Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'

Subject: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 12:56 PM

I'm listening to an episode of "Planetary Radio", a recording of a program by the Pasadena-based Planetary Society done at the Aquarium of the Pacific, in Long Beach, California:

Planetary Radio Live at the Aquarium of the Pacific, July 23, 2012

The topic is oceans, but being the Planetary Society, it's mostly non-Earth oceans they're discussing (as well as some timely info about the Curiosity Mars rover). The son-in-law of the main presenter, Michael Nieto, happens to be a biologist, actor, and musician (banjo!), and he was roped in to contribute a specially composed "shanty" -- "one of the few space shanties out there," he says. There's a taste of it at the opening of the show, the full song is at about 6:30 mins in the show.

I don't have time to transcribe it today. Maybe later, unless someone beats me to it.

Second half of the program was broadcast the next week: More Planetary Radio Live at the Aquarium of the Pacific: Oceans Everywhere, July 30, 2012.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 03:53 PM

Arrgggg!

Well, that was fun once I found the right link to click on (link #4).

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 06:28 PM

There's a "Listen" link right under the air date and air time, or you can go direct to the mp3 here.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 10:54 PM

I suppose this is what one might call the "free association" definition of "shanty" :)

Similarly, Frank Herbert wrote of "sand chanteys" in his novel _Dune_.

On another note, I miss Long Beach!

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 05:36 PM

I am reminded of the space child's Mother Goose - something something my black hen / she lays eggs in the relative when / she doesn't lay eggs in the positive now / because she's unable to postulate how...

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 09 Aug 12 - 11:45 AM

Ben Kenobi Nobi too lai aye

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Aug 12 - 12:33 PM

We might put together a verse or two in tribute to the successful lowering down of Curiosity onto the surface of Mars.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 12 - 01:01 PM

any mention of Rhysling, the blind singer of the spaceways?

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Aug 12 - 10:33 AM

Anyone remember Lancelot Briggs--Spaceman? It was one of the earliest, 1950s, space opera thrillers. There may even have been a shanty or two.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Bernard
Date: 10 Aug 12 - 11:06 AM

Stan Kelly wrote a parody of 'Whip Jamboree', called 'Space Jamboree' (I think)... the chorus went:

Whip jamboree, whip jamboree
Momentum equals sigma m v
Those three legged girls are the ones for me
Oh keep her on the orbit, son!

I'll try to find my copy of the Stan Kelly songbook if I can't find this in the DigiTrad...

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Bernard
Date: 10 Aug 12 - 11:11 AM

Space Shanty
(Stan Kelly)

Well, Daniel Dare was a pilot bold
And he went to the moon so I've been told.
And he found them craters stuffed with gold,
Keep her on the orbit, son.
Whip jamboree, whip jamboree
Momentum equals sigma mv
Them three-legged gals are the ones for me.
Keep her on the orbit, son.


As we sailed into the Lunar base
The man in the moon had a smile on his face
He shouted this warning to the human race
Keep her on the orbit, son.
Whip jamboree, whip jamboree
Momentum equals sigma mv
Them three-legged gals are the ones for me
Keep her on the orbit, son.


And now it's back to the Earth again
There's only one thing that gives me pain
To leave them yalla gals on the lunar plain
Keep her on the orbit, son.
Whip jamboree, whip jamboree,
Fiddle yer cathodes and straddle yer probes
And we'll beam right back to the Earth we love
Keep her on the orbit, son.


Pretty close to what I remember!! It was written before Yuri Gagarin became the first ever spaceman...

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Amos
Date: 10 Aug 12 - 11:39 AM

And who could forget ole Pete singing "My true love's an ordinary thing..." about his Venusian sweetheart far away?

Subject: RE: Space shanty -- a 'Nep-tune'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Aug 12 - 12:35 PM

Amos-

Yes, that was an inspiring space song. "You'd know her anywhere..." And her pink antennas were most arresting!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble