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Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib
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Subject: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 07 Mar 09 - 06:13 PM Hello I'd like to invite Mudkittens interested in chanteys/shanties to see my playlist on YouTube, in which I've been recording my renditions of all the chanteys in Stan Hugill's SHANTIES FROM THE SEVEN SEAS (page numbers refer to 1994 edition). For the last year or so I have been in the process of learning them all, to gain a deeper understanding of chanteys than I had previously. I thought that by actually forcing myself to learn them so that I could perform them (in some semblance!) I would learn a lot more than just from reading the book. So the text by Hugill happens to be the main focus; though I use whatever other means are at my disposal (my experiences, other texts, recordings, Internet) it is largely an experiment to see if, after removing assumptions, I can bring anything fresh to the table while mediating Stan's notations. As the project has been on-going, my understand and opinions have also changed/grown, so note that what I do in one video may contradict others. In some ways it is a diary-like (vlog) format. The performances are not meant to be performances to end all performances! They are realizations, attempts, tries, translations, flounderings...at a particular moment, for whatever they are worth (probably more to me than to viewers, ha). Also, they are not supposed to conform to some idea of "authentic" performance of 19th century sailors--I am trying to ~respect~ the traits of chanteys without (as I believe would be foolish) suppressing my own personality, heritage, historical circumstances, etc. While recognizing the very absurdity of performing chanteys out of context (*while not at work on a sailing vessel*), I believe that even as out-of-context performances one could (should?) still try to adhere to certain baseline characteristics that define the genre. My main goal is not to entertain, as in my opinion the primary intent of a chantey is not to entertain audiences. Therefore, my performances are not overly concerned with singing well, keeping interest, etc. Basically I'm saying I don't give a crap when my singing sucks; don't expect a pleasant experience. I started it mainly for myself, with the goal of learning (i.e. fully by memory) the alleged "400+" chanteys in the book. I hope though in some small way to be adding something to the "database" as it were, perhaps in the way of offering examples of some of the lesser-known chanteys Even if my renditions are judged as falling short of something the listener values in a chantey performances, at least hopefully they have some usefulness as bringing the printed page into the more accessible audio format. *insert list of more disclaimers here* Anyway, I invite anyone to comment, respond (e.g. in the form of video responses), whatever. Thanks Here's THE PLAYLIST ANd here's my channel Gibb P.S. I'll warn you that I'm a bit weird, so don't expect orthodoxy and party-line presentations ;) |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: SINSULL Date: 07 Mar 09 - 06:22 PM Hartford, CT Gibb? Mystic regular, maybe? |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: SINSULL Date: 07 Mar 09 - 06:24 PM OOPS You will find a welcome here. There is a regular shanty group in Portsmouth, NH with a festival. Last year we had a festival in Maine. Several chanty/shanty singers/groups are regulars here. Your list is huge - I couldn't listen to all of it but will tomorrow. Welcome SINS |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: curmudgeon Date: 07 Mar 09 - 06:27 PM I've only listened to one, but I am favorably impressed thus far. Will PM you later - Tom |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Azizi Date: 08 Mar 09 - 09:53 AM Thanks for sharing these songs-and thanks for adding such informative summaries for each song. Those summaries are particularly interesting and helpful for folks like me who don't know chanteys-or at least think we don't know any or just a few songs from that genre. Our knowledge of those songs will be greatly increased as a result of your selections on YouTube. Best wishes, and welcome to Mudcat! Azizi |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 08 Mar 09 - 10:24 AM Gibb- What an ambitious project! I do hope you have some like-minded nautical folks to sing with. I can't imagine how else one could sustain personal interest in learning so many sea songs. Do consider joining our 3rd Saturday gathering at the Press Room in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, if it's within range. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Azizi Date: 08 Mar 09 - 10:25 AM Also, Gibb Sahib, you said ..."I'll warn you that I'm a bit weird, so don't expect orthodoxy and party-line presentations ;) ". Gibb Sahib, I am Spartacus. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: RangerSteve Date: 08 Mar 09 - 04:20 PM Thanks for providing me with possibly hours of videos to watch. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 08 Mar 09 - 05:24 PM Gibb- I've been listening to several of your renditions. You're doing a good job of leading these shanties, lots of energy and spirit. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 08 Mar 09 - 07:12 PM Thanks, folks, for the kind (and merciful!) words. I am limited in my travels at present (mostly by finances, long story), but I do hope to meet up at some point and check youse all out in the flesh. Sinsull: Yep, I'm from (and currently in) Hartford area, however for the better part of the last decade I've been in places like California and India, which explains my missing the Mystic festivals (tho I do plan to go this year). Tom, very kind of you to give a listen. Azizi, thanks for the warm welcome. We can wage wars together, if you like. I do hope you have some like-minded nautical folks to sing with. I can't imagine how else one could sustain personal interest in learning so many sea songs. Hey Charley, I have the regrettable personality type where if I find myself in the company of too many like-minded folks I tend to exit! But more seriously...though I'm brought up in New England, nautical life was not a big part of it. In fact, I experienced a noticeable class and cultural differences between the "coast people" and the kind of people I grew up with. I don't desire to perpetuate any such useless cultural barriers by dwelling on that, but at the personal level I do experience a feeling a bit like I'm coming at this from a "different culture." My approach to chanteys is more as work songs or roots music, which, funny enough, isn't too hard when much of the repertoire (not counting forebitters) doesnt actual say that much about the sea. On the other hand, the world of sailing that I find in chanteys clicks with me more for its cosmopolitanism, travel, diversity, etc. And of course, I am very interested in nautical stuff, it's just that I havent had much occasion so far to indulge in that. RangerSteve, you're very welcome. Gibb |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 19 Sep 09 - 03:43 PM refresh I'm now up to about 205 chanteys, and I've had to create a second playlist to fit them. You may find something interesting. As always, feedback is welcome (one of the nice aspects of YouTube). Thanks all. Gibb Playlist #1 (most of them) Playlist #2 (spillover) |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 19 Sep 09 - 04:06 PM Gibb- You certainly should be given first consideration for any ship needing a shantyman. You lucky dog! You'll die a very wealthy man. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 20 Sep 09 - 09:04 AM Thanks, Charley. Too bad growling and yodeling on old songs is no longer much of a way to get paid! Now, hmm, should I go with a brief resume or an all inclusive CV....? |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Joe_F Date: 20 Sep 09 - 11:51 AM Plentiful opportunities, in your area, for singing chanteys in company can be found here. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: SINSULL Date: 21 Sep 09 - 08:24 AM Check out the Portsmouth Festival thread for this weekend. Friday night is the HUGE shanty sing at the Press Room on Daniel Street to kick off the event. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Dead Horse Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:02 PM Some task you have set for yourself there matey. So far, so good. :-) Not so sure of having the modern day version of The Village People as a chorus, but at least the person in the helmet was a laugh :-)(-: |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Desert Dancer Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:20 PM Here's Joe F's link, fixed: NE Chantey Sings |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 21 Sep 09 - 05:45 PM Some task you have set for yourself there matey. So far, so good. :-) Not so sure of having the modern day version of The Village People as a chorus, but at least the person in the helmet was a laugh :-)(-: Thanks, man, I appreciate your checking it out. ha ha, yeah of course we are being a bit silly...and they were being a bit shy...I'd primed them with a bit of Laphroaig...in general it's near impossible for me to do all these "straight". On a slightly more serious note, one of my goals as stated is to basically respect what I consider to be basic characteristics of chanteys. Although of course it will vary from person to person, I see certain features as potentially variable while others should not be messed with too much -- not as any blind obedience to "tradition," but because those things are what make it what chanteys what they are. So at the same time I want to be flexible with the potentially variable aspects, so that the form can have relevance to the present. That's why I'd rather have the Village People :) singing sincerely as a chorus than the same old warbly biddies that are sometimes native to the established "folk music scene"...and introduce them to something they normally aren't exposed to....without compromising and making it non-chantey pop music. well, it's an attempt, but so far I've had some success reaching different audiences. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Dead Horse Date: 22 Sep 09 - 09:23 AM "....the same old warbly biddies..." Sir, my seconds will be calling on you. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: olddude Date: 22 Sep 09 - 09:26 AM Love it ... thank you |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 22 Sep 09 - 04:03 PM Thanks, olddude. I appreciate that. ******* I wonder if there are any other people around these parts that are or would be interested in making such videos for YouTube? I don't find much in the way of unaccompanied shanties on youtube, that is, videos made expressly for youtube (lots of clips of live performances of shanties are up, from various festivals/concerts). Anyway, I'd like to extend the invitation if anyone is interested in sort of "dialoguing" via the YouTube medium, to post up their renditions. I find a lot of people here tend to be interested in histories and "origins" of shanties, but I am also interested in some of the practical issues of performing shanties in this day and age...that is, based on a fresh look at them, not necessarily what goes on by default at ones local sing-around. Dunno if anyone gets my meaning.... ...we could call it the YouTube "Critics Group," ha ha |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Barry Finn Date: 22 Sep 09 - 04:19 PM You can come up to the Maritime fest in Portsmouth this weekend & video whatever you fancy, you'll have plenty to choose from (I'm sure that if you need a place to stay someone may offer if you ask). I have been following your thread & your videos. I've found it a treat to go to see & hear the shanties I'm familar with in print but not in sound & seeing as I can't read or write music it's been wonderful to get an idea of what the ones I don't know sound like. It's also been a treat to hear your interpertation of the ones that I do know & you've been pretty much on the mark in that reguard. You've done a wonderful job & I believe a great service to those that would like to know more shaties. Barry |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: SaltyWalt Date: 22 Sep 09 - 06:59 PM It is a strange twist of fate that brings me to this page for the first time on the same day that the last post (from Barry) was entered. I think you should high tail it up north too. Say "hi" to Chris for me. I'd love to talk to you more personally about this, drop me a line. The gist is that for the past 30 years, if not the past 50, the natural habitat for the singing of chanteys is in fact the sing along. A significant amount of time when you consider the time frame of them being sung in their original, "Authentic" context. This is not to invalidate the research of their original cultural anthropological / historical backgrounds, but to enhance it. At the very least, when assuming contamination, you must familiarize yourself with the variables of the contamination to recognize when & where they are at work. I think you might be surprised with what you find. I sure was. I had more to say, but I felt like it was me grandstanding on your nickel, and that aint right. I love the work you're doing. Keep it up! Do you take requests? |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 01 Feb 10 - 12:23 PM I thought some people would be interested to know that I have reached the end of the ABRIDGED edition of Hugill's text, having learned and recorded all the examples (*according to my personal methodology, that is). The chantey recordings appear in two playlists: PART 1 PART 2 Thanks to the friends who have helped me record these along the way, and to those who have graciously offered comments. Now, all but one of the chanteys is done. And I am inviting *anyone* to contribute. Please see here. information video I've already received 2 submissions (one included a group of ~10 people) and pledges from several more in various countries. This is all truly amateur ("folk," if you like) performance, so if that is your inclination, welcome! Gibb |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: shipcmo Date: 01 Feb 10 - 12:54 PM Hi, Well, Having done Hugill, you could try Harlow's "Chanteying Aboard American Ships" and/or "Songs The Whalemen Sang" by Huntington. Fair Winds, Geo |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 01 Feb 10 - 03:06 PM Geo, I'm going to try my hand at Hugill's unabridged book, first! That may never happen until I learn how to pronounce Norwegian and Dutch and the like :) If I continue, I may do Harlow (I have already done a few, in drawing contrasts to Hugill's) because I'm really taken by the uniqueness of that book which (in the first part) does not appear to be derivative of others. I am quite interested in whaling ballads, however I don't think Huntington's book merits a systematic treatment. Gibb |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 14 Feb 10 - 05:52 PM Bump in case anyone might want to make a last minute submission to the "final chantey." |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 10 Mar 10 - 10:33 PM The "last" chantey is now finished! The Anglesey, end of SfSS You might recognize some Mudcatters in dere. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: katlaughing Date: 10 Mar 10 - 11:53 PM I missed this whole thread. Thanks for bringing it back up. Just listening to the last one. Well-done! Thanks, can't wait to listen to more;ambitious project done in a most interesting way! kat |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Lighter Date: 11 Mar 10 - 12:18 AM Congratulations, Gibb! What a finale! You've given shanty singing one of its biggest boosts in years! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: John Minear Date: 11 Mar 10 - 07:19 AM Gibb, this is just great! I like how you bring the whole world together for this. Your project is important, unique and very helpful to those of us who want to know and experience more of what this music is all about. I am glad to know that it is definitely ongoing. I think the idea of bringing alive printed versions of songs is really important. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:22 AM Gibb- That's a wonderful video, and a whole lot of good work with regard to the entire project. So when are you planning to get some "hands on" experience sailing? I understand there's a three-skys'l-yarder looking for just a few more hands down at the South Street docks; her mate's a bastard and the bosun's worse but she will suit you fine! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Artful Codger Date: 11 Mar 10 - 05:34 PM Is it named "The Campañero"? |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:29 PM Well, it's not named the "Titanic"! Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 11 Mar 10 - 09:12 PM Thanks, guys, you're great and I could not have done it without the resource of Mudcat discussions. --Gibb Art, The Campañero |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: katlaughing Date: 11 Mar 10 - 11:21 PM Gibb, after youtube loads and says "done," I just get a black screen with no movement, no playing, when I click on your link. I checked another youtube video which played okay for me, so I don't think it is my system. Anyone else have trouble getting it to load? Thanks |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Peter Kasin Date: 11 Mar 10 - 11:32 PM Gibb, thanks for ruining my life. Now I'll never go off your YouTube, clips, only to send this message. My friends don't recognized me since I haven't shaved or got a haircut since I started watching, I haven't had a decent meal, only answering the door for pizza deliveries, and got fired from my job. Thanks alot, pal :-). |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Mr Happy Date: 23 Mar 10 - 10:51 AM mange? |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 23 Mar 10 - 05:16 PM Here's a transcription of one of the most ancient sea songs, back to the age of Henry VI (1421-1471) which focuses on the plight of passengers from the sailor's point of view: Bestowe the boote, Bote-swayne, anon, That our plygryms may pley thereon; For som ar lyke to cowgh and grone, Or hit be full mydnyght. Hale the bowelyne! Now vere the shete! Cooke, make redy anoone our mete, Our plygrymes have no lust to ete, I pray God give him rest! Translation: Tidy up the ship directly, bosun, so that our pilgrims may relax, for some will probably be sick and groaning before midnight; haul on the bowline, slacken the sheet, cook prepare our meal shortly; our pilgrims have no wish to eat, poor things,; I pray God will give them a good night's rest. From a manuscript in the Trinity College Library, reprinted in MUSIC OF THE SEA, edited by David Proctor, published by National Maritime Museum, London, UK, © 1992, p. 51. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Lighter Date: 23 Mar 10 - 07:48 PM Actually there's much more to the poem than that, Charley: http://books.google.com/books?id=o3o4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA262&dq=%22bestowe+the+boote%22&as_brr=3&cd=5#v=onepage&q=%22bestowe%20the%20boote%22&f=false Go to p.261 if the link doesn't take you directly to it. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 24 Mar 10 - 10:39 AM Lighter- You are correct: much, much more! Thanks for the headache. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 24 Mar 10 - 01:20 PM Lighter- Here's the whole thing, assuming I didn't get lost in the footnotes: A Pilgrimage by Sea to Compostella The manuscript containing this poem has been ascribed to the time of Henry VI (1422-1471). It is here printed from Furnivall's edition of The Stations of Rome (E.E.T.S. No. 25), pp. 261-264. Men may leve alle gamys (1) That saylen to Seynt Jamys, (2) Ffor many a man hit gramys, (3) When they begyn to sayle; Ffor when they have take the see At Sandwyche (4) or at Wynchylsee, (5) At Brystow, (6) or where that hit bee, Theyr hertes begyn to fayle. Anone the mastyr commaundeth fast To hys shypmen, in alle the hast, (7) To dresse (8) hem sone about the mast, Theyr takelyng to make; With 'Howe! Hissa!' then they cry; 'What, howe! mate, thow stondyst to (9) ny, Thy felow may nat hale (10) the (11) by'; Thus they begyn to crake. (12) A boy or tweyn anone upstyen, (13) And overthwart the sayle-yerde lyen. 'Y how! taylia!' the remenaunt cryen, And pulle with alle theyr myght. 'Bestowe (14) the boote, (15) boteswayne, anon, That our pylgryms may pley theron; For som ar lyke to cowgh and grone Or (16) hit be full mydnyght.' 'Hale the bowelyne! (17) now, vere the shete!' Cooke, make redy anoon our mete; Our pylgryms have no lust to ete, I pray God yeve hem rest.' 'Go to the helm! what, howe! no nere!' (18) 'Steward, felow, a pot of bere!' Ye shalle have, sir, with good chere, Anon alle of the best.' 'Y howe! trussa! hale in the brayles! (19) Tliow halyst nat, be God, thow fayles!' O se howe wellc owre good shyp sayles!' And thus they say among. 'Hale in the wartake!' (20) 'Hit shal be done.' 'Steward, cover the boorde anone, And set bred and salt therone, And tary nat to long!' Then cometh oone and seyth: Be mery, Ye shall have a storme or a pery.' (21) 'Holde thow thy pese! thow canst no whery, (22) Thow medlyst wondyr sore.' Thys menewhyle (23) the pylgryms ly, And have theyr bowlys fast theym by, And cry aftyr hote malvesy: (24) 'Thow helpe for to restore.' And som wold have a saltyd tost, (25) Ffor they myght ete neyther sode (26) ne rost; A man myght sone pay for theyr cost, As for oo day or twayne. Som layde theyr bookys on theyr kne, And rad (27) so long they myght nat se. 'Allas, myne hede wolle cleve on thre!' Thus seyth another certayne. Then commeth owre owner, lyke a lorde, And speketh many a royall worde, And dresseth hym to the hygh horde, To see alle thyng be welle. Anone he calleth a carpentere, And byddyth hym bryng with hym hys gere. (28) To make the cabans here and there, With many a febylle (29) celle. A sak of strawe were there ryght good, Ffor som must lyge theym in theyr hood; I had as lef (30) be in the wood, Without[e] mete or drynk. For when that we shall go to bedde, The pumpe is (31) nygh oure beddes hede; A man were as good to be dede As smell therof the stynk. Notes: 1. put aside all mirth, 2. Santiago de Compostella, in the province of Galicia, in northwestern Spain, 3. distresses, 4. north of Dover, 5. southwest of Dover, in Sussex, 6. Bristol, 7. all haste, 8. make ready, 9. too, 10. haul, 11. thee, 12. call aloud, 13. ascend, 14. dispose, 15. boat, l6. ere, 17. a rope made fast to the middle part of the outside of a sail, l8. nearer (no closer to the wind?), 19. small ropes fastened to the edges of sails, 20. ?, 21. squall, 22. ?, 23. in the meantime, 24. malmsey, 25. toast , 26 anything boiled, 27. read (?), 28. tools,, 29. slightly built, 30. lie , 31. MS. was Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Flashmeister Date: 25 Mar 10 - 08:58 AM What an epic feat, I am truly in awe! The videos are great! The session I run here in the UK always seems to finish on a rousing version of John Kanaka - you can't beat a good shanty to get the whole room going! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: mikesamwild Date: 25 Mar 10 - 09:49 AM Thanks for the compendium! I was first alerted by a friend who sent me a link cos you look quite like one of my son's.. Now he is weird but it's comic books not shanties!:) I had got my old Hugill book out looking for more words to 'Doodle let me go (Yellow girls)'which i sang at a Sheffield session a few weeks ago but your collection has sent me back to shanties I haven't sung since I was a lad in the 50s. Not on a ship I must add just as a keen fan of Topic Records and a singer of 'girl pulling shanties' in the newly emerging folk clubs.! How simple life was back then. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: mikesamwild Date: 27 Mar 10 - 10:25 AM The more I think about it the more I'm convinced there must have been crossover from songs, dance tunes and work songs. That instance of sailors in a pub insulting others from another ship and town with a shanty based song. A good phrase from a song could be lifted and shanties are rapid off the top compositions that could be relished off watch and polished by individuals or in a sing around. It's like jokes in a pub they throw up little nuggets that get taken up, or new catch phrases or new words in street culture. The concertina was massively popular at sea from the 1850s to the 1900s, and though there are no cases of shnaties sung to them (Dan Worrall's new book) the new wealth tunes that they brought into the sailor community at sea or on shore woud lodge. 4/4 rhythm of polkas and reels is more conducive to work than 6/8 jig time or bouncy hornpipes in 2/4 , which we know were popular as step dances on board or ashore. A friend of mine who is a DJ and World Music fan commented that in African based music there is little 6/8 , Irish style stuff. I don't know but in pop and rock that seems to be so. I'm going back to Hugill to check this out. The spontainity of shanties reminds me of football chants with new ones drawn from a repertoire of stock phrases and tunes old and new , insults and jeers, and back and forth 'rapping' I remember once on a Morris tour we were on the bus with Newcastle Kingsmen and they sang , to the tune of Row the Old Chariot Ashore -'Newcastle Kingsman walk on water'. Quick as a flash and as from nowhere but an individual's inspiration we bellowed out 'That just proves that shit can float.' Collapse of stout party we won! I like those sneaky little digs at the mate or the 'massah' in some of those shanties and work songs by slaves or poor folk. Good subversive stuff! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 09 Oct 10 - 09:43 PM This is an update on this project. With this ballad, The Flying Cloud , I have completed the learning and recording of all the English-language songs in Hugill's un-abridged SHANTIES (1961). I don't intend to try to learn all the various other languages to sing the non-English songs. Perhaps I will try to learn a few, but I'd rather put my energy/time elsewhere. To be fair, *most* of the non-English shanties in the text were culled by Hugill from other collections and, though he was quite talented at languages, I don't believe he really knew *that* many of them by heart. (He knew an impressive amount, but not everything!) In any case, I formally invite anyone who has a good grasp of those languages to record versions, which I hope to add to the YouTube playlist. Please contact me here or on YouTube if you're interested. As always, I'd love to hear/see other interpretations of "Hugill's" chanties on YouTube, by which I mean versions performed by people consciously engaging with his text. I welcome those as "video responses." I would like to celebrate this milestone with a tot of rum, but I'm dirt poor and working off a dead horse right now. Perhaps in a month. Gibb, a.k.a. Ranzo, the greenhorn who decided to learn "all" the chanties and become a little less green in the process. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Michael in Swansea Date: 10 Oct 10 - 04:37 AM WOW!!!!! Excellent work. Mike |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: John Minear Date: 10 Oct 10 - 07:04 AM Congratulations, Gibb, on a fine piece of work that just keeps on providing new insights and enjoyment. I'll drink that tot of rum to you, and when we meet up, I'll bring the whole bottle. I'm interested in where you are headed next. J. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Lighter Date: 10 Oct 10 - 09:54 AM Congratulations, Gibb. Don't look, but it's an unprecedented achievement. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 10 Oct 10 - 10:24 AM Gibb- This is indeed an impressive achievement. I look forward to your next session at the Mystic Sea Music Festival when you sing 'em all! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 02 Jan 11 - 06:09 AM This is to announce that I am now inviting submissions of non-English language shanties from Hugill, to include as examples in my YouTube playlist. There are some basic rules of engagement: The performance should have something to do with Hugill's text's version. The easiest thing is just to reproduce what appears in his book. In some cases however, it is arguably more authentic to make up one's own verses, delete versus, rearrange, improvise, de-code blue pencilling, etc etc. But if that is done, i ask that it be acknowledged while still engaging what Hugill set down, i.e. with reasons specified for the differences. I would not like a "Well, this is the shanty how *I* learned it" (without considering Hugill) because this is meant to be a critical engagement of Hugill's book and not just replication of now-established / popular versions. In my own attempts at this foreign (for me) language songs, I am basically playing it safe and singing what Hugill wrote! The other "rule" is that these should be unaccompanied / a cappella. So...if anyone would like to do one of the one's I haven't done yet, please get in touch! Of course, you could put it on your own YouTube channel...you don't need my stinkin' restrictions...but for other reasons it might also be fun and rewarding to file it into this 'archive' as part of the larger project. In which case I'd ask you to send me the video and I'll upload it via my channel (giving full credit, of course). I have started to do some of the Low German shanties. I imagine some of the French (I am terrible at it) and Scandinavian (hard pronunciation) ones will give me the most trouble, so those are especially welcome! Gibb aka Ranzo the Greenhorn |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 02 Jan 11 - 10:32 AM Most of the non-English language shanties collected by Hugill are found in his book Songs of the Sea. I've also enjoyed the variety of graphic illustrations that Stan sprinkled through that book and have had fun tracking them down to their sources. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 02 Jan 11 - 04:45 PM In terms of specific numbers, I have counted something like: 5 Welsh 11 French 13 German and Dutch 30 Scandinavian 1 Italian TOTAL = 60 That is only counting distinct "items" -- defined by their having an all-capitals title. There are many more fragments of non-English verse throughout. These are in only the unabridged version of "Shanties..." A number of them did turn up again in _Songs of the Sea_, sometimes edited down. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 06 Feb 11 - 04:55 AM Here's a more official invitation for people to contribute their renditions of the remaining non-English language chanties. VIDEO |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 06 Feb 11 - 09:58 AM Gibb- I'm willing to lead some of the Ethiopian shanties. Of course the only work songs I know from Ethiopia are ones for hauling up false banana trees for transplanting, but they sound like halyard shanties. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 13 Mar 11 - 05:48 PM Bump! 43 chanties left. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: open mike Date: 14 Mar 11 - 02:09 PM i would love to include some of these in my upcoming radio show which will feature 2 hours of shanties and sailing songs....the show will be archived so can be heard at any time....the broadcast will be on Apr. 9 2011 (I would love to get some on a c.d. for including on the show... any one able to burn some for this show?) |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 14 Mar 11 - 04:47 PM open mike-- Sure, you have my permission to play any of them on your show. I don't have any separate "CD quality" audio, however. The audio quality would be just as one hears on YouTube which, without the visual distraction, is sometimes quite bad. But if it works... If you're not sure about a way to download YT videos and get the audio, give me a list of some (say, up to 5) that you want and I'll rip the audio. If and when you decide to go that way, send me a PM. Gibb |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: shipcmo Date: 14 Mar 11 - 06:23 PM Gibb, How about some links to your latest YouTube entries? Cheers, Geo |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 14 Mar 11 - 10:47 PM Latest? It's been non-English language shanties. Low German: De Hoffnung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VTGoqzIWu8 Wat Wi Doht http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sv6JmAuppY De Hamborger Veermaster http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-Ui-c24vxw De Runer von Hamborg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzJ5299_Yv8 Roll The Cotton Down (No den Süden to) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ED9QUt3fhY Magelhan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bd6PEbMrU8 Magelhan (Original) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8vz5vL-Hrg Hu, Hu, Hu! (English version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvQxEHP8mGk High German: Die Gute Alte Brigg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B68VE4TTDpM Es Gingen Drei Mädchen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqFSq0X1org Frisch Auf, Alle Mann an Deck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TJnBmxIEqg Norwegian: Ane Madam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IZRt6jWO0M Go Rowing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFFeiv21mgA Opsang for Preciosa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN6cfwQpSGs Ved Ankerhioning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrEXucSV6DE En Jæger Gik at Jage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkXm2E5KVU8 French: Ali Alo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTcowh7-afA As Tu Connu le Per' Lancelot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-euIVRWsV8 Those are all basically "by the book" since I don't know the languages well enough to improvise. My most recent English-language chanties, from other sources, in which I perform them personally (as a living tradition), are: Shiny O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thCQlZ8cya0 Stand to Your Ground http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh3ty1gGRUM |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 24 Apr 11 - 05:26 AM Latest installments: De Kock (Low German) Das Sampanmädchen (German Pidgin) Upidee, Upidah (B) (German) |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 08 Jun 11 - 01:00 PM Just a note to announce that, a little while back, I reach the milestone of learning/recording ALL the English-language AND all the German (Low and High!) songs/chanties in Hugill's collection. :D |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 08 Jun 11 - 02:36 PM Gibb- So, can you make it to the Mystic Sea Music Festival this year? If so, when do you make port? Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Richard from Liverpool Date: 09 Jun 11 - 05:25 AM Gibb, Can I just say, what I love about the way you're doing this isn't just the fact that it's so complete and encyclopedic (which makes it a very useful resource), but also the way you're doing it in such an uncompromising way, as an unashamedly home made mission, and especially that you're getting all kinds of people singing along with you. You're not just keeping it back for the usual bunch of maritime reenactors, this is a living rendition of a living music. You have a mission to get your passion out to the world and you're willing to cause offence if need be. It's like punk shanty singing, and I love it. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 13 Jun 11 - 02:06 AM Cheers, Richard! Thanks for understanding what I am doing. I would like to see shanties have a "clean slate" so to speak. We have much to be grateful for in the folk revival(s) for keeping interest in shanties alive, however there is also much that has transpired since the demise of shanties that practically compels us to envision them in certain ways. This is my effort from the sidelines to suggest other visions. Say hello to Lime St. for me! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 19 Jul 11 - 04:09 AM Latest installments. Singapor-Sang [566-568] Hamburg, Du Schöne Stadt [564-566] Shiloh Brown [261] En Sjömanvisa från Kinakusten [569-570] Susannavisan (The Susanna Song) [116-117] Goodbye, Fare-Ye-Well (Norwegian) [124-127] Blow, Boys, Blow (Norwegian) [230-231] Julia [392] Blow, Boys, Blow (from Sång under Segel) [230] 34 chanties yet to learn! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 03 Aug 11 - 05:52 AM Now grown to 3 playlists. PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 03 Aug 11 - 09:01 AM Gibb- I didn't realize you were working up banjo accompaniment as well ("Go to Sea Once More"). That can be great fun even if the song is a dirge! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 03 Aug 11 - 04:03 PM Hey, Charley, That's the first one I recorded (and quite embarrassing)! It was before I started to do this as a "project." ...at which time I decided that any "true" shanties would be done without accompaniment, ha! The only other banjo ones are "Roll, Bullies, Roll" and "Blow Ye Winds." |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 03 Aug 11 - 08:02 PM Gibb- Working up an Irish style accompaniment with the 4-string banjo is still a nice thing to try with a lot of sea songs. I always loved the mandolin accompaniment for "The Handsome Cabin Boy" as recorded on Blow Boys Blow. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: DrugCrazed Date: 04 Aug 11 - 06:45 PM Part of me wants to do a folk song style project like this (I'm doing 30 Song A Day at the moment), so hats off to ye. I think a post uni (or last year of uni) project will be |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 11 Aug 11 - 02:41 PM Latest installments: Supen Ut, En Dram På Man Svineper Pumpe-vise Den Gamla Briggen |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:28 AM Installments to the Swedish series. Skonnert Albertina [327-328] Min Mand Han Var En Sjömand [529-530] |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 18 Aug 11 - 05:17 PM Hey DrugCrazed, Can you direct us to a link to your project? Thanks! Gibb |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 03 Sep 11 - 04:47 AM Reuben Ranzo (Swedish) [243-244] Det Blåser Kallt, Kallt Väder Ifrån Sjön [543-545] |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 17 Sep 11 - 04:36 PM Latest installments. Hourra, Mes Boués, Hourra! [137-138] Et Nous Irons à Valparaiso (Goodbye, Farewell - French) [129-130] |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 02 Oct 11 - 05:14 AM 2 more down: Rosabella Fredolin (Swedish) [216-219] Haul Away, Old Fellow, Away (French) [362-363] |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 15 Oct 11 - 08:08 PM Recent entries: La Margot [398-400] Där Gingo Tre Flickor [393-395] Passant Par Paris [414-416] |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 02 Nov 11 - 07:59 AM New editions. Halarvisa [426-427] Le Grand Coureur [422-424] |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 22 Nov 11 - 01:08 AM Poppin' fresh. Å Kom Till Mig På Lördag Kvall [427-428] Jean François de Nantes [446-448] Quand la Boiteuse Va-t-au Marché [514-515] |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 22 Nov 11 - 10:39 AM Gibb- Keep 'em, rolling! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 22 Nov 11 - 03:39 PM 15 more to go!...unfortunately most are Swedish songs that don't stick in my brain. BTW, I've not yet mentioned my new blog here. It's the next go 'round the hermeneutic circle. Going through the chanteys now in order they come in SfSS, adding fresh info and understanding (or at least, attempts to understand). Wild Chants with Doggerel Words (blog) |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: GUEST,Mr Red Date: 24 Nov 11 - 05:19 AM Dare I mention William Main Doerflinger Cached YouTube page ? I can't look at YouTube here (hope it works) and I don't have my copy of the book to hand. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 07 Dec 11 - 06:09 PM Two more chanties down: La Danaé [515-517] Skeppet Bernadotte [469-470] |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 08 Dec 11 - 08:15 AM Nothing new or old from here in the West Indies. Time to return north to share the latest blizzard. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 10 Dec 11 - 05:07 AM Be sure to share your adventures with us, Charley! safe travels, Gibb |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 07 Jan 12 - 04:35 AM Been trying to finish these, hoping to get a countdown from the last ten, but more I hadn't noticed (and fragments) keep popping up! Well, here are some of the latest: Sicilian: Brindisi di Marinai Swedish: O Du Glade Sjöman Farväl, Farväl, Förtjusande Mö |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Big Al Whittle Date: 08 Jan 12 - 04:39 AM Wareham Whalers Durlston castle (Swanage) January 21stSaturday Shanty Workshops and Concert £6 |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Big Al Whittle Date: 09 Jan 12 - 10:49 AM refresh |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 12 Jan 12 - 03:54 PM En Ung Sjöman Förlustar Sig Vi Styrte Ut Över Atlanten |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: The Sandman Date: 12 Jan 12 - 04:58 PM Fastnet maritime festival june 15 16 17, Ballydehob, Dick Miles,Jimmy Crowley, Baggyrinkle Shanty Singers, and many morehttps://sites.google.com/site/thefastnetmaritimeandfolkfest/ Guests booked so far Jimmy Crowley Baggyrinkle Swansea Shantymen Trim Rig and a Doxy Andrew Mackay and Carole Etherton Dave and Helen Howard Dessi Redmond Dick Miles Rattlesnake County Free Spirit Devil's Water Henk Voss Compass Point Verna Connelly Capstan Full Strength Andy Kenna Hexham Morris dancers |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: GUEST,Nick E Date: 12 Jan 12 - 07:50 PM wow, a true labor of love. Tainted love perhaps but still an amazing effort. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 15 Jan 12 - 03:25 PM Syng Höit Faleri Skön Jungfrun Hon Gångar Sig Till Högsta Berg |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: GUEST Date: 17 Jan 12 - 03:25 PM Amazing! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 21 Jan 12 - 05:14 AM The archives are now arranged in 5 parts, with the contents corresponding to the parts of Hugill's book. PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 PART 5 |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 25 Jan 12 - 02:27 AM Chanties! Ej Bör Vi Sörja, Ej Bör Vi Klaga Opsang For Jonas Anton Hjelm Siste Reis Det Hände Sig i Göteborg |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 25 Jan 12 - 07:35 AM "High enough! Vast heaving!" Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 25 Jan 12 - 10:53 PM Just a few more "swigs," Charley! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: John Minear Date: 26 Jan 12 - 06:52 AM More canvas! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: GUEST,Ian Date: 26 Jan 12 - 07:31 AM 100 |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 26 Jan 12 - 08:00 AM "Lift up the top sheet and spanker!" Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 28 Jan 12 - 02:56 AM My first two attempts at Welsh chanties... Mochyn Du Hob-Y-Derri(n)-Dando |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:33 AM Kinda sorta almost done. A couple more. Rownd yr Horn Champagne Charlie (Whisky Ranzo) |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: GUEST,FloraG Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:59 AM Hi Shantyfolks. My husband has a good voice for shanties, but sometimes were in a situation that the audiece don't know about joining in. so I suggested accompanying a few on the melodeon. We did drunken Sailor at the gig on tuesday and that worked well. Can you suggests a few other shanties that work well with accompaniement - especially on a basic melodeon averagely well played. FloraG |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Les from Hull Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:43 PM I do Bold Riley with the box but not in full shanty style. Using the box moves a shanty away from a 'real' shanty into being an accompanied song, but there's nowt wrong with that. 'Leave her Johnny' also works pretty well. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 10 Feb 12 - 03:28 AM FloraG, Hugill's collections contains most of the chanties we know to have existed. The good thing about my archive is that you can get a quick sense of what they all sound like--even if you don't care for my renditions. Just start one of the playlists and you can click through/forward to each new one after sampling the first few seconds. Bookmark the ones that sound do-able, then work up your own rendition! cheers 'Ranzo' |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 30 Mar 12 - 04:18 AM These are the very last chanties I have recorded, for a final completion of the project. Marching Through Georgia Maryland, My Maryland Donkey Riding I am going to continue recording chanties now and them, so of which will be "re-studies" that reflect my current style or interpretations, others of which will be chanties not contained in Hugill's tome. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 30 Mar 12 - 07:57 AM Gibb- Congratulations on completing this ambitious project! So do you remember all the lyrics or do you use a cheat-sheet? Will you make it to Mystic this year? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 30 Mar 12 - 03:57 PM Thanks, Charley! I don't remember all the lyrics I've ever learned in the past. They were all memorized at one point! However, if it is a song that requires specific lyrics (e.g. ballad type) they are quickly refreshed. Otherwise if it is a typical chanty, remembering some and improvising the rest is good enough! My attitude towards memorizing all those lyrics was to learn a "language" of sorts or to create a reservoir in the brain, on which I can draw when singing in the traditional improvised format. We all do this as we sing the many chanties, but this was perhaps more comprehensive and structured way of doing it. Mystik is yet a Mystery. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: ChanteyLass Date: 31 Mar 12 - 12:36 AM I hope to see you at Mystic this year or in the near future. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 01 Jul 12 - 05:45 AM Well, having finished the Shanties from the Seven Seas chanties, I am continuing to learn and record songs. Occasionally I am adding more current interpretations of the ones I'd done previously, and then just adding them to the playlists as "supplements." But the more interesting thing I'm doing is beginning to record and compile chanties that were not included in Hugill's volume. The goal, I suppose, is to cover all the known chanties. So, I've started a new playlist: Other Chanties and Sailor Songs I'm also just using the playlist as a place for non-chanty sailor songs that I occasionally might do. Here's a list of what's there so far. Rosabella (Caribbean version) We're All Surrounded (cotton-screwing chanty) Sun Down Below (chanty) John John Crow Lindy Lowe Slapandergosheka Shiny O Stand to Your Ground (from Whall) Christopher Columbo Dom Pedro The Leaving of Liverpool (ugh, hate this one!) Chicken on a Raft (a funky experiment) Paddy Works on the Railway (fiddle-me version) Old Maui (just something I'd sung chorus on a while back) Talcahuano Gals Boston Grog Time o' Day (Caribbean rowing song, early 19th century) |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Charley Noble Date: 01 Jul 12 - 06:53 AM Gibb- Don't neglect "Wake Up Susiana": click here for lyrics and MP3 Sample! I believe that I'm the only one who has sung that shanty in decades. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: ChanteyLass Date: 01 Jul 12 - 07:23 PM Oh, my! Gibb, you have been busy! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Sailor Ron Date: 02 Jul 12 - 12:01 PM Whilst I think 'Chicken on a raft' is a great song, you can hardley call it a shanty[not much call for a shanty on an A Class submarine]! |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 02 Jul 12 - 03:01 PM Ron-- That's why I've put the note "a funky experiment"!! ...and why the playlist is a dumping space for my odds and ends: "...and other sailor songs"! What actually happened is that one of my viewers on YouTube made the request that I do "Chicken on a Raft." I wasn't too keen on it, because my focus is traditional songs and especially shanties. But I also like the interactive side of things, and decided to honor the request with a compromise: I adapted the song so that it had a form and rhythm that was conducive to a chanty. So...while it is not a shanty in the sense of belonging to the documented repertoire of songs that were used for work, it is in the tradition of adapting songs for the purpose. |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 02 Jul 12 - 09:58 PM Thanks for the parody shanty, Charley! Now who was it that I heard had sung "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" at the halyards? |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 04 Jul 12 - 07:26 PM Latest additions: I Love the Blue Mountains Javanese chanteys Ring Down Below |
