Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:21 AM

187 - Blow, Boys, Blow (A) - Halyard Shanty


Another shanty with the word "Blow" is fine old tops'l halyard shanty "Blow, Boys, Blow". This shanty has three patterns:
(a) The Guinea Slaver;
(b) The Buck Ship (A Yankee China Clipper);
(c) The Harry Tate Ship (English skit on Yankee Packets);
This version (The Guinea Slaver), Stan Hugill obtained from Australian seamen, ex-"Manuerwa" and "Silver Pine".
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 226, 227).


Blow, Boys, Blow (A)


Say, wuz ye niver down the Congo River?
   - BLOW, boys, BLOW!
Ohh! yes I've bin down the Congo River,
   - BLOW, me bully boys, BLOW!

*2*
Congo she's a mighty river,
Where the fever makes the white man shiver,

*3*
A yankee ship came down the river,
As she rolls down her tops'ls shiver.

*4*
Yonder comes the "Arrow" packet,
She fired her guns an' I heard the racket.

*5*
Yonder comes a Creole lady,
I guess she's got a - creol - [.........] baby.

*6*
Who d'yer thinks the skipper of her?
Who, ol' Bully Pete, the - creol - [...........] lover.

*7*
Who d'yer thinks the skipper of her?
Why, Saccrappa Joe wuz the chief mate of her.

*8*
Who d'yer think wuz second mate of her?
Saccrappa Jim was the second mate of her.

*9*
Sacrappa Jim he's a rocket from hell, boys,
He'll ride yiz down like yiz ride a spanker.

*10*
What d'yer think they had for breakfast?
Why, the starboard side o' an ol' sou'wester.

*11*
What d'yer think they had for dinner?
Belayin'-pin soup an' a squeeze through the wringer.

*12*
What d'yer think they had for supper?
Oh, handspike hash an' a roll in the scuppers.

*13*
What d'yer think they had for carger?
Why, black sheep that have run the Embarger.

*14*
Blow me, boys, an' blow for ever,
Blow me down to the Congo River.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:24 AM

188 - Blow, Boys, Blow (B) - Halyard Shanty


This was a shanty in which the singer often repeated the solo lines, to string out on a long haul.
Another shanty with the word "Blow" is fine old tops'l halyard shanty "Blow, Boys, Blow". This shanty has three patterns:
(a) The Guinea Slaver;
(b) The Buck Ship (A Yankee China Clipper);
(c) The Harry Tate Ship (English skit on Yankee Packets);
This version is the A Yankee China Clipper.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 227, 228).


Blow, Boys, Blow (B)


Blow,me boys, I long ter hear yer,
   - BLOW, boys, BLOW!
Ooooh, blow, me boys, an' I long ter hear yer,
   - BLOW, me bully boys, BLOW!

                   *2*
A yankie ship came down the river,
Her masts and yards they shine like silver.

                   *3*
How d'yer know she's a Yankee clipper?
By the blood an' guts that flow from her scuppers.

                   *4*
How d'yer know she's Yankee liner?
By the stars an' bars streamin' out behind her.

                   *5*
How d'yer know she's a Yankee packet?
She fired her guns an' we heard the racket.

                   *6*
She's a Yankee ship an' she's bound to China,
And a bunch o' bastards they have signed her.

                   *7*
How d'yer know she's bound for China?
By the flyin'-fish sailors what 'ave gone an' joined her.

                   *8*
Who d'yer thinks the skipper of her?
Why, Ol' Bully Forbes is the skipper of her.

                   *9*
Who d'yer thinks the chief mate of her?
Some ugly case what 'ates poor sailors.

                   *10*
Who d'yer think wuz second mate of her?
Saccrappa Jim was the second mate of her.

                   *11*
What d'yer think they had for breakfast?
Why, the starboard side o' an ol' sou'wester.

                   *12*
What d'yer think they had for breakfast?
Why, the starboard side o' an ol' sou'wester.

                   *13*
What d'yer think they had for dinner?
Belayin'-pin soup an' a squeeze through the wringer.

                   *14*
What d'yer think they had for supper?
Oh, handspike hash an' a roll in the scuppers.

                   *15*
What d'yer think they had for carger?
Five hundred whores from Yokohammer.

                   *16*
Ye'll wish ye all wuz dead an' buried,
An' cross the river lets all git ferried.

                   *17*
Six days work as ye are able,
On the seventh day, bullies, ye will chip the cable.

                   *18*
On this bloodboat there ain't no laybacks,
Get haulin', all ye lazy shellbacks.

                   *19*
Blow today an' blow termorrer,
Blow for this hell-ship all in sorrer.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:25 AM

189 - Blow, Boys, Blow (C) - Halyard Shanty


This was a shanty in which the singer often repeated the solo lines, to string out on a long haul.
Another shanty with the word "Blow" is fine old tops'l halyard shanty "Blow, Boys, Blow". This shanty has three patterns:
(a) The Guinea Slaver;
(b) The Buck Ship (A Yankee China Clipper);
(c) The Harry Tate Ship (English skit on Yankee Packets);
This version is the The Harry Tate Ship.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 228, 229).


Blow, Boys, Blow (C)


Blow,me boys, I long ter hear yer,
   - BLOW, boys, BLOW!
Blow,me boys, I can't git near yer,
   - BLOW, me bully boys, BLOW!

                      *2*
Oh, a yankie ship came down the river,
Her masts all bent, her sails a-shiver.

                      *3*
How d'yer know she's a Yankee clipper?
By the Stars an' Bars that fly above her.

                      *4*
How d'yer think wuz skipper of her?
Why, Slimey Joe wuz the skipper of her?

                      *5*
An' who d'yer think wuz chief mate of her?
Why, Boss-eyed Bill the Bowery Bastard.

                      *6*
Who d'yer thinks the second greaser?
Why, Santander Jim the 'Frisco bludger.

                      *7*
The third wuz Sam the Slippery Dodger,
He'll ride yiz down like yiz ride a spanker.

                      *8*
The bosun wuz a big buck [nigger] bugger,
His handle wuz Joe the 'Frisco Digger.

                      *9*
The sails wuz just a jobbin' tailor,
The chips wuz not a Blackwall sailor.

                      *10*
The cook wuz Jack the Boston Booty,
The steward had to learn his dooty.

                      *11*
Her sides wuz old an' her sails wuz rotten,
His charts the Old Man had forgotten.

                      *12*
Scotchmen hangin' in her riggin'.
Oh, can't yiz her them banjoes pingin'?

                      *13*
The crew wuz anything but frisky,
They'd never crossed the Bay o' Biscay.

                      *14*
What d'yer think they had for dinner?
Nanny goat's horns an' a Chinaman's liver.

                      *15*
She sailed away for Kingston City,
Never got ther, the more's the pity.

                      *16*
Blow today an' blow termorrer,
Blow for that ol' ship in sorrer.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:27 AM

190 - Blow Boys Blow (odd verses) - Halyard Shanty


On page 229 of his book, Stan Hugill prints odd verses, they have been used, been sung by shantymen on various decks of sailing ships, so I do not see any reason to forget those verses and leave them unused. This is the reason why I cannot omit them, and I will be over the moon to sing them as a halyard shanty way as previous full versions of this shanty from the book.
This was a shanty in which the singer often repeated the solo lines, to string out on a long haul.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 228, 229).


Blow Boys Blow (odd verses)


Blow,me boys, an' blow tergether,
   - BLOW, boys, BLOW!
Blow,me boys for better waether.
   - BLOW, me bully boys, BLOW!

                        *2*
Blow, boys, blow, the cook's drawin' water,
A bob for the cook an' a cheer for his daughter.

                        *3*
She files aloft the stripes an' stars,
She has cotton canvas an' pitchpine spars.

                        *4*
A yankee ship came down the river,
There's the style to make ye shiver.

