Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?

Subject: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 08:35 AM

The previous thread "Zither banjo on ShackletonZither banjo on Shackleton" includes a few song references, but what about songs about the expedition itself? Know of any?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Pied Piper
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 08:50 AM

This little Piggy fell off. PP

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Declan
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 08:54 AM

Susan

Andy Irvine used to sing one. I've no other information on this other than I remember it contained the line "My name is Shackleton". Hopefully someone else will have more information on it.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 09:12 AM

PP-- LOL! For SHAME!

Declan-- thanks.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 09:23 AM

"South Georgia on my Mind" is probably the classic of this genre.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 09:27 AM

Sorry, I forgot. There's "Marching through South Georgia" as well.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Pied Piper
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 09:30 AM

And don't forget "Whale meat again"

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 09:44 AM

Come on, guys. DOn't you find it odd that something that is curretnly so popular has no music going for it? We can cash in!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 10:09 AM

Well, I've roughed out a chorus, which should be a good start:

My name is Ernest Shackleton
(Well,actually it's not)
But if it were, I'd thank the Lord
That these days I'm even more famous than Scott.


I haven't quite got the scansion right on the last line, might need a bit of tweaking.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 10:29 AM

David Kleiman wrote one a couple of years ago. It has been used in various public venues. I have called him and asked him to post it here.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 11:00 AM

Thanks EB.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 01:07 PM


Shackleton. Earlier thread on the subject.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 01:10 PM

And another promised (but yet to be produced) song.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 05:41 AM

Tsk! Tsk! Shambles. I must do better.... The song I promised is called "The Boss". I've heard it once only - and forgot I'd promised it here. I'll drop an email to Frank Nugent NOW!

Regards

p.s. Spent much of last weekend at a Shackleton "Autumn School" in Athy, near his birthplace. Was reduced to singing "Lady Franklin's Lament" in the absence of anything more apt.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 06:05 AM

Baby It's Cold Outside?

LFF

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 06:31 AM

A Long Firm Freddie, in the cold antartic, I think not.

Thanks Martin *Smiles*

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 07:54 AM

One of the speakers at the weekend was a young South African guy who had spent two summers and a winter at their Antarctic base (deep under snow/ice.) One of their diversions was to hold a "streak" outside. This involved running naked some 100 meters around a building outside before plunging back down the ladeder and thawing out over a heater! He showed the course but excused himdelf for not showing the participants. "Anyway, at that temperature, there's nothing very impressive to see!", sez he!

Regards

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: The Shambles
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 09:29 AM

A friend of mine told me similar tales of his days in the British Antarctic Survey.

They held regular 'fancy dress' parties. One chap arrrived stark bollicky duff, but covered from head to foot with red paint. He claimed he was going as a 'redskin'.

I think that they were driven more than a little 'potty'. One chap would drive them mad by constantly scuffing the ground, whilst he shuffled around the base in a pair of loose fitting and ancient carpet slippers.

They settled this one morning, by using six inch nails to nail the offending slippers to the floor.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 09:45 AM

These are great, stories and all. I'll use them in a set if that's OK with you guys...

~Susan

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 05:42 AM

I've emailed Frank Nugent re the SHackleton song. No reply as yet - wonder where he is? Given that he tried the Elephant Island/South Georgia voyage and succeeded on a North West Passage - he's probably half way up the Amazon at the moment!

Regards

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 03:25 PM

David seems to still be out of town, with his phone disconnected. Will keep trying.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: RolyH
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 03:50 PM

From the book "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing.

'...Then,to give vent to his rage,Marston(the official artist)began to sing.He sang one song,then waited,and then another.Finally he repeated over and over in a tired thin voice, a song whose chorus went:
                                                                                        'Twankedillo,Twankedillo,
                  And a roaring pair of bagpipies
                  Made from the green willow.'

Anyone know it.It was sung on the Endurance.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 04:04 PM

The Copper Family will provide an excellent version

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: RolyH
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 04:12 PM

Arrrgh!!

I knew it was familiar,just couldn't place it.Its sitting in a book right in front of me.

Thanks

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Ian
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 04:42 AM

Roly H

I recall parts of this song But It was not one I recall learning

Twankydillo and lines are ch s

Heres a health to the merry blacksmith
who swings his bright hammer
and works at the anvil
while the boy pumps the bellows

CH

If ever I meet up with
the old farmers horse
Ill cut of his tail
clean up to his har ness

Ch

If ever I meet with
the old shepherds daughter
Ill block up the hole
from where she leaks water


Heres a health to the piper
the best of all fellows


Who plays the jolly bagpies
Cut from the green willow

I hope there is a clue in it for others.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Ian
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 12:15 PM

Further thoughts or corrections.
first verse (verse is two lines.

Heres a health to the merry blacksmith the best of all fellows
who works at the forge while the boy pumps the bellows

Full Ch goes:-
Which makes my bright hammer to rise and to fall
heres to old Coal and young Coal and old Coal (and)or(of) all
Twanky dillo twanky dillo twanky dillo dillo dillo
and he played on his merry bagpipes made from the green willo

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 12:28 PM

Talked to Frank Nugent recently (see above). He's getting the words of the Shackleton song together for me.

