the fact that the power of two elephants may be steadily combined by singing to them a measured chant, somewhat resembling a sailor's capstan song; and in labour of a particular kind, such as hauling a stone with ropes, they will thus move conjointly a weight to which their divided strength would be unequal.” [Ceylon, Tennent, Vol.II, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:53 PM “...“I like your plan, Captain Fink,” said Bim. “There is only one thing I would add to it, which I hope you'll agree to, and the plan will be the joint production of two heads. To appear bold, and indifferent, and confident, I think our men should sing a boat song.” “A boat song? My men can sing a Western river boat song, ten miles long, if that'll do.” “And my men can sing any chorus that ever was invented. Now let us announce the result of our conference to his Lordship. Will you do it?”” [Border War: A Tale of Disunion, Jones, 1859] John Beauchamp Jones (1810 – 1866) “...That done, the anchor had to be heaved up, and about sixty men were set to work the capstan, while, to cheer them at their work, and to second their combined action, a fifer struck up an enlivening tune….” [The Departure of the “Great Eastern.,” The Illustrated London News, vol.35, no.992, 10 Sept, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 23 Sep 23 - 01:55 PM “CELÉUSTICA, f. Arte de trasmitir las órdenes por medio de sonidos maricalmente musicos. CELÉUSTICAMENTE, adv. Por medio de la celeustica. SALOMA. m. Accion de salomar. SALOMAR. n. Náu. Cantar los marineros para maniobrar á un tiempo. ZALOMA, f. Cancion que usan los marinos para unir sus esfuerzos, cuando tiran de un cabo. ZALOMAR, a. Náu Cantar la zaloma.” [Nuevo Diccionario de la Lengua Castellana, D.R.B., 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 06:51 PM “Chanter, v. a. cantar - - zalomar (cantare). Calomar, s. m. mar. cri des matelots (pour s'encourager á l'ouvrage). Calomar, V. Salomar. Salomar, v, n, mar. un le dit des matelots qui crient ou chantent tous a la fois (en manœuvrant). [Dictionnaire Français—Espagnol et Espagnol—Français, 4th ed., Fonseca, 1858] “418 celeuma schif gesang” [Lateinisch-Deutsches Vocabular, Schröer, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 06:54 PM “Céleustique, f. [Mil.] Kunst f. om seinen door muzijkinstrumenten over te brengen. –– Ook als adj.: L'art c-.” [Nieuw Fransch en Nederduitsch Woordenboek, Olinger, 1859] “PROCELEUSMAT'IC, a. [Gr. …, mandate, incitement.] Inciting; animating; encouraging. This epithet is given to a metrical foot in poetry, consisting of four short syllables.” [The Imperial Dictionary, English, Technological, and Scientific, Ogilvie, 1859] “CELÉUSMA, s.m. Lett. Grido con cui si esortavano presso i Greci i rematori ed i cocchieri acció raddoppiassero i loro sforzi. Céleusme, m. SALOMÁRE, v. intr. Mar. Dare la voce. Donner la voix.” [Le Nouvel Alberti Dictionnaire Encyclopédique Frana¸is-Italien: Italiano-Francese, Francesco d' Alberti di Villanuova, Francesco Ambrosoli, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 06:55 PM “...The triremes began to run foul of each other, or become entangled with the store-vessels: so that in every ship the men aboard were obliged to keep pushing off their neighbors on each side with poles, not without loud clamor and mutual reproaches, which prevented both the orders of the captain, and the cheering sound or song whereby the keleustês animated the rowers and kept them to time, from being at all audible. Moreover, the fresh breeze had occasioned such a swell, that these rowers, unskilful under all circumstances, could not get their oars clear of the water, and the pilots thus lost all command over their vessels.(1) (1) See Dr. Arnold's note upon this passage of Thucydidês, respecting the keleustês and his functions: to the passages which he indicates as reference, I will add two more of Plautus, Mercat. iv, 2, 5, and Asinaria, iii, 1, 15. When we conceive the structure of an ancient trireme, we shall at once see, first, how essential the keleustês was, to keep the rowers in harmonious action,?next, how immense the difference must have been between practised and unpractised rowers. The trireme had, in all, one hundred and seventy rowers, distributed into three tiers.” [History of Greece, vol.6, Grote, 1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 06:57 PM “...Oh, cheerily, cheerily! is the anchor-song, morning, noon, and night in the great docks where the vessels from the coast of Africa lie, which have come home laden with gold-dust, and palm-oil, and elephants' teeth, and which are off again, ere many days, with huge packages of Birmingham hardware and Manchester goods, coral necklaces, and gimcrack ornaments for Mumbo Jumbo and Ashantee fetishes, slop rifles and cutlasses for the King of Dahomey's amazons….” [Cheerily, Cheerily!, Gaslight and Daylight, Sala, 1859] George Augustus Sala (1828 – 1895) “Throwing the reins of fancy free, and looking forward a few years, stately dwellings shall crown these hill tops; and, by one standing upon the sloping terrace, or sitting within the lofty corridor, shall be heard the hum of industry as it comes up from the east and from the west, and unites with the merry “ho, heave, ho,” of the mariner, as he unlades at your wharf the products of the nearer islands, the rich fabrics of India, and the spices of Borneo and Sumatra.” [The Norwich Jubilee, Stedman ed.,1859] |
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Subject: RE: Maritime work song in general From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 11 Nov 23 - 07:00 PM “...Stepping upon the greasy stones, we strode three abreast through this not very reputable suburb, followed at an easy distance by two shining bull's eyes; the rattling of a ship's cable, or the distant “Yo, heave, ho!” of the sailors, warning us of the river on our right.” [X.X.X., Looking at Lodgings, The Ragged School Union Magazine, vol.XI., 1859] “CALOMA, f. cal-o-mah Nau. Singing out of sailors. CONSONAR, n. con-so-nar. To make a body sound; to play on musical instruments. ? To rhyme. ? met. To agree. FAENA, f. fah-ay-nah. Work, labor. ? Nau. Duty on board ships. SALOMAR>, n. sah-lo-mar. Nau. To sing out. ZALOMA, f. thal-o-mah. Nau. Singing out of seamen when they haul with a rope. ZALOMAR, n. thal-o-mar. Nau. To sing out.” [Dictionary of the Spanish and English Languages In Two Parts, D.J.R., 1859] |
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