                        *5*
Blow, me boys, we've come to cheer yer.
Blow, me boys, we've come to cheer yer.

                        *6*
Another pull, ho, rock an' shake 'er.
For go she must an' go we'll make 'er.

                        *7*
I though I heard the Old Man say
Another pull an' then belay.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:28 AM

191 - Oh Blow Ye Winds I Like To Hear You - Halyard Shanty


Stan Hugill on page 230 of the "Shanties From The Seven Seas", mentioned he discovered this version by searching foreign sources. The mentioned book by Stan Hugill is the "Sang Under Segel" of the Sigurd Sternvall. The mentioned song we can find on page 370 of the mentioned source (fortunately this book is a part of my collection of the shanty books). The comments from Sternvall's book say:
..."The text by sailmaker Gustaf Wiman, Boston, 1909.
"Bully "s have the same as mischievous. In English college slang, it also has this meaning. "Belaying pin's soup" is in Swedish translation nothing more than a good cooking beat."...

This reconstruction will contain full text and music notation from Sigurd Sternvall's book, and also the title is the original.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 230).


Oh Blow Ye Winds I Like To Hear You


Oh, blow ye winds, I like to hear you,
   - BLOW, boys, BLOW!
Blow today and blow tomorrow!
   - BLOW, boys! Bully, bully, BLOW, boys, blow!

                         *2*
A Yankee ship came down the river.
Her mast and spars they shine like silver.

                         *3*
How do you know she is a Yankee clipper?
By the stars and stripes she flies behind her.

                           *4*
And who do you think is the master of her?
One-eyed Kelly, the Bowery runner.

                           *5*
And what do you think they will have for dinner?
Belaying pin's soup and monkeys liver.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:30 AM

192 - Blow, Boys, Blow (Norwegian) - Halyard Shanty


Another shanty with the word "Blow" is fine old tops'l halyard shanty "Blow, Boys, Blow".
This was a shanty in which the singer often repeated the solo lines, to string out on a long haul. This is the Norwegian language version. Explanation below text says: After G. W. Larsen, National Old Sailors Home - Fredriksvern.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 227, 228).


Blow, Boys, Blow (Norwegian)


Paa vaade veie vil vi vandre,
   - BLOW, boys, BLOW!
Vi tager avsked med hverandre,
   - BLOW, me bully boys, BLOW!

*2*
Jeg ser min flamme staar paa pynten,
Hun graeter visst, ti slut er mynten.

*3*
Til mersefaldet styrmand kalder,
Og heis nu klyver, til hun falder.

*4*
Hun driver rundt--en maned til roret,
Og hiv nu ankret op i sporet!

*5*
Hal op i styrbords agterbraser!
Vor styrmand flyr nu rundt og maser,

*6*
Fra kysten nu saa fint hun langer,
Der ser vi Okso fyrtaarn pranger.

*7*
Snart har vi Lindesnaes isigte--
Nu styrmand maa de peile rigtig!

*8*
Det frisker op med bris nordostlig--
Hun slinger praegtig--det er kos'lig.

*9*
Kaptein roper: Hei du stuert!
Slipp nu laerken ut av buret!

*10*
Skjaenk i en og la os smake,
Et skjont farvel for dem tilbake.

*11*
Heis nu seilet hoit paa stangen!
Nu er det oppe--slutt med sangen.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:31 AM

193 - Svineper - Pump Shanty


The Dirty Old Pig or Svineper was the most popular pumping shanty of all Scandinavian. The original was the Norvegian, but also we can find the German and Swedish versions. A couple of facts about this song, first Stan Hugill first time heard this song from shantyman Paddy Griffiths, who get this song from Norwegian barque. The second version that you can see here is Stan Hugill from "Opsang Fra Seilskibstiden", but the tune Stan Hugill learned from a Norwegian sailor is called"Big Skan". A third and most intriguing fact is that choruses are in five different languages.
In the Norwegian version, a play on words is very noticeable. There is mention of a "real" pig, but usually, more often the reference is to the skipper - a dirty old hog, i. e. Svineper.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 232, 233).


Svineper


Udi Parmerent i Holand, der laa en gammal Brigg,
Forsilten vardens skorg, og forsliten var dens rigg,
   - Oberland, zum pao wand, Oberland zum par wand,
   - Til Drøbak med han Svineper vi tidsnok Komme Kan.

                            *2*
Det fandtes ikke kompas eller mathaus ved dens ratt,
Vi styrte efter pullen i Per Svine's gamle hatt;
   - Ober land zum par wand, ober land zum par wand,
   - Til Drøbak med han Svineper vi tindsnok komme kan.

                            *3*
Kahytten den var umalt, men ruffen der var god,
Og Køierne var malte med vaeggelusblod;
   - Overland som tibrands, overlands som paa vand,
   - Til Drøbak med den Griseper vi aldrig komme kan.

                            *4*
Skutesiden den ratten og daekket hak i hul,
Og ratten bare et gammelt kjaerrehjul;
   - Overland som paa vand, overland som paa vand,
   - Til Drøbak med den Grisper vi aldrig komme kan.

                            *5*
Vi matte pumpe laens imellem hvert et glas,
Og naar vi gik fra haven, skar vi katten ind til bras;
   - Gi mig ranson paa vand, gi mig ranson paa vand
   - Og fire mand i giggen satte Svineper iland.

                            *6*
Vi hadde ikke bramsel, vi heiste op et skjort,
Og jamen holdt det godt saalaenge veiret det var tort;
   - Gi mig ranson paa vand, gi mig ranson paa vand,
   - Og fire mand giggen satte Svineper iland.

                            *7*
Og baasmanden spytta, han sver og bandte paa,
At grastaug til taljerip fik'n aldrig til at staa;
   - Hive langsomt fra land, hive langsomt fra land,
   - Der Bergenske møer snart møte nok vi kan.

                            *8*
Og naar vi først var kommet et stykke ut fra land,
Drak Svineper mer braendevin end alle mand drakvand;
   - Hive langsomt fra land, hive langsomt fra land,
   - De Bergenske møer snart møte nok vi kan.

                            *9*
Det var Søndagsmorra, vi blev purret ut til baut,
Men naar vi saa i luka, laa kjølsvinet og flaut;
   - Kors i Herrans namn, hur det går langsomt från land,
   - Vi hurra for den resan, när vi kom til Köpenhamn.

                            *10*
Og engang i vekka vi melkevelling fik,
Da fik vi suge purka som om paa daekket gik;
   - Kors i Herrans namn, hur det går langsomt från land,
   - Vi hurra för den resan, när vi kom til Köpenhamn.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:33 AM

194 - Den Gamla Briggen - Pump Shanty (Swedish)


The Den Gamla Briggen or Svineper was the most popular pumping shanty of all Scandinavian. The original was the Norvegian, but also we can find the German and Swedish versions. This is a Swedish version of this beautiful pump shanty, it comes from “Sang under Segel” (1935), Sigurd Sternwall’s Swedish shanty book. The Swedish version gives us the same story but has a different type of chorus. It is in "broken-down", i. e. "spoiled" Norvegian according to the notes in Sternval's book.
Fortunately for me, I have Sigurd’s Sternwall’s book in my collection and I compared Stan Hugill verses with Sternval's ones, and I discovered that Hugills 4th verse doesn't appear in Sternwall’s book, which must come from the J. Ingemarsson of Valberg (Shantyman which gives this version to Stan Hugill). Also, the tempo in the original song in music notation is 3/4 in Stan Hugill's book 2/4. And last comparing value Stan Hugill gives us 8 verses (including a unique one from the J. Ingemarsson of Valberg), and Sternvall gives us 15.
The biggest dilemma for me was which version I should reconstruct, the obvious choice was Sigurd Sternvall's version because his book is much rarer than Hugill's "Shanties From the Seven Seas". But because Hugill's version contains this one completely unique 4th verse I will reconstruct Hugill's print version.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 235).


