Origins: Tudor and Stewart Sea Music

Subject: RE: Origins: Tudor and Stewart Sea Music
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 04:15 PM

There are plenty of songs about sailors from that period, and songs that sound as though they might have been put into the mouths of sailors, but no records of anything being sung by sailors aboard. For songs about sailors try the Roxburghe Collection or the Pepys Ballads.

The Hugill reference is completely discredited. It is based upon the theme of a song in Heywood's 'Rape of Lucrece' but the theme 'I placed my hand upon her .....' is common to many songs. Other than the theme it has nothing in common with 'A-Roving'. It certainly wasn't a shanty. 'A-Roving' is a much later shore song adapted to shanty form.

Subject: RE: Origins: Tudor and Stuart Sea Music
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 04:00 PM

Samuel Elliot Morrison in The European Discovery of America: The Northern Voyages mentions verses of chants that were recorded in "Complaynt of Scotlande" (1548) but only snippets and no music. I have also read that Hugill felt the Maid of Amsterdam dated back to this period but I know that this is in dispute.

Unfortunately this would not make for much variety.

Subject: RE: Origins: Tudor and Stewart Sea Music
From: Anne Lister
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 03:04 PM

My husband works as an actor/interpreter here in Wales at Llancaiach Fawr, where it's always 1645 - he doesn't know of anything specific to do with the sea. Sorry!

Subject: RE: Origins: Tudor and Stewart Sea Music
From: Max Johnson
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 01:50 PM

Sounds like an interesting job Joe.

There were several musical instruments including drums found on Henry VIII's 'Mary Rose' when she was raised several years ago. Perhaps you might find something on the associated website(s)?

Good luck.

Subject: RE: Origins: Tudor and Stewart Sea Music
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 11:33 AM

Joe-

Congratulations on your new job!

You'll have a tough time finding any "chanties" transcribed for this period. In fact the "chantey crew" on this forum have only been able to trace chanties back to the early 1800's.

No doubt in the early 1600's sailors did use various calls and shouts to help coordinate the work but that's just a bunch of "yo, heave ho's."

If you run across any suspects, please post them here.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: Tudor and Stewart Sea Music
From: RTim
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 10:48 AM

I assume you mean - Stuart!
Tim Radford

Subject: Origins: Tudor and Stewart Sea Music
From: GUEST,Joe Walker
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 10:47 AM

I was recently hired as a historical interpreter by Plimoth Plantation. I will be starting out aboard Mayflower II.

One of the aspects they want to explore is the use of chanties aboard ships of the period. The Plantation itself represents the year 1627 while for the Mayflower 1620 is probably more accurate.

If any one could point me to a list of music one would expect to hear from a sailor of the period it would be immensely helpful.

Joe