Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!

Subject: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Timbrel
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 05:00 PM

Wonder of wonders!

I've been approached about joining a band as their new (only) female vocalist. I'm really looking forward to this, and happily expecting to sing a lot of harmony. But I'd like to start developing a few songs I can sing lead on. The group's present repertoire is pub songs, chanteys, Irish stuff, drinking songs...and though I know lots of ballads, that's not really the direction in which to go. The idea is mostly good-time songs, not my beloved Iish tearjerkers. I'm hoping to find some lively, lusty, maybe funny, maybe even bawdy (gasp!) tunes that still make sense coming from a gal. Looking for things on the order of "When I was a Fair Maid..." or some of Steeleye Span's stuff. Any ideas, anyone? I'd especially appreciate it if you can tell me where to find recordings.

Sing on! --Timbrel

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: MMario
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 05:06 PM

check out the Pyrates Royale; Molly and the Tinker; and uhm........Women of Whimsey.......; and I think Full Measure has a web site now as well. Also the Tudor Tarts.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 05:13 PM

One song that came to mind immediately: NINE TIMES A NIGHT.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: JenEllen
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 05:42 PM

Congrats on the wonder of wonders...you sound suprised? Here's some I've pulled off. Woman from Wexford, Widow and the Devil, the Wild Goose, Johnny McKeldoo, Fare Thee Well Enniskillen....I've got a tape full of lovelies that I used to warm up my pipes. Send along your mailing address and I'll dub you a copy. Sing on sister! Elle

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:21 PM

Several come to mind but serious Shanty singing is a male domain. Some Forebitter songs are well adapted to female lead. 1.Whiskey Johnny is a fine one. 2.The Handsome Cabin Boy(sung as the "boy" or narrator) 3.Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold 4.Ye Mariners All (jug of this) 5.Donkey Riding 6.Drunken Sailor As for bawdy songs there are so many that you should have a problem deciding which to sing. Glad you are keeping these old songs alive, Good luck to Ye Lass. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Mbo
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:47 PM

There's this great one called "Now I Have To Call Him Father" that Mary Black and her mother did. It's hilarious, and I'm sure it'd be a big hit!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: KevinG
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:49 PM

(1) By law, all Irish pub bands must do "The Wild Rover". Sorry.

(2) Avoid rebel songs, even when requested, unless you really know your audience.

(3) I recommend Hills of Connemara (The Excise Man) Winds of Morning William Bloat (a cappella)

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:57 PM

Re shanty singing and maleness - a lot of guys don't think it's traditional for women to sing shanties. Well, it ain't traditional to sing 'em in a pub either, or at some of the speeds people sing 'em at, or probably even on pitch. (I still don't like soprano parts in shanties, though.) I've had a couple of opportunities to hear our own Liam's Sister-In-Law (Bonnie Milner) sing - once on her own and once with The Johnson Girls. I think they're working on a CD, which I intend to buy one second after it's released.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: emily rain
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:58 PM

girl, you sing whatever you've a mind to sing. don't worry about it "making sense"; if you've got the diaphragm to belt it out, then belt away, and gender be damned.

but if you're not yet ready to take that step, there's always "maid in the garret".

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: kendall
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 07:06 PM

Sally Killen used to sing one called "Roll me from the wall" no man could handle that one. How about Maids when you'r young never wed an old man?

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: emily rain
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 07:12 PM

do you know the archie fisher song "witch of the westmerlands"? also sung by stan rogers on his between the breaks live album. it's not first person, and fits a gutsy female voice quite well.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: emily rain
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 07:14 PM

THE WITCH OF THE WEST-MER-LANDS is how it's listed in the digitrad. these are the complete lyrics... a bit long for my tastes.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 07:19 PM

THE BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN - great opportunities for harmony. We do it a bit slower than the MIDI.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 08:02 PM

Shanteys being work songs, and often compilations of unrelated verses, a female shanteyman is not necessarily incongrouous, or at least not on all verses.

T.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 08:39 PM

Bobby shaftoe (is another one but short) Fiddlers Green is not too bad for a woman to sing. Cyril Tawney offers some Royal Navy songs some of which would adapt to a womans singing. Try to get a book called Rugby Songs and Stories from the UK if they still allow it in this politically correct world we live in...Yours, Aye.(still thinking)Dave

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: JenEllen
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 08:42 PM

What's this? No females singing shanties? Beg to differ, anyone pick up a copy of any Kate Rusby lately? The Yorkshire lass has a lilt to bring tears to any sailors eyes. I agree on Cabin Boy, and you could probably also pull off the old "female ramblin' sailor" Rebecca Young bit too. Sing on Sweet Siren! Elle

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: emily rain
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 08:45 PM

and it's all for the love, all for the love, all for the love of her willy-o.

that's one about a whole shipful of sailors who all turn out to be women in disguise. : )

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 08:56 PM

You mentioned (gasp!) bawdy songs: one of the great bawdy sea songs is sung from the point of view of a woman: "Bell Bottom Trousers," but you might have to tame down the version in the Digitrad if there are kids in the audience. Another great song for a woman is "Anne Boleyn," also in the DT. Or you could do Tom Lehrer's "An Irish Ballad (Rickety-tickety-tin)," again--in the DT.

--seed

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: KevinG
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 08:59 PM

If you want to be daring, try, "The Holy Ground".

It would sound fantastic in a strong female voice, a capella.

The daring part: (1) It's a sea song, almost a shanty. (2) The "Holy Ground" is a red light district.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Mbo
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 09:39 PM

Oooh, yeah, Kate Rusby does "The Wild Goose"! That's a good one to sing, and works well for either gender. What a great song...What a great singer...

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Barry Finn
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 10:13 PM

Rather than sing in gender sing what ever fits your voice & style. Do raunchy shanties, rowdy pub sing alongs, do disgusting drinking songs do what ever you want but do it well. I've sung with Bonnie (Liam's sister in law) & others of the Johnson Girls & the New York Packet(as mentioned by Jeri, above) & I'd rather have them pushing a packet than some no count yellow mealy male. Some of them are a few that can really raise a good axe song too, not an easy turn for anyone. Raise hell Timbrel, best of luck, Barry

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Victoria
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 10:16 PM

I must post and applaud JenEllen for recommending Kate Rusby as a fine singer of traditional shanties, etc! I'm another great Kate Rusby fan! There's a great song on her latest album (Sleeples- from Pure Records)called "Cobbler's Daughter" thats great, though not a Sea Shanty (I'm rehearsing that one myself) Also, I might suggest "Bold Riley" (on Kate's "Hourglass" album),Phil Coulter's "Home From the Sea", "St. Brendan's Fair Isle" (we've done that with some really nice harmonies on the chorus part), and my personal favorite, Stan Rogers' "The Mary Ellen Carter" ! Good Luck singing - you take any song you like, girl, and make it your own!!

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From:
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 10:46 PM

Old Maid In the Garrett is one.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 12:03 AM

Hey you all, check it out. Timbrel asked for "some lively, lusty, maybe funny, maybe even bawdy" & alot of what we gave her was drivel. "Here's one for a women" or maybe "here's a shanty that she might be able to handle". Give me a break, why not throw a bone, hell, why not just admit her to the All Male's Grand World Chorus, are we still putting up barriers for women to break. I've gotten some great shanties from some great singers & a good bit of those singers are women. 25 yrs ago I got "Finney Brown" (Sally's West Indian cousin) from Talitha Nelson (now McKenzie). Got "Only One More Day" (slow full version) again about 20 yrs ago from the same women (Suzanne Friend) that Holstock & McLeod got it from. At the DC Getaway we did "Come Down You Roses" which came off great all to the credit of Bonny from the Johnson Girls & Daphanne from the New York Packet & acouple of guys, Ken of NexTradition & David formerly of the Boarding Party. I don't hear many women saying to us guys that are looking for a good Coal Mining song (maybe "Draglines" by Deborah Silverstein) to sing "here's one that may fit your cup size". That just reminded me of a workshop on worksongs I was involved in, at NEFFA, in the early 80's with Talitha & Deborah & Jan Green (then Downey) & Ann Goodwin, all great singers, all great SHANTY singers & great singers of worksongs in general. Just because there's no women at the moment in the fore front of the male kingdom of Shantydom doesn't mean women need to sing like they're in the parlor, listen to our own Mary Lamarca sing a shanty, come on guys they should be getting more support & encouragement than what I'm seeing here, we're the ones losing out if we keep them off limits. Barry, who's ready for a beating.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Margo
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 01:33 AM

Here here, Barry! Who won the shantey bellering contest in Tacoma this summer? None other than Andrea Aldridge! What an alto!

Here are my few to look up:

Alabama John Cherokee (pumping shantey)
The Handsome Cabin Boy (disguised as a sailor, she gets preggers)
The Maid on the Shore (robs the captain, rows to shore)
Paddy West (teacher of greenhorn sailors whose philosiphy is let's not and say we did)
Do Me Amma (Jack tar ends up in bed with a squire's lady, she decided to keep him)
The Jolly Roving Tar (When your money's gone it's the same old song....)
All For Me Grog (drinking song from head to toe)
Liverpool Judies (shanghaied!)

