fire down below version on drunken sailor

Subject: fire down below version on drunken sailo
From: GUEST,brooko
Date: 24 Feb 13 - 09:28 AM

any one out there know who sang fire down below, on the programme on radio two called the drunken sailor.and is there a recording of it on any media.i sing in a shanty crew and would like to learn it.on the programme they talked all over it.
brooko

Subject: RE: fire down below version on drunken sailo
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Feb 13 - 09:48 AM

Not what you asked for but it might help.

http://seashanties.wikispaces.com/Fire+Down+Below

Subject: RE: fire down below version on drunken sailor
From: Jeri
Date: 24 Feb 13 - 10:23 AM

Johnson Girls singing a different "Fire Down Below". If I remember correctly, this was the version, if not the group: he was just a simple country lad.
Here's a different group singing the one 999 posted: she was just a village maiden.

When they start out with "he/she was just..." you know there'll be trouble.

Subject: RE: fire down below version on drunken sailor
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 13 - 02:21 PM

Thanks a lot Jeri.she was just a village maiden is the one i'm looking for
Brooko

Subject: RE: fire down below version on drunken sailor
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 27 Feb 13 - 02:36 PM

brooko -
Here's a link to the (saved) program:


Could you point out whereabouts the song was sung? I missed it and can't easily find it. thanks.

Subject: RE: fire down below version on drunken sailor
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Feb 13 - 05:35 PM

It begins to be sung over at about 16:22.

Subject: RE: fire down below version on drunken sailor
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 27 Feb 13 - 07:36 PM

Thanks, Jeri!

The version comes closest to the "version A" in Stan Hugill's _Shanties from the Seven Seas_ (that is, if one is interested in having a text form to learn from / connect it with).

Interestingly, out of a load of different "fire down below" chanties, this is one that doesn't appear much in the historical record. However, Hugill had it in his performance repertoire, and I'd guess it was most popularized in the revival days due to him.

Subject: RE: fire down below version on drunken sailor
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 08:19 AM

This is one of the best programs featuring traditional seas songs that I've heard in years.

Charley Noble