Regards

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: diesel
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 02:30 PM

Susan

I don't have the book to hand - it's out on loan and not due back for quite a while.....

However the book is 'Antarctic Hero' by Author Michael Smith, and all about a Tom Crean from Kerry who accompanied both Shackleton and Scott and arguably the linch-pin of the expeditions.

In the book it mentions Tom as constantly singing and humming and sometimes to the annoyance of others (folk music - really ??)

Perhaps if you can locate the book or Author - there will be some more solide info.

rgds

Diesel
(Ex-F.I.D)

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 02:53 PM

Thanks, more is always welcome.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: diesel
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 08:55 PM

Correction Susan - sorry about this earlier, Title of book is Tom Crean: Unsung Hero of the Scott and Shackleton Antarctic Expeditions by Michael Smith

rgds

Diesel

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 03:34 PM

Heard a new song earlier this summer (by Gary McMahon, son of "The Master") called Tom Crean of Annascaul . Sounded good - I'l post the words if I can ger them.

Regards

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: GUEST,misophist
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 10:46 PM

Nobody seems to have remembered Symphonia Antarctica by Rafe Vaughn Williams. That's the only one I know of.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 06:48 AM

I've posted Gary McMahon's song on Tom Crean HERE


Regards

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 11:10 AM

Thanks!

~S~

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 01:35 PM

I think the guys on the expedition actually wrote a book of songs, and we have a bootleg copy here in the library, donated by a well-meaning soul who didn't realize he couldn't just xerox something that was copyrighted and donate it. It's around somewhere; I will try to remember to ask the reference librarian when he gets in.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 02:54 PM

Oooh!!!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Schantieman
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 07:20 AM

Now that sounds interesting!
They held regular concerts & sing-songs on board the Endurance and presumably sang elsewhen to keep their spirits up. Someone had a banjo I think....which may have had the opposite effect? (I wonder if they tried penguin skin?)

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 05:12 AM

I think the programmes from some of their "entertainments" survive, at least. And wasn't here a "South Polar Times" newsheet?

Regards

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 05:27 AM

There's always Les Barker's "Have you got any news of the iceberg ?" - OK I know it was in the wrong hemisphere.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: GUEST,Lighter
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 07:50 AM

In the Branagh movie the crew sings the shanty "Whisky Johnny."

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Reiver 2
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 06:53 PM

This has been an interesting thread for one who has been thrilled and impressed with the whole Shackelton story. Special thanks to Martin Ryan for the song about Tom Crean and the link with the biographical information about him. Tom Crean was indeed an unsung hero. I'd forgotten about the dramatic role he played on the Scott expedition, but got out my copy of that book and looked up all the Crean references. When I was in Ireland in 2001 I got to Tralee, but passed up the Dingle peninsula to do the Ring of Kerry. Next time I go I'll make a special point of visiting Annascaul and stopping at the South Pole for a Guiness and a toast to Tom Crean.

Reiver 2

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: GUEST,Himself
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 08:56 PM

Someone was singing a song recently with the chorus of which this is a part.....spelling approximate
Illy allly Illy ally oh'
Cheerily ,boys ,cheerily ..
....with a long pull and a strong pull etc

Belay ,boys ,belay"

That may be enough for some to recognise it.

Anyway,the person told me it was written in honour of Shackleton.
      Anyone know.??

BTW...I've read a number of Shackleton books and in one it mentions in passing that he took a Wheatstone concertina to Antarctica.No mention of what type or even that he played one....only that he TOOK one.   Robin

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Reiver 2
Date: 11 Sep 03 - 08:36 PM

Martin, do you know if Tom Crean's two daughters are still living... and still in Tralee?

Reiver 2

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 12 Sep 03 - 09:57 AM

I THINK they're both still to the good - I may be able to check this evening.

Regards

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Sep 03 - 10:00 AM

There's a nice biography of Crean with a picture of the daughters HERE . Not sure how current it is, of course.

Regards

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:32 PM

Is guest Melani still here...? She mentioned a book of songs that Shackelton's crew had written and a bootleg copy was in her library..could someone follow up on this? mg

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:55 PM

I e-mailed Melani, and we'll see if she responds. She last posted in February.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:17 PM

I think one of the most-heard songs on that ship went something like "Meow".

Mrs Chippy

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Melani
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:29 PM

Hi guys--yes, I'm still alive, just involved up to my eyebrows in re-fighting the Battle of the Little Bighorn online...I'm at home now, not at work, so I will forward Joe's email to work, where I will be again on Friday, and track down the book. It might take a while--the guy who knows the most about it is going into the hospital for hip replacement surgery, and won't be available for a few days, in case I can't find it easily in the Library collection. The place is in chaos at the moment, with the old boss retiring and the new one driving us all nuts, and I am reluctant to bring a bootleg copy to her attention, since she might want to get rid of it. So I'll just nose around quietly.

Subject: RE: Shackleton Antarctic Expedition: Songs?
From: Melani
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:32 PM

Oh, and by the way--the guy who donated the bootleg copy, the one who is going for surgery, has just finished a biography of Tom Crean which will be published soon. I will forward this link to him--he should be back online while getting back on his feet.