Den Gamla Briggen


Udi Parmarentha der låg en gammel brigg,
Udi Stykker var hans sail, og udsliten var hans rigg,
   - For ti-di-li, am-tam-ta, For ti-di-li, am-tam-ta!
   - Vi hurra for den reisen naar vi kom till Langeland.

*2*
Foruden hvide lester var han sort som en ravn,
Det var en gammel vase, han var kjöbt fra Kjöbenhavn.

*3*
En hver ma nu vidden skuden var ej rar,
Forthy bogspröjtet var aabrekt det beste som der var.

*4*
Vi had ingen klyverbom, vi rigged ud en kolt,
Og folket orket ingenting, var udpint og sult.

*5*
Gallionen hun laa allt i veien for oss.
Hver gang vi skulle have voran klyvare loss.

*6*
Og spröjtet den peger i den himmelske sky,
Og atten aarhundrede siden den skudden var ny.

*7*
Kompass udi sitt nakterhaus, det har hun aldrig haft,
Vi stryde efter kullen på en gammel flossehat.

*8*
Nakterhuset var vel ett gammelt vejaskul,
Og ratten er gjort av ett gamelt rokkehjul.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:35 AM

195 - Die Gute Alte Brigg - Pump Shanty


The Den Gamla Bryggen or Svineper was the most popular pumping shanty of all Scandinavian. The original was the Norvegian, but also we can find the German and Swedish versions. This German version of this shanty Stan Hugill took from Knurrhahn, taken down by Ludvig Dinklage. The footnote reads:
'Old Scandinavian sailor song, of about 1800; known to many old-time seamen in other languages.' It is given as a capstan song (gang spill).
An interesting fact about this song is that Stan Hugill gives us only four stanzas in his book, fortunately, I have in my collection Knurrhahn: Seemannslieder und Shanties both tomes, and in the second tome (Zweiter Band), on pages 46, 47, and 48 I did find an original song with eleven (!) stanzas, which is the fair length for capstan (gang-spill), shanty. So here we go I have the chance to reconstruct this shanty in full length.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 236, 237).


Die Gute Alte Brigg

Einst segelt auf dem Meere, wohl eine alte Brigg,
ver rotet war'n die Planken und wakkelig das rigg.
Der reine Schwamm war sie, sie leckte Nacht und Tag,
Sie war des Seemans Schriekken, wohl keiner kam ihr nach.

   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Wenn sie segelt find wir da, ja sind wir da,
   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Wenn sie segelt find wir da, ja sind wir da.
*2*
Kein kompaß, keine karte war jemals hier an Bord.
Wir steuern nach den Mäven, die fliegen auch nach Nord,
Wir steuern nach den Wellen und nach des skippers hut,
Jn Deilung mit dem Großbaum, der kurs ist dann gut!

   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Denn wir gehen jekt in See, Ja jekt in See,
   - hei singt..
   - Denn wir gehen jekt in See, Ja jekt in See.
*3*
Der Smutje war ein Askerl, sein kochen nicht weit her,
Macht hammelfleisch vom haifisch, dazu Stockholmer Teer.
Und dann sein Jrish Stew stank zehn Meilen gegen Wind,
Aus Mövendreck und Katten einen Dubbing er uns bringt.

   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Salch Tsichau-Tsichau ist immer da, ya ist immer da,
   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Salch Tsichau-Tsichau ist immer da, ya ist immer da,

*4*
Jhr Skipper war ein Wikbold, er steckte voller Spaß,
Entweder tanzt er hornpipe od'r singt mit tiefem Baß:
"Ja ja, sie ist schon alt, ich lieb' sie ja so sehr,
Die Brigg, die ist mein Mädchen, das schönste auf dem Meer!"

   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Uns'rer Brigg ein hoch, Vivat!, ya ein hoch, Vivat!
   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Uns'rer Brigg ein hoch, Vivat!, ya ein hoch, Vivat!