Oh, I suppose you have enough. Do let us all know how you do!

Margo, a shanteygirl

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: JenEllen
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 01:38 AM

Another spot you might try looking is just about anything by Felicia Dale and William Pint. It might be more English than you are looking for, but definately qualifies on the bawdy parts. They do a Widow and the Devil that brings tears to my eyes. Elle

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: JenEllen
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 03:39 AM

I don't know your voice, but things you might try:::::: Yarmouth Town...Go Home by B'arna...Barnyards of Delgaty...Bold Tennant Farmer...Gallant Forty-Twa...Sound the Pibroch...Bonnie Dundee...Fair Thee Well Enniskillen...Caledonia...Bar the Door...Devil and the Farmer's Wife...Wild Goose...Bold Riley...Old Dunn Cow...Drunken Fool (I usually follow with a couple bars of "Who's makin' love to your old lady while you was out makin love ;-)...hopefully helpful. Elle

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: AKS
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 08:58 AM

Here my list for a start to pick up from (I think most of them can be found at MC, either in the DT or in the threads):

Let Him Go, Let Him Tarry The Old Maid in the Garret Maids, When You're Young Never Wed an Old Man Henry My Son Gentleman Soldier Home Boys Home Biddy Mulligan Dundee Weaver Jar of Porter The Spinning Wheel Salonika Three Lovely Lassies from Kimmage Walking in the Dew

AKS Joensuu, Finland

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: VIN
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 09:03 AM

You might find that "home boys home " will fit the bill, it's from a female prospective. I have it on an old dubliners tape, but you'll probebly find words and tune online.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: WyoWoman
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 09:19 AM

"Down Our Street" is plenty fun. (On the Black Family "What a Time" album -- and "Now I have to Call Him Father" is also on that one. "Alabama John Cherokee" Is on the Black Family "Time for Touching Home" album.

IF you want a fabulous, heart-wrenching shantey that will stop 'em dead in their tracks (and maybe seriously p.o. some), do "The Last Leviathan" by Rory Block. It's sung from the viewpoint of the last of the great whales, who's just been hit with a harpoon.

KEVIN G -- Where could I hear "Holy Ground?"

This is a great thread -- I'm getting plenty of ideas as well.

WyoWoman

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 10:12 AM

Farewell to Tarwathie a song about whaling sung by Judy Collins was one of my favourites perhaps that is one that you would care to revive. Yours, Cordially. Dave (running back to the Tavern)

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Wotcha
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 12:19 PM

Well, some of these aren't strictly chanteys, hardly bawdy, but great songs of the sea and other traditions that go well with a female voice (at least the ones I have heard sung by ladies):

Mingulay Boat Song. Skye Boat Song Boozing (attributed to Maddy Pryor, sung by Roberts and Barrand) Any song about or from Nova Scotia (popular with expat Canadian ladies I know who I witnessed in Bahrain singing with some abandon on a bus after a marathon) Shoals of Herring Fields of Athenry (it's kinda a sea song ... its got a transportation theme) Pull Down Lads (Sung by June Tabor in the late 70s) Roll Alabama Roll (see the DT's bawdy version) Sam's Gone Away Aboard a Man of War Baltimore (your knowledge of anatomy may limit how many verses of this shanty you can sing ...)

Cheers, Ramadan Mubarak Brian

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Dani
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 02:39 PM

Nothing but thanks from me, Barry! I was so grateful when, at the Getaway Weekend, I sidled up to a table full of men singing shanties and prison songs. When I got brave enough to join in on a chorus or two, no one laughed or looked at me funny... I'm still singing! They suit my voice and heart just fine.

Men aren't the only ones who leave their loves behind to seek their fortunes - or get into trouble doing so! I've sung Farewell to Tarwathie plenty.

Also, I just discovered a version of the House of the Rising Sun from a ruined woman's point of view. Am I late to the bandwagon, I've never checked its origins, never liked it all that much, but now it makes so much sense to me!

I was just about to end this message with Sing On! when I saw your signature, Timbrel! So Sing On, already! Keep 'em coming, y'all.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Timbrel
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 03:35 PM

WOW. Thanks, y'all; by all means keep 'em comin', but already you have been extremely helpful. Thanks to Barry Finn for his wise words; I didn't intend to come across as the helpless female! I've been singing chanteys since I was a young lass, informally, in pubs, and aboard the Clearwater. I have a strong, loud alto voice, I've never had an issue with singing "male" songs, and I think it's high time to recognize that neither the songs nor the lifestyle are solely male province anymore...if they ever were. (Though I'm well acquainted with the Ancient Mariner viewpoint, and I do love what you guys do, Dave!)

What I hope to do, though, is include the other side of the story in my singing. I certainly CAN and DO sing songs that use a male 1st-person viewpoint, and love 'em, but I'd like to start making songs by, for, and/or about women more common and better appreciated, for the sake of fun and novelty. So many people don't know anything about "handsome sailors;" so many people might be pleasantly shocked and surprised to hear about the randy adventures of bold lasses, and so many people may have never stopped to think before about what happens to Nancy or Sally or Molly after Jack ships out again...is she "ruined," is she pregnant, is she going to follow him?

I'm so encouraged by all you've written...I seem to have inadvertently started a wonderful discussion with a narrow request for song titles! Thanks again...I'll keep you updated!

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 04:06 PM

Timbrel, I found a couple that are not well known but are excellent for a womans voice. I checked and they are in Mudcats list, the one I have been trying to remember the words too is The Ellen Vannen true story of an Isle of Man ferry that sank in the Irish sea. I like this one in particular would love to hear it sung again.

1. Ellen Vannen 2. A Sailor Courted 3. The Flowers Of Bermuda 4. Let The Lower Lights Be Burning (Hymn but a nice Sea Rescue Flavour)

Timbrel, you should think about Emma Christian playing her harp and joining you in singing the Ellen Vannen, I am sure there would not be a dry eye in the house ( well soppy soft sods of sailors like me would be wet eyed) I seem to be accumulating a lot of flack for stating the obvious "that Sailors Shanties were sung and worded for mens singing" I would hope the people will forgive me for saying it, but most are not, repeat, not suitable for women to sing alone. However I never stated they should not, or could not sing shanties; show a little charity to an "old sea dog" and lay off the feminazi stuff eh? I am trying very hard to find ones she can sing to children and other sensitive landlubbers. Personally, I would love to hear them all sang regularly by any gender Swear Words and all!.....Yours, Politically incorrect and proud of it, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: lamarca
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 04:56 PM

I have great fun singing "Transvestite" ballads - you mentioned "When I Was a Fair Maid..." - it has both a sailing and a soldiering version; the soldiering one is usually titled "The Female Drummer". Others include:

Sovay/Sylvie - I like Martin Carthy/A. L. Lloyd's version best; it can be done in neat close harmony
Jackie Munroe/Jackeroe - lots of versions!
Willy/William Taylor - again, lots of versions, some with Irish fol-lol-diddle choruses
Martinmas Time - border ballad w/right-fal-leedle chorus; recordings by Anne Briggs and Andy Irvine
Canaday-I-O/Wearing of the Blue - sung by Nic Jones, stolen by Bob Dylan, printed in Sam Henry's "Songs of the People"
The Male/Female Highwayman - by the inimitable Kipper Family of Trunch ("I can't make head nor tail of it...")
The Female Smuggler
Peter Street/Patrick Street/Barrack Street - the flip side of transvestitism, caused by a felonious female...

These are all fun if you're the "chick" singer in a guy group!

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Ferrara
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 08:30 PM

I haven't had many chances to look in on the Mudcat lately, but this thread got my attention. I've also been looking for sea songs, not necessarily shanties, that I could maybe lead at the local shanty sing at the Royal Mile Pub. One I like is "The Bold Princess Royal," which is a seafaring ballad. David Jones sang it, alone and with the Starboard List. There's a version in the DT. Actually, I sang it at the Getaway shanty sing. I'm also looking for Lou Killen's tune to "Cruising Round Yarmouth," which I think is different from the tune used by the Starboard List. This is *not* a woman's song but I sure do like it and since my voice goes from alto to tenor on a good day, I think I could sing it.

Timbrel, one sea song originally set as a woman's song is "If I Were a Blackbird," the original, not the version that Andy Stewart sings. Sorry, I've put the lyrics sheet in one of my song lyric middens and have no idea where. Maybe LaMarca can supply them, I got them from her in the first place.

Barry, Dani and Jeri, lord, I've enjoyed your comments here. It was like seeing all of you again. Good stuff too. - Rita Ferrara

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 08:50 PM

Timbrel, see if you can find copies of the tapes or CDs by St. Elmo's Fire, an all-female group of shanty singers from the Northwest, including the aforementioned Andrea Aldridge, Mariide, Mary Benson, Chris Roe, Pat Thompson, and others (memory fails again). Their songs are wonderful, with some dynamite forebitters as well as shanties. I sure do miss hearing them sing and singing with them. Good luck with your gig.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Timbrel
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 11:57 AM

Thanks again, everyone. I'm compiling a HUGE list of lookups that should keep me busy for a while! And I'm glad it's proving useful to others, too. I'll definitely keep in touch as time passes to let you know what works!...and don't worry, Dave, no "feminazis" here...and don't worry on the account of the little children and gray-haired grannies, because I don't expect any in the audiences! No, brassy and bold is the ticket...much more fun to flirt with the edge of impropriety (and occasionally drop over!)

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 12:26 PM

Work away Timbrel. I am looking forward to your first CD, rest assured I will buy a copy. Definately look up Cyril Tawney, he has a web site under UK Folk listings, mostly 20th Century stuff, but should fit your bill. The old Rugby songs and stories are timeless and very brassy and bold; not suitable except for drunken seamen, so everyone should enjoy them.....Going on duty tonight, so unless (pray God) it is quiet tonight I shall miss the Mudchatters for a while. Wishing you the very best with your project: Sincerely, Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 09:51 AM

The Old Man from over the Sea (very rude, some versions).

General Taylor (just suits the female voice, it seems to me - and if it worries you leave out the verse about "I wish I was Old Stormy's son").

The Spotted Cow (not sea song).

Lady Lovibond (not trad)

A Sailor's life.

The Silkie (of Soulskerrie)

The death of Queen Jane.

Four drunken Maidens.

Sylvie went walking.

Three Score and Ten (speed it up).

Sally Free and Easy (use the first verse as a chorus - gets'em every time)

Johnny I hardly knew you.

The farewell Shanty (set the tune high and put the harmonies underneath).

About a dozen "broken token" songs.

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: kendall
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 12:35 PM

Kevin if you have hearme, and, you are online at some point when I am, I'd be glad to sing Holy Ground for you

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Timbrel
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 12:58 PM

JenEllen: I'd LOVE a copy of your tape, if your offer still stands! My email is [e-mail] ...

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Hemloche (of the Pyrates Royale)
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 01:20 PM

Ahoy there...I don't usually read or post to here but I happened to notice the thread and since I am with the Pyrates Royale (albiet I am just the CD "Wench") and thought that I would pipe in.

Here is a short list of a couple of the songs that the ladies of our group sing as the lead: Bell-Bottom'd Trousers and Fiddler's Green are both sung by our Attack Fiddle Player and Cruise Director, Fifi LeBonBon. Maid on the Shore and Fireship are sung by our Navigatrix, Ulysses Katherine "Kat" Fairbanks. The first as a duet with the Captain of the Ship and the second with the Helmsman. Santiano and Carrickferrgus are sung by our Bosun, the Bonney Peg Riley.

Here is our website so you can check it out www.pyrates.com

Hemloche CD "Wench" and Chief Money Grubber of the Pyrates Royale HMS Sinkwell (aka The Runny Sore)

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 12:24 AM

Or try 'Dicks Don't Grow On Trees' by Robyn Archer. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 05:43 AM

Bonnie Milner sang this one twice at the DC Getaway, and I really liked it: OLD MOKE PICKIN' ON THE BANJO (He Bang-She Bang)(click). I also like Barry Finn's rendition of Haul on the Bowline (click). Good luck, Timbrel.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 08:10 AM

...great thread ya'll...Barry, I think your comments about sexism with regard to song choice is right on!!! I love to sing "Soon May the Wellermen Come"...convinces me I was a whaler in another life...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Phil H
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 09:07 AM

The song "Me husband's got no courage in him" (in the DT database) is very entertaining. Also there was a female folk vocal group called "The Liverpool Judies" working in the US in the 70s they published an excellent songbook plenty of shanties, you may be able to find a copy. Phil

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: peg
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 01:02 PM

great thread all! I too am a female singer and while I prefer ballads and dark laments in Irish and Scits Gaelic, it is of course important to get those upbeat tunes in as well. Mairead ni Dhomnail on her CD "No Dowry" has a great version of an old dance hall tune, "Knickers of Corduroy" which should suit... there is also the option of re-arranging slower tunes to be more upbeat...easiersaid than done, and it must be done very well... Also, "Turlagh og O'Boyle" by Triona ni Dhomnail is another relatively fast-paced one. A bit long and demanding but a great song. Gosh how did you find a band that wanted a female lead singer? I am seeking its counterpart! good luck to you! peg

Subject: RE: Plea:Pub songs/chanteys for female lead!
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 03:41 PM

Timbrel, I though of one you might enjoy; and it's in the Mudcat list. Maids When You're Young Never Wed an Old Man. Yours, Aye. Dave