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Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page From: Gibb Sahib Date: 15 Jul 12 - 08:54 PM Latest: Drive Her Captain (Caribbean chanty) The Bosun's Story Nancy Lee Doo Me Ama The Priest and the Nuns Adieu to Maimuna |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: ChrisJBrady Date: 22 Jul 12 - 04:54 PM Better than YouTube - British Pathe archives ... http://www.britishpathe.com/video/captains-as-deck-hands/query/shanty http://www.britishpathe.com/video/windjammer-shots/query/shanty Also see http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/windjammer http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/shanty |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 10 Aug 12 - 03:53 PM I made it a mission this summer to learn "all" of the chanties in F.P. Harlow's book. That is, all the chanty repertoire that I had not learned previously (e.g. that was not in Hugill's collection). The goal, at this point, was not to render each of Harlow's unique versions. If I had already done a song, say, "Rio Grande"—in whatever version—I did not learn Harlow's specific form. (Although, in the past when Hugill presented many textual variants with just one melody, I did sometimes utilize Harlow's melodies.) So what I was after here was just catching up on all the repertoire items not previously done. These included anything that Harlow indicated was a chanty. In learning them, however, I discovered that several songs mysteriously labeled as such were probably not chanties. It's not always clear why Harlow claimed they were. These are the remainder of items not already posted. They may not provide much entertainment value, but I hope they have some reference value for others exploring these lesser-known songs/variants, and they certainly had educational value for me in that I got a better sense of how Harlow cobbled together those last, funny sections of the book. "Japanese Short Drag" Darkie Sunday School Married to a Mermaid Dixie's Isle Aboard the Henry Clay It's Advertised in Boston The Greenland Whale |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: ChanteyLass Date: 10 Aug 12 - 10:00 PM You have been busy! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 08 Sep 12 - 05:05 PM Working on fragments and scattered versions... Nancy Rhee Rolling Down to Old Mohee Ho, O, Heave O Bound for South Australia (Hatfield) Way Down Low "Black although she be" "...wherever we might go" Tramp, Tramp, Tramp Walk Along Rosey |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 08 Sep 12 - 06:49 PM Great work, Gibb, particularly on "Ho Heave Ho" and "Black although she Be." |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 09 Sep 12 - 03:18 PM Thanks for the listen! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 27 Oct 12 - 01:49 AM Blow High, Blow Low Highland Day Unmooring |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Charley Noble Date: 27 Oct 12 - 08:55 AM How about "Windy Old Weather," to go along with the current storm sweeping up the East coast? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: John Minear Date: 06 Dec 12 - 12:05 PM Here is a very fine version of "Mr. Stormalong" by Gibb. The instrumental piece that follows is very interesting as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTM9xGSMR5A |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 07 Dec 12 - 05:25 PM Ha! Thanks, John! I think the navy caps were the only clue for people of what I was singing, in this context. "to me way, you storm along/ hai hai hai mr. storm along" is not the most easily parsed chorus for people who have never heard it before! Gibb, stuck in dry dock in the Inland Empire. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 09 Jan 13 - 12:35 AM Some of my singing at Mystic Sea Music festival, which is better representative of what I'd do "live" as opposed to what I do for the YouTube project: Roll and Go/Long Time Ago A Hundred Years Ago (shout outs to Rev Carr, John Minear, Charlie Ipcar, Salty Walt, Barry Finn, Rachel+Jeff) Shiny O Thanks to ShantyMart (Florida) for recording/uploading! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: ChanteyLass Date: 09 Jan 13 - 05:22 PM Great Job. Lots of fun watching and remembering. Your versions of A Hundred Years Ago are the reason I'll never reintroduce myself to you until after you've sung that song. I'm afraid of what you would rhyme with ChanteyLass! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 13 Jan 13 - 03:48 PM ChanteyLass-- I'd say you're first class! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: ChanteyLass Date: 13 Jan 13 - 08:41 PM Aw, shucks! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 14 Jan 13 - 03:26 AM Continuing to explore the chanty repertoire... Trying out some of the less-common Carpenter Collection items. Pull Down Below (went to church, went to chapel) Hoist Her Up from Down Below Here We Come Home in a Leaky Ship Haul Away Rosy, Rosy Haul Down in Those Valleys |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 20 Jan 13 - 04:59 AM London Julie Mommy-O Mind How You Swing Your Tail All for the Grog |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: John Minear Date: 20 Jan 13 - 08:33 AM These last four have been particularly good, and the notes are worth the read. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 20 Jan 13 - 09:42 AM Nice performances and really fascinating notes for us pedants. I heard Page's words as follows: How can I row the boat ashore without a paddle or an oar? Because I am a young thing so lately left my mummy-o. Mummy-o! daddy-o! Lately left my mummy-o! I cannot row the boat ashore without a paddle or an oar. Because I am a young thing so lately left my mummy-o. He sings it twice, but the final line is missing the second time through. Definitely "mummy," not "mommy." Shantiers: Page clearly sings possessive "my," not "me"! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 20 Feb 13 - 01:04 PM Fresh batch of less-common items: Fire Down Below (Wm. Fender) Louisiana Belle Juba, Mind the Bee Fire Away, Lilly, Come Down Below A-Humble Lee Fire Down Below (Sir Walter Scott?) Go Down Below, You Pretty Girls John's a Rookey Ookey Hoojin John / Mary's on the Island Kizee Makazee Ya (chanty) Victoria, Very Well Done, Jim Crow |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Lighter Date: 20 Feb 13 - 03:30 PM Here's how I hear Dwyer's "Louisiana Belle": Beefsteaks when you're hungry, Whisky when you're dry, Greenbacks when you're hard up, Sweet heaven when you die! Oh, the new road, a railroad, A river or canal; My love she is a kicker A Lou'siana belle! When I wake up in the mornin', And I look up in the sky, And I hear the n*****s roarin', Oh, how is that for high? Oh, a railroad, a steamboat, A river or canal; My love she is a kicker, A Lou'siana belle! It's hard to understand. Am least sure about "kicker." |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 20 Feb 13 - 04:24 PM Lighter, thanks! I personally can live with not knowing lots of the mystery word, except for one: "kicker"! I'm afraid that doesn't mean much to me. Does it make much sense to you, Lighter, or is it just what you're hearing? I did/do also hear "kicker," but it didn't scan for me meaning-wise, so I had to throw in my lot with "keeper" and do some rationalizing to let the rest make sense! That we both seem to agree on the phrase "Lou'siana belle" is some progress, at least! The currently available Carpenter materials have it filed as something like "Lucy Anna", which works a bit as a red herring, I think. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 21 Feb 13 - 09:39 PM Lighter -- Any interest in more Carpenter recording deciphering -- check out the thread on "My Old Bandoliero." I believe I may have added a few clues to the lyrics of a tough-to-decipher song sung by Mark Page and variously listed as "I put my hand upon her toe" and "Victorio". More on the subject of this thread!: I've taken the liberty already of filling in gaps and rationalizing to create a rendition of the M. Page song -- "What is That My Dearie-O?" |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Lighter Date: 22 Feb 13 - 08:06 AM Gibb, some years ago I transcribed all the songs on the Carpenter CDs. A few were close to impossible but for scattered phrases. Will check "Victorio." |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Lighter Date: 22 Feb 13 - 09:55 PM James Dwyer: I put me hand unto her toe, Very well done, Jim Cro-o-ow! Victoria, Victoria, Very well done Jim Crow! She said young man, you're goin' low, Very well done, Jim Cro-o-ow! Victoria, Victoria, Very well done Jim Crow! I put my hand unto her knee, Very well done, Jim Cro-o-ow! Victoria, Victoria, Very well done Jim Crow! She said young man, now let it be, Very well done, Jim Cro-o-ow! Victoria, Victoria, Very well done Jim Crow!. Belay! Andrew Salters, Greenock: Victorio! Victorio! Come villy villy vinkum wawkin doe! Victorio! Victorio! Victorio! Bam bam! (This sounds like "mouth music" of some kind, or else something based on Dutch or German or the like.) Mark Page, Sunderland: I put my hand upon her toe. What is this my dearie-o? That is my toe-tapper My own fa-derry-o. I put my hand upon her knee. What is that my