*5*
Wir hatten keine Lampen, doch war's auch so im lot,
Wir nahm'n des Bootsmanns Rüker, der glänzte grün und rot.
Und eh' die Nacht hereinbricht, steht er schon in der Rüst,
Ein tiefer Schluck vom Black and White, schon leuchtet seine Nüff.

   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Es gibt Whisky jekt auf See! ya jekt auf See!
   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Es gibt Whisky jekt auf See! ya jekt auf See!

*6*
Und hat der Reeder Weig'nfest, dann gibt es manchen Jur,
Der Smutt kocht uns 'ne Suppe aus einer alten Bur,
Er würzt sie mit 'n Oerlock, 'nen Seestiebel dabei,
Mit Seegras, kakerclatjes, das gibt 'nen feinen Brei.

   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Den der Seeman kokt nach Lee! ya kokt nach Lee
   - hei singt mit, hurrah! hei singt mit, hurrah!
   - Den der Seeman kokt nach Lee! ya kokt nach Lee



Full set of the 11 verses you can find on: https://traditionalshanties.com/

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:36 AM

196 - Mochyn Du - Capstan Shanty (Welsh)


Mochyn Du was probably the most popular capstan shanties among Welsh crews, on the ships hailing in the main from Liverpool. This song is a folk song under another name "The Black Pig". Stan Hugill obtained these lyrics from H. B. Jones. Stan Hugill also states that were many versions of this song but not all of them were sung at sea.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 238).


Mochyn Du

Redodd Dico i Lluyncelyn,
Mofyn Mati at y mochyn,
D'wedodd Matti, O mar arw,
Mochyn du syd bron a marw,

   - O mor drwm yr ydym ni,
   - O mor drwm yr ydym ni,
   - Y mae yma alar calon,
   - Ar ol claddew mochyn du!

             *2*
Melws iawn yw cael rhew seliscen,
O gig mochyn gyda thatan,
Ond y awr rhaid gwnaid heb hwnw,
Mochyn du syd wedi marw.

   - O mor drwm yr ydym ni,
   - O mor drwm yr ydym ni,
   - Y mae yma alar calon,
   - Ar ol claddew mochyn du!

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:37 AM

197 - Reuben Ranzo (Hugills version) - Halyard Shanty


Now, this is a shanty built around the dirtiest "sailor" whoever shipped - Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to the some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers.
An intriguing fact about this song was theories about who it was the Reuben Ranzo, some shanty collectors have different theories about it. So namely were four theories:
1 - He was a native of the Azores, of Portuguese descent, and shipped in a whaler.
2 - He was a famous Danish hero of the sixteen century, a certain Daniel Rantzau.
3 - C. F. Smith claimed it was a Russian or Polish Jew with a name like Ronzoff - his "Christian" name of Reuben would certainly suit the bill.
4 - He was American Latin, a "greenhorn", hence his first name "Reuben" - "Reub" or "Rube" is still used in the States to mean yokel or farmer.
This is the Stan Hugill version it is the combination of the verses given from A. Spencer, ex-American barque "Monongahela" and the Bosun of the "Garthpool".
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 240, 241, 242).

Reuben Ranzo (Hugills version)


Oooh! poor ol' Reuben Ranzo
   - RANZO, boys, RANZO!
Ooh! poor ol' Reuben Ranzo
   - RANZO, boys, RANZO!

*2*
Oh, Ranzo wuz no sailor,
He wuz a New York tailor,

*3*
Though Ranzo wuz no sailor,
He shipped aboard of a whaler.

*4*
The 'Pierre Loti' wuz a whaler,
But Ranzo wuz no sailor.

*5*
Ranzo joined 'Pierre Loti',
Did no' know his dooty.

*6*
Shanghaied aboard of a whaler,
They tried to make him a sailor.

*7*
Ranzo couldn't steer 'er---
Did ye ever know anything queerer?

*8*
The mate he wuz a dandy,
Far too fond o' brandy.

