The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #169238   Message #4090795
Posted By: Shogun
31-Jan-21 - 05:46 AM
Thread Name: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
021 - Lowlands Away (B)

EN
This originally pumping shanty was later used as windlass and capstan. According to Stan Hugill, because was difficult to sing, was never popular.
Its "Dead Lover" theme definitely originated in Scotland or North England.
This "dead lover" pattern one I sing, of four is:
    "Sailor's dream of his sweetheart"
another three patterns are:
    "The dead lover is a female",
    "The dead lover is a male"
    "Later southern States version"
This version has also slightly different hours, I did change, it is just to seek to try out some different.
The version I will try to recreate I heard it on Stan Hugill's album - "Aboard the Cutty Sark" (1979).
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 67).


Lowlands Away (b)

    Lowlands, Lowlands, hurrah my Jo!
    Lowlands, high, Lowlands, alay!
    My Lowlands away!

          *1*
I dreamt a dream, the other night,
    Lowlands, Lowlands, hurrah my Jo!
I dreamt a dream, the other night,
    Lowlands, alay!

          *2*
I dreamt I saw my own true love,
She flew to me like some young dove.

          *3*
This maid she stood close by my side,
All dressed in white like some fair bride.

          *4*
She spoke in accents sweet an' low.
I love you, dear, this well you know.'

          *5*
And then i sang in sweetest voice,
That song which made my heart rejoice.

          *6*
Oh, Lowlands maids are fair an' true,
This Lowlands maid she loves you too.

          *7*
And Lowlands men are strong an' brave:
The one I love sails o'er the wave.

          *8*
I held her in my fond embrace,
And kissed her sweet an' shinin' face.

          *9*
And then awoke to her the cry,
'Rouse out the watch, ho! watch ahoy!'