Sea Chanteys/Shanties page-Gibb Sahib

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 ;)

Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 06:22 PM

Hartford, CT Gibb? Mystic regular, maybe?

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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)

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

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....?

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.

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.

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 :-)(-:

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

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.

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.

Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page
From: olddude
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 09:26 AM

Love it ... thank you

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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."

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.

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

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!

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.

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

Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page
From: Artful Codger
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 05:34 PM

Is it named "The Campañero"?

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

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

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

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 :-).

Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page
From: Mr Happy
Date: 23 Mar 10 - 10:51 AM

mange?

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

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

Subject: RE: Welcome to my Sea Chanteys/Shanties page
From: Michael in Swansea
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 04:37 AM

WOW!!!!!
Excellent work.
Mike

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.

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.

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