*9*
Put him holystonin',
An' cared not for his groanin'.

*10*
They said he wuz a lubber,
And made him eat whale-blubber.

*11*
He washed once in a fortnight,
He said it wuz his birthright.

*12*
They took him to the gangway,
An' gave him lashes twenty.

*13*
They gave him lashes twenty,
Nineteen more than plenty.

*14*
They gave him lashes thirty,
Because he wuz so dirty.

*15*
Reuben Ranzo fainted,
His back with oil wuz painted.

*16*
The Capen gave him thirty,
His daughter begged for mercy.

*17*
She took him to the cabin,
An' tried to ease his achin'.

*18*
She gave him cake an' water,
An' a bit more than she oughter.

*19*
She gave him rum an' whisky,
Which made him feel damn frisky.

*20*
She taught him navigation,
An' gave him eddication.

*21*
They gave him an extra ratin'
An' made him fit for his station.

*22*
They made him the best sailor,
Sailin' on that whaler.

*23*
Ranzo now the skipper
Of a Yankee whaler

*24*
An' when he gets a sailor,
Who's iggerant on a whaler,

*25*
He takes him to his cabin,
An' larns him navigatin'.

*26*
He married the Old Man's daughter,
An' still sails on blue water.

*27*
He's known wherever them whalefish blow
As the toughest bastard on the go.

*28*
Hurrah for Reuben Ranzo,
Hurrah for Captain Ranzo!

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:39 AM

198 - Reuben Ranzo (II) - Doerflinger - Halyard Shanty


Now, this is a shanty built around the dirtiest "sailor" who ever shipped - Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to the some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers.
Here is the Doerflinger version, his Shantyman sends him to South Georgia, which Stan Hugill think is an anachronism since Antarctic whaling didn't commence until between the two World Wars after the South Sea cachalot became nearly extinct and new-fangled whalers began to search for a blue whale. The song that Stan Hugill mentioned is the "Reuben Ranzo (II)" on page 24 of the Doerflingers - "Shantymen And Shantyboys" (1951).
Mentioned in "Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).


Reuben Ranzo (II) - Doerflinger


Oh, pore old Roving Ranzo,
   - Hay, RANZO, boys, a RANZO!
Oh, pore old Roving Ranzo,
   - RANZO, boys, a RANZO!

*2*
Now, Ranzo he was no sailor.
Now, Ranzo he was no sailor.

*3*
So pore old Roving Ranzo,
So pore old Roving Ranzo,

*4*
Now they shipped him on board of a whaler!
Now they shipped him on board of a whaler!

*5*
Now the captain he liked Ranzo.
Now the captain he liked Ranzo.

*6*
So the captain taugh him how to read and write.
So the captain taugh him how to read and write.

*7*
He taught him navigation.
He taught him navigation.

*8*
When he got his first mate's papers,
When he got his first mate's papers,

*9*
He became a terror to whalers!
He became a terror to whalers!

*10*
He was known all over the world as
He was known all over the world as

*11*
As the worst old bastard on the seas!
As the worst old bastard on the seas!

*12*
He would take his ship to Georgiay,
He would take his ship to Georgiay,

*13*
And there he'd drag for sperm whale.
And there he'd drag for sperm whale.

*14*
He lost the only ship he had.
His first and last and only ship

*15*
Was the "Morgan", and she's known everywhere.
Was the "Morgan", and she's known everywhere.

*16*
Now, he's gone to hell and we're all glad!
Now, he's gone to hell and we're all glad!

*17*
Now, I've told you he was no sailor.
Now, I've told you he was no sailor.

*18*
He was a New York tailor.
He was a New York tailor.

*19*
Whether a tailor or a sailor,
Whether a tailor or a sailor,

*20*
He sure became a Ranzo!
He sure became a Ranzo!

