014 - Larry Marr

According to Stan Hugill, this shanty was often used at the capstan and also at the pumps, as sometimes also called "Five Gallon Jar". In the chorus it is related to the "short refrain" version of "The Limejuice Ship", this version was taken by Stan Hugill from Irish Sailor, Paddy Delaney, and its pretty certain that is of Irish origin.

"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 60).
I will sing this song as a capstan shanty. And try to recreate this song from
hearted Stan Hugill's version from the album "Shanties From The Seven Seas" (1962), with The York & Albany Crew.


Larry Marr

There wuz five or six old drunken shellbacks standin' before the bar
An' Larry he wuz servin' them from a big five-gallon jar


    Then hoist up yer flag, long may it wave
    Long may it lead us to....... the glory or the grave
    Steady boys steady.., we'll sound this Jubilee
    For Babylon's a fallen a...n' the Diggers are set free!

                   *2*
In Larry's place way on the coast there lived old Larry Marr
Missus an' Larry did employ such a big five-gallon jar.

                   *3*
The pair they played the Shanghai game, wuz known both near an' far'
They never missed a lucky chance to use the five-gallon jar.

                   *4*
A hell-ship she wuz short o' hands, o' full red-blooded tars,
Missus an' Larry would prime the beer in their ol' five-gallon jar.

                   *5*
Shellbacks an' farmers jist the same sailed into Larry Marr's,
And sailed away around the Horn, helped by the five-gallon jar.

                   *6*
In 'Frisco town their names is known, as is the Cape Horn Bar,
An' the dope they serve out to ol' Jack, from the big five-gallon jar.

                     *7*
From the Barbary Coast steer clear, me boys, an' from ol' Larry Marr,
Or else damn soon shanghaied ye'll be by Larry's five-gallon jar.

                     *8*
Shanghaied away in a skys'l-ship around Cape Horn so far,
Goodbye to all the boys an' girls an' Larry's five-gallon jar.


(Verses 1&7 have the first tune – rest have the second tune)