061 - De Hoffnung - (German)

EN
Stan Hugill tells, is that this shanty was popular aboard a German four-masted barque, He was shipped in called "Gustav", hailing from Bremen. The first time Stan Hugill heard this version from Ossie Ziemer, young seamen from the Fresian Islands, would often raise it at t'gallant halyards. To raise up this yard, it was always sung, long haul type halyard shanty(slower tempo), due to the huge weight of the yard.
This song was very popular in English and American Ships. It was probably, in the nineties of XIX century of the most-used halyard shanty of them all. Even the German and Scandinavians popularized versions in their own tongues. This song was sung as halyard shanty.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 104).


De Hoffnung

De Hoffnung wor hunnert Dag ünner wegs,
         - to my way, hay, hoday.
Se seil von Hamborg no Valparaiso.
         - a long time ago.

             *2*
Se seilte good und se seilte hart,
Se harr so'ne gode kostbare Fracht.

             *3*
Un as de Ool nu flucht un gnattert,
Dor keem de Düvel över de Reeling klattert.

             *4*
Wenn mi in tein Dag nenn Kanal du bringst,
Denn krigst mien Seel, so woor as du stinkst.

             *5*
De Pott leep negentein Mielen toletzt,
Dor harr de Düvel de Skyseils bisett.

             *6*
Un as se nu kemen in'n Kanal to Stell,
Dar seegt de Düvel "Nu her mit de Seel!".

             *7*
Dar seeg de Ool „Nu lot di man tiet",
"We goot to Anker bi Cape St. Patric".

             *8*
De Düvel de weer vör Freid ganz weg,
He leep op de Back, sett de Anker op slip.

             *9*
De ole Timm'mann har grote Freid,
He harr den Düvel sien'n Steert mitvertäut.

             *10*
Un as de Anker nu suust an den Grund,
Suust de Düvel mit, disse Swienehund.