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:40 AM

199 - Poor Old Reuben Ranzo (Cecil Sharp) - Halyard Shanty


Now, this is a shanty built around the dirtiest "sailor" who ever shipped - Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to the some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers.
This version comes from Cecil J. Sharp - "English Folk-Chanteys" (1914), is in Sharps's book in the chapter "Pulling Chanteys" on page 37. Here oryginal comment from Sharp's book:

No. 32. POOR OLD REUBEN RANZO.
Sung by Mr. John Short, at Watchet. This chantey is a very generally known one, and versions of it are to be
found in all the chief Collections. Who Reuben Ranzo was no one seems to know; Mr. Whall suggests that " Ranzo " may be a corruption of " Lorenzo."   

* It is possible that English chanteymen learned the name from Scandinavian sailors, for I am told that Danish
sailors often sing about Daniel Rantzau (1529-69), who commanded the Danish forces in the seven-years (or three- crown) war with Sweden (1563-70).      
Mentioned in "Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).


Poor Old Reuben Ranzo. (Cecil Sharp)


O poor old Reuben Ranzo,
   - RANZO, boys, RANZO!
O poor old Reuben Ranzo,
   - RANZO, boys, RANZO!

*2*
O ! Ranzo was no sailor.
O ! Ranzo was no sailor.

*3*
He shipped on board a whaler.
He shipped on board a whaler.

*4*
He shipped with Captain Taylor.
He shipped with Captain Taylor.

*5*
The man that shot the sailor.
The man that shot the sailor.

*6*
He could not do his duty.
He could not do his duty.

*7*
He couldn't boil the coffee.
He couldn't boil the coffee.

*8*
The Captain being a good man.
The Captain being a good man.

*9*
He taught him navigation.
He taught him navigation.

*10*
We took him to the gratings.
We took him to the gratings.

*11*
And gave him nine and thirty.
And gave him nine and thirty.

*12*
O! That was the end of Ranzo.
O! That was the end of Ranzo.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 08:41 AM

200 - Reuben Ranzo (Patterson version) - Halyard Shanty


Now, this is a shanty built around the dirtiest "sailor" whoever shipped - Reuben Ranzo. This Halyard shanty was one of the most rousing of all of the halyard shanties. This shanty due to the some of the themes was very popular amongst whalers.
Again as Stan Hugill mentioned, if we talk about the most unusual version of any shanty we know that will be usually Patterson's version, the refrains of his shanties in the main being longer than those normally used, and he also has a trick of putting short refrains where normally they don't exist. So yes, reconstructing this shanty will be a really difficult task, and for one hundred percent I'm sure from the time of the published Patterson book, there is no record of this shanty surviving. During the reconstruction of this sea shanty, first of all, I will follow the most faithful reconstruction of this shanty in terms of its usefulness as a halyard shanty.
This version is given to us by J. E. Patterson in "The Sea's Anthology" 1913, labeled this song as 'hoisting'.
Mentioned in "Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 242).


Reuben Ranzo


Sing a song of Ranzo, boys, sing—
   - RANZO, boys, RANZO!
Sing a song of Ranzo, boys, sing—
   - SING a song of RANZO!

*2*
O-o, you know my Ruben Ranzo—
O-o, you know my Ruben Ranzo—

*3*
Ranzo took a notion to sail upon the ocean —
Ranzo took a notion to sail upon the ocean —

*4*
He was a New York tailor, thought he'd be a sailor —
He was a New York tailor, thought he'd be a sailor —

*5*
So he shipped himself on a Yankee whaler—
So he shipped himself on a Yankee whaler—

*6*
She sailed away in a whistling breeze—
She sailed away in a whistling breeze—

*7*
She was bound high up on the northern seas —
She was bound high up on the northern seas —

*8*
O poor Ranzo, thought he'd be a sailor—
O poor Ranzo, thought he'd be a sailor—

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 11:28 AM

Nice work on that website!

https://traditionalshanties.com/

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 12 Jun 22 - 04:09 PM

Stilly River Sage
Thanks for a good word, the website is still evolving, and I have many ideas to implement on this website, please do not hesitate to drop comments on posts, so I can see somebody look at it sometimes :)