dearie-o? That is my knee-knapper. My only own fa-derry-o. I put my hand upon her [heart?] What is that my dearie-o? She says young man you're going low, Coor da vassa my fa-derry-o. I put my hand upon her pussy What is this my dearie-o? She says it is my soft pincushion My own fa-derry-o. Sounds like Page was mixing up two styles or two songs: one the straight-out "hand upon.../ she says young man" and the other the "Gently Johnny My Jingalo" "toe-tapper,etc." business. The "going low" line is clearly out of order. The recording is extremely hard to decipher, but to my ear the above is substantially correct (including "pussy" and "pincushion"). I can't guess what "coor da vassa" might represent. This song really has nothing to do with the first two, whose "Victorio" connection is problematic anyway. Harvard's copyright prevents me from posting another 3-stz. version from JMC's doctoral dissertation that also came from Salters - but it is very similar to Dwyer's! The "chorus" of Dwyer's version appears in H. J. Webber's "Voyagers Companion and Adviser" (1885) with the sarcastic note, "very patriotic." There's another, unrelated stanza in the "Christian Science Journal" (Feb., 1888). The pulp writer Captain A. E. Dingle (of Bermuda) mentions the same chorus in 1935, with comment that the song was sung mostly by East Indiamen "half a century ago." |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Snuffy Date: 25 Feb 13 - 08:46 AM Salter's refrain is very similar to those in the German Doktor Eisenbart (and in the English translations thereof). |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Lighter Date: 25 Feb 13 - 09:27 AM Brilliant, Snuffy! Some of the "Eisenbart" refrains even sound like "Victorio/a"! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 25 Feb 13 - 11:49 AM Thanks for sharing your transcriptions, Lighter! I was mainly curious to see what you thought about the Mark Page song (which I don't think belongs with "Victoria" at all - the Folktrax compilers just labeled it such), and whether my suggestion of a connection to "My Old Bandoliero" could add anything to it. Thanks for the others as well. Good to hear some more about "Victoria," too, and thanks for making that "Doctor Eisenbart" connection, Snuffy! If you guys haven't yet seen/heard the Swedish versions, I will just note that they have the chorus just like "Eisenbart." This is indeed why I wondered in my YouTube notes whether these Scandinavian (/German) forms were imitations of an un-scannable English chorus of vise versa. (Links to renditions of these can be found by searching this thread under "Halarvisa" and "Kom till mig".) |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 04 Mar 13 - 03:17 AM More studies... Poor Little Liza Eliza, Don't Say So Hilo Johnnie Hilo |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Snuffy Date: 04 Mar 13 - 10:43 AM According to the online index Carpenter believed Victorio to be of Scandinavian origin: his note states 'A Danish Chantey, very good one.' Incidentally, I have two competing theories about who (or what) Victorio was. Initially I identified an Apache chief of that name who was hunted down and "neutralised" in the 1880s by the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry. This led me to surmise that "very well done, Jim Crow" might be praising these black regiments However, I subsequently found the following in Wikipedia which might push the origin of the song back a further 40 years. Thomas Dartmouth Rice's successful song-and-dance number, "Jump Jim Crow," brought blackface performance to a new level of prominence in the early 1830s. At the height of Rice's success, The Boston Post wrote, "The two most popular characters in the world at the present are [Queen] Victoria and Jim Crow."[12]. Both seem possible: any opinions? |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Lighter Date: 04 Mar 13 - 01:20 PM Clever detecting, Snuffy. I feel, however, that the conjunction of the Apache Victorio and "Jim Crow" is coincidental. The reason is that however appealing the story of Apaches vs. "Buffalo Soldiers" might be to us, the "Victorio Campaign" in New Mexico wasn't prominent enough in the news nationally (or internationally) to result in a sea shanty. It was a given that the U.S. army was constantly fighting Indians on the "Great American Desert," and except for a sensational event like the Little Big Horn, not much newsprint was devoted to it other than locally. On the other hand, Thomas Rice's "Jim Crow" minstrel performance really was an international smash and was popular for many years. My guess is that the shanty refers to the "Jim Crow" stage character, and the "Victoria" is the Queen. If there really is a Danish connection, the pronunciation "Victorio" may reflect non English speakers singing the name out with an "-aw" rather than an "-ah." Compare "Santy Anna" and "Santy Anno." If the shanty arose only in 1880, it would be surprising that Carpenter stumbled upon a couple of elderly seamen who knew it, while Hugill and other collectors appear never to have encountered it. In other words, its vogue may have been quite early. As usual, nothing is provable here, but I doubt very much that sailors in either Britain or North America had enough interest in either the Apache Victorio or the "Buffalo Soldiers" to make a song about them. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 04 Mar 13 - 02:44 PM I realize I may be making a gross assumption, but my feeling has been that the TD Rice "Jim Crow" connection was so likely (if not "obvious," for those familiar with it) that it could go almost without saying. That being said, while I believe the "Jim Crow" is a trope that originates with Daddy Rice, its occurrence in this specific song doesn't clinch any particular origin. At this point, I think English speaking singers could have slapped on "Jim Crow" (i.e. the floating phrase of minstrelsy) as a way of rationalizing incomprehensible or nonsense Swedish. Just as the nonsense in the Swedish versions could have been a way of dealing with the unfamiliar "jim crow." Given the Swedish (/Danish, accord. to Carpenter) and German connections, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a bit more that can be said about the song after exploring those channels. Sternvall (the Swedish chanty collection editor) attributed one version to 1875. On the level of text -- that is, ignoring the issue of what was historically and culturally likely -- *I* think it may be easiest to imagine the song starting off as a a Scandinavian or German one. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Lighter Date: 04 Mar 13 - 07:20 PM Dingle's version appeared some years earlier in the Saturday Evening Post (Oct. 7, 1922). That would place it back into the 1870s, at least in his opinion. Of greater significance is a song in F. C. Burnand's one-act "Venus and Adonis" (London: Lacy,[?1864]), p. 14 to the "Air, Werry well done, Jim Crow." Jupiter sings: A bachelor's life is very nice Werry well without JunO! Before I'd marry I'd think twice, Werry well without JunO! Uproarious and glorious, And werry well without JunO-O-O! Uproarious and glorious, And werry well without JunO! There's more, but that's the gist of it. Burnand included a second parody of "Werry well done, Jim Crow" later in 1864 in his burleaque "Snow-Drop" (London: Lacy). "Werry" suggests a Cockney song, but it might just as easily have been lame "n***** dialect." I haven't found any trace of the original. song. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Lighter Date: 04 Mar 13 - 08:02 PM Go here and listen to Ewan MacColl describing shanties briefly to an audience in October, 1953: http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/61808/3 He claims that editors removed not only all the obscenity (which he implies was the usual subject of shanties) and (rather oddly, even for a Marxist) all references to hard work. The same excellent site has him singing a few shanties, evidently at the same recording session. (His intro to "Paddy Doyle" combines Doyle with Paddy West.) MacColl already has traces of the "Hugill style," or so it seems to me. If so, the question is where he got it from. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Snuffy Date: 05 Mar 13 - 08:58 AM Werry well done, Jim Crow is obviously cast in the same mould as Dr Eisenbart which Wikipedia dates as "around 1800". The chorus of the lyrics quoted on the German Wikipedia are Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt juchheirassa!Although it does not specifically state that these are the original words, it seems likely that Victoria was already in the song long before either the future Queen or Jim Crow were born. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Lighter Date: 05 Mar 13 - 09:46 AM > it seems likely that Victoria was already in the song The *German* song. What would be of some interest would be the pre-1865 lyrics of "Werry well done, Jim Crow" and knowledge of when it appeared. Surely Burnand was not referring to the shanty itself, which seems to have been both scandalous and known to few play-goers. |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 14 Mar 13 - 04:26 AM New chanty videos. [Walk Along, You] Saucy Anna Tiddy-I-O Tally-i-o, You Know Diana Hey, Diana Ho Down Below (Sandfly Marriage) |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 29 Mar 13 - 05:00 PM The mix is getting eclectic as I pick on bits and bobs. The famous Civil War era tune... Johnny, Fill Up the Bowl Roustabout song... Oh, Annie, Oh! A chanty from Trinidad... Heave Her Away, Miss Nancy O And from the Great Lakes... The Ward Line (I've needed to do lots of overdubbing in audio rather than video software in order to get the "overlapping call and response" effect, hence the sometimes strange B-roll visuals.) |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: ChanteyLass Date: 29 Mar 13 - 10:00 PM I hope Mudcat's Mainers hear this and read the info you posted on YouTube! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 03 Apr 13 - 02:32 PM Thanks, ChanteyLass! *** Couple new ones (+ more unusual meerschaum pipes): Uncharacteristically syncopated (maybe, Calypso-like) Juliana This is closest to the familiar "Same Gone Away [aboard a Man o' War]" Tom Gone Away |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 08 Apr 13 - 04:46 AM From the Great Lakes: In a Handy Four-master From Anguilla: We All Goin' Ashore |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 15 Apr 13 - 04:03 AM The familiar song, re-visiting the sources... Strike the Bell Some unfamiliar Anguilla songs... Dio, the Tree Fall Down Sundown, I'm Goin' Home One of my least favorite chanties (!) Bounty Was a Packet Ship And a sweet Samoan chorus Tofa Mai Feleni |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 29 Apr 13 - 06:29 AM Some fresh work-songs, sailor items, and lotsa pipes from the collection. From Anguilla: Tom Gone Away Haul 'im Below Ivan Boy You Steal My Ground Great Lakes chanty Heave 'er Up and Bust Her The famous ballad The Stately Southerner |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 08 May 13 - 01:11 AM Belly deep in Caribbean chanties this past week. Fight On, the American Bullies Woman Belly Full o' Hair See Mi Nanny O |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Charley Noble Date: 08 May 13 - 08:49 PM Excellent work, Gibb. Will we be seeing you again at Mystic this June? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 08 May 13 - 11:44 PM Hi Charley, I'm in California this year and I can't make it to Mystic. I'll be sorry to miss it. Within a few days after Mystic, too, I have to travel to Scandinavia—for business, but I do hope to check out some of the maritime culture in Göteborg and/or Copenhagen and/or Hamburg, depending on time. I'm also hoping to attend the San Francisco Maritime program later in the summer, where I'm sure I'll see many of the Mystic regulars. Have fun! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: ChanteyLass Date: 09 May 13 - 12:20 AM We'd have more fun if you could be there. Maybe next year . . . . |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Wotcha Date: 09 May 13 - 07:44 AM Having spent 2 years in Stavanger, Norway let me commend the Irishman Pub which has a traditional session/singaround once a month. The house band -- The Harbour Folk Band -- is comprised of a mix of Norwegians and expats: 2 CDs available for purchase there. If you are feeling adventurous and looking for something different Stord Island, just south of Bergen, is home to the group Storm Weather Shanty Choir. They have performed in the States. Saw them on stage in Stavanger during the Tall Ships Race in 2011. A cross between Great Big Sea and a heavy metal band (in appearance at least). Med venlig hilsen Brian |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 13 May 13 - 02:11 AM Thanks for the recommendation, Brian. *** Here's a comparative "study" of six variations of "Yankee John, Stormalong". Yankee John |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 22 May 13 - 06:55 PM I still find myself jumping around haphazardly. Still plenty of material to try out. From the Great Lakes: Goodbye, My Lover, Goodbye From Lomax's 1962 Caribbean tour: I Spend 40 Shilling Caesar, Boy, Caesar And from Abrahams' Caribbean collection: Hell of a Wedding Caesar, oh, Caesar (Thomas Sailor Run 'way) The version in Bullen's collection of one of the best yet, strangely, often overlooked chanties: Roll the Cotton Down And one of the "fag ends" from Hugill's "Bosun's Locker" articles: Rolling Home (Scandinavian capstan version) |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 13 Jun 13 - 11:49 PM Headed for a dry spell as I get busy with other things, but here are some additions to the project since last time. Caribbean chanties. From Nevis: Caesar, Boy, Caesar From Anguilla: I want no more coil rope Two related ballads: Constitution and Guerriere Shannon and Chesapeake Some stuff from Hugill's _Bosun's Locker_ that was not in his SfSS collection: Bound for South Australia Hieland Laddie - 'American Version' Navy work-songs, "chippers" Eight Bells |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 11 Jul 13 - 07:20 AM Stevedore song: Way Down on Mobile Bay Pile driver song: Nothin' But a Humbug Caribbean items: Bear Away, Yankee (2 variations) Ding Well John John Oh Dan Dan Oh Bulldog Gon' Bite Me Yard O Dutch shanties: Daar Was Eens een Meisje Loos Ballast song (Hoog is de Zolder) |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: GUEST,dick greenhaus Date: 11 Jul 13 - 07:41 PM Gibb- Have you considered writing a book? |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 05 Aug 13 - 12:29 AM Some of the Caribbean chanties I've learned this past month: Grenada: Shaanydo (Ride Down Trinidad) Time For Man Go Home Hilo, Boy, Hilo Hurroh, My Riley Sound Me, Doctor, Sound Me In My Own Native Land Very Well, Captain, Give the Man a Blow -and- Nancy O, My Diggy Man Tobago: Man o' War Sailor St. Peter Down at Courland Bay Michael Row, the Boat Ashore Nevis: Oceania -and- Judiano Feeny Brown Long Time Ago Fire Down Below St. Vincent: Sam Gone Away (2 variations) Other Caribbean, from Horace Beck's book: Hilo, Boys, Hilo Long Time Ago Man o' War Sailor Old Moses Blow, Boys, Blow |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 03 Sep 13 - 02:49 AM Even though I did not get to attend the Mystic Seaport festival this year, it's been a good summer for learning new chanties / variations. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I learned up to ~80 new ones—See, there's still stuff out there to be "discovered"! Here's a last batch, as the kids and teachers go back to school. It general, I like the ones from Anguilla best! From Harlow's book: Fire Down Below Dutch and French, from Hugill's later volume: De Ijzere Man Madeleine Anguilla: Bowline Old Mother Dinah Adieu, Fare-you-well One Hundred Years and a Hilo Nevis John John, the Water Man A Coolie is Nobody Shub Her Down / Georgy, Me Neck a-Broke Do, My Jolly Boy (Johnny Bowker) Blow, Boy, Blow Grey Goose Gone Home When You Go, Tell Julia (I am bound away) Blow the Man Down (2 variations) Saint Vincent Bully Long Time Ago (3 variations) Rolling River Sintali (Tally I O) Lee Lee O Mr. Cobeau Haul Away (2 variations) We Are Bound Down South Alibama Little Boy Lonzo Tinnego Squall in the Morning (Blow, My Bully Boy) Carriacou: Roll and Go / Sally Brown (4 Variations) Shame, Jimmy Riley Oh Tobago: Pull Away, Me Boy Trinidad: And Away-ay Yah! (Captain, What's Your Cargo?) St. Kitts: Chaun Fine, My Deary Hunney Saint Thomas: Fine Time o' Day |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Hesk Date: 03 Sep 13 - 05:56 AM Gibb, When you say you've learnt up to 80 new ones, in what sense learnt? Do you mean that you can sing them, remembering all the words? If so, that is a remarkable feat. I have a problem learning one a year! |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 03 Sep 13 - 07:21 PM Hi Hesk, Haha yeah, I hear you! The number certainly is not important — just me being a little dramatic and showboat-y...fun with numbers. Realistically, the songs I have posted since and including my 13 June post are most of the ones I've learned since Memorial Day / end of May (which I counted up and happened to be around 80 or so). You can see that most of them do not have so many lyrics to memorize, and, as is the case with chanties, many call for ad libbing rather than memorization. The 3 or so sea ballads and the 4-5 foreign language songs were certainly the ones that took the most work to memorize! In any case, yes, i remember the words; I don't look at any papers while I sing. (Also, a quirky personal "rule" of mine: I always stand, never sit, when singing chanties!) I could certainly "learn" the songs better: "living" with the songs longer, singing them more, would result in both deeper understanding and better performances. In this project though, I am going for quantity (breadth); I can (and do) always come back to the songs later and learn selected ones, better. My method is to learn ( = memorize, etc) the songs while doing something else. I had a pretty regular routine this summer of exercising at the gym several days per week, and I would take papers with me and study the songs while exercising. Many of the songs are short enough that I could walk to the gym, exercise, walk home, and then by that time know the song reasonably well to record it. The learning certainly doesn't stop there, but it's the first step. Likewise, I don't have a car, so while walking or riding public transport I study the songs. Most often, during physical activity... Gibb |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: Gibb Sahib Date: 27 Oct 13 - 04:05 AM Chanties from Sept/Oct. I've been working on book as much as possible, so not learning as many new chanties now. Mexico: Jala Hombre Chyrra Me Yankee Virginia: Sweet Roseanna Georgia Sea Island: Call Me Hangin' Johnny Goodbye, My Riley Debt I Owe Sandy Anna Shilo Brown Before this Time Another Year Annie Belle Saint Vincent: Royo Groun Those Girls from Bermuda Blackbird get Up Jane and Louisa Johnny Come Down with a Hilo Bully Monday Bear Away, Yankee Dominica: Monkey Drunk, Stand Below Guyana: Sister Seusan from Carpenter Collection: Sing Sunnydoh |
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Subject: RE: Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib From: ChanteyLass Date: 27 Oct 13 - 10:23 PM I'm having trouble keeping up with the listening/watching! |
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