Just getting back to this thread...

Jeff:

So where did the 'Way hey ya...Ooh' originate, and why don't youbinclude it in your video clips

Not sure of your exact question..."originally" I dunno, but the Colcord/Robinson text has "Way hey ya" (sp?), so I'd imagine the versions are based in that. As for that "Ooh/unh!!," that is definitely some performer's addition that has become popular within the last couple decades, I think. I am listening to Forebitter's version from early 90s (?? - American Sea Chanteys album), and that doesn't have the "unnh!!", but then the recording by the Mystic Seaport's Chanteymen --mainly the same singers-- from 1997 does have it. So I'd guess it came around in the 1990s (??)

The reason I don't have it in my clip is that I'm following Hugill/Harding's version, which instead has "With a hauley high and a hauley low."

Lighter:

Wow. Now I'm more confused about Colcord's comment. Thanks for that info!

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Hey, well I just recently realized I had a recording that does follow Hugill's version -- it's a Polish-language version by the group Ryczace Dwudziestki. Fascinatingly, part way through the track they switch to the "modern" way of doing it -- as if to acknowledge both.