Sea Shanty: Wind, fill our sails...

Subject: Sea Shanty: Wind, fill our sails...
From: GUEST,Katrin
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 08:49 PM

Hi all,

I am looking for a sea shanty or possibly old hymn that I heard a couple of months ago but seem to be unable to find in its entirety. Unfortunately, I only have a couple of lines:

Wind, wind!
Fill our sails!
Help our fight!

The melody was very tender, almost like an incantation, and the song was sung in harmonies.

I appreciate all help with this!!!

Cheers,
Katrin.

Subject: RE: Sea Shanty: Wind, fill our sails...
From: ClaireBear
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 09:08 PM

That seems to be from "Billy Budd," and I see that Benjamin Britten did a setting of it.

Subject: RE: Sea Shanty: Wind, fill our sails...
From: ClaireBear
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 09:16 PM

That is, he wrote an opera...so perhaps that's the source of the music you've heard?

"Billy Budd, Op. 50
"Composer: Britten, Benjamin
"Libretto/Text Author: Crozier, Eric
"Libretto/Text Author: Forster, E.M.
"Libretto Source: Melville, Herman
"Conductor: Atherton, David
"Orchestra: English National Opera Orchestra
"Chorus: English National Opera Chorus
"Chorus Master: Handley, Martin

...

"Date of Production: 1988
"Venue: London Coliseum
"Playing Time: 02:37:00
"Catalogue Number: 100278
"UPC: 4006680102788


"A cast of luminaries supported by the English National Opera gives a profound and masterful reading of Britten's gripping opera of sadism and injustice aboard a British man-o'-war. This production reunites Tim Albery's direction with the phenomenal talent of Philip Langridge, often acclaimed as a natural successor to Peter Pears. The libretto, by E.M. Forster and Eric Crozier, is based on the literary masterpiece by Herman Melville and tells the tale of a young seaman, Billy Budd, who is persecuted malevolently by his master-at-arms, Claggart. Accused of mutiny, the stammering Budd accidentally strikes Claggart dead and the tormented Captain Vere has no alternative but to hang him. The opera explores many universal themes - the individual at odds with society, the corruption of innocence, the continual conflict of good and evil - which no doubt lay close to the heart of Britten's own pacifism and are themes common to much of his dramatic music.

"This production has Britain's leading operatic baritone, Thomas Allen, in one of his most distinguished roles, as Billy. He is noted not only for his superb abilities as a singer, but also for his acting skills, particularly necessary for the demanding role of the naive and virtuous character of Billy Budd. Philip Langridge as Captain Vere repeats his recently highly-praised portrayal."

(From Naxos Video Library)

Subject: RE: Sea Shanty: Wind, fill our sails...
From: GUEST,Katrin
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 11:21 PM

Indeed! Thank you so much!!!