I've started writing a little song that seems to have a sailor with a banjo in it. Having a vague recollection of hearing about this, but wanting not to be totally wrong before I go any further, I've been wondering if sailors of the past did play banjo, if so was it common, and what kind of sailors did so... did whaling men?, was it riverboat sailors? etc. I haven't yet figured out what kind of sailor the one in my song should be.

I've seen photos of sailors with banjos, but they look quite posed, and no earlier than 1900. The little book I have that goes along with a Mystic Seaport Chantyemen tape, "Songs of the Sailor" also shows some banjos, but hard to tell the context.

I found this thread, not through Mudcat, but rather through Google, and also a link to the liner notes of Charley Noble's CD Uncommon Sailor Songs. Of course! I said to myself. I realized I had that CD sitting on my coffee table - I was planning to listen to it soon, and I hadn't yet read the notes. I have indelible memories of hearing Barry Finn and others singing the "Yangtse River Shanty" at the Getaway, but had never heard of Sailor with Banjo before. The CD has a banjo accompaniment.

My song, should I ever finish it, seems to want a concertina accompaniment, which I had been assuming would be authentic. Reading the messages above - I guess that's a different kettle of fish to sort out!

I'd appreciate any information....

Linda