Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 30 Jan 21 - 09:18 AM

013 - The Limejuice Ship (Short Horus)

This song is forebitter really but was often used at pumps and sometimes at the capstan.
This version is sung to a similar tune for verses as the "long chorus" version, but with five verses, the fifth one being the long chorus. And the chorus however is shorter.

"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 57, 58).
I will sing this song as a forebitter.


The Limejuice Ship

Now, if ye want a merchant ship to sail the sea at large
Ya'll not have any trouble if ye have a good discharge,
Signed by the Board o' Trade an' ev'rything exact,
For there's nothin' done on a Limejuice ship contrary to the Act.

   Shout, boys, shout! For I tell you it's a fact
   There's nothin' done on a Limejuice ship contrary to the Act.

Now when ye join a merchant ship ye'll hear yer Articles read.
They'll tell ye of yer beef an'pork, yer butter an' yer bread,
Yer sugar, tea an' coffee, boys, yer peas an' beans exact,
Yer limejuice an' vinegar, boys, according to the Act.

No watch an' watch the first day out, according to the Act.
Ten days out we all lay aft to get our limejuice whack.
Fetch out her handy billy, boys, and clap it on the tack,
For we gonna set the mains'l, oh, according to the Act.

Its up the deck, me bully boys, with many a curse we go,
Awaiting to hear eight bells struck that we might go below.
Eight bells is struck, the watch is called, the log is hove exact;
Relieve the wheel an' go below, according to the Act.

So haul, boys, yer weather main brace an' ease a-way yer lee
Hoist jibs an' tops'ls lads an' let the ship go free,
Hurrah, boys, hurrah! We'll sing this Jubilee,
Damn an bugger the Navy, boys, A merchant ship for me!

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 30 Jan 21 - 09:14 AM

012 - The Limejuice Ship (Long Horus)

This song is forebitter really but was often used at pumps and sometimes at the capstan.
The Merchant Shipping Act came out in the year 1894, and in it was laid down the amount of food, water, etc., Sailor was allowed when on shipboard. This doling out of rations was known to him as "Pound and Pint". The Act also covered fines and punishments for delinquent mariners, such as "For concealing Knuckledusters, Slung-shot, sword-stick, etc. 5s. for each day of concealment', and many commandments and regulations in a similar strain. But the item around which the sarcastic song was built was also the origin of the Yanks calling English sailors "Limejuicers." This was the daily issuing of lime juice to British crews when they had been a certain number of days at sea.
Stan Hugill's version of the song is partly that of his father and partly that of a shipmate, Arthur Spencer. The tune is also to be heard in Nova Scotia, the song being one about "Sauerkraut and bully" sung in the Lunenburg dialect.

"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 57, 58).
I will sing this song as a forebitter.



The Limejuice Ship

Now, if ye want a merchant ship to sail the sea at large
Ya'll not have any trouble if ye have a good discharge,
Signed by the Board o' Trade an' ev'rything exact,
For there's nothin' done on a Limejuice ship contrary to the Act.

    So haul, boys, yer weather main brace an' ease a-way yer lee
    Hoist jibs an' tops'ls lads an' let the ship go free,
    Hurrah, boys, hurrah! We'll sing this Jubilee,
    Damn an bugger the Navy, boys, A merchant ship for me!

Now when ye join a merchant ship ye'll hear yer Articles read.
They'll tell ye of yer beef an'pork, yer butter an' yer bread,
Yer sugar, tea an' coffee, boys, yer peas an' beans exact,
Yer limejuice an' vinegar, boys, according to the Act.

No watch an' watch the first day out, according to the Act.
Ten days out we all lay aft to get our limejuice whack.
Fetch out her handy billy, boys, and clap it on the tack,
For we gonna set the mains'l, oh, according to the Act.

Its up the deck, me bully boys, with many a curse we go,
Awaiting to hear eight bells struck that we might go below.
Eight bells is struck, the watch is called, the log is hove exact;
Relieve the wheel an' go below, according to the Act.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 30 Jan 21 - 09:05 AM

011 - So Early In The Morning (C)

Another version of "So Early In The Morning", sung at the capstan and pumps, and usually heard aboard ships in the West Indian Trade.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed. p 57, 58).
The Last Two verses have been added by me, they come from version (A) of the song to extend this song a bit, and give it minimal full song length.



So Early In The Morning (C)


When ye gits to Bristol Town,
drink a health to them chowlah's me boys,
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!
   Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
   Bottle of very good whisky-O!
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!

Now we're bound to Kingston Town,
Where the rum flows round an' round.
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!
   Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
   Bottle of very good whisky-O!
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!

The Mate wuz drunk an' he went below
To take a swing o' his Bottle-O!
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!
   Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
   Bottle of very good whisky-O!
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!

A Tread on me coat, and all-hands-in
A bully good rough an' tumble-O!
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!
   Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
   Bottle of very good whisky-O!
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!

A drinkin' song, a song o' love!
a ditty o' seas and shipmatessing-song-O!
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!
   Bottle-O! Bottle-O!
   Bottle of very good whisky-O!
   So early in the mornin;      
   Sailor love the Bottle-O!

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 30 Jan 21 - 08:17 AM

010 - So Early In The Morning (B)

Miss C. F. Smith writes that it was a favorite in the old Black-wallers. Is opening solo bears a striking resemblance to the shanty "Miss Lucy Long". Stan Hugill claims that is this version he took from Ezra Cobb, a bluenose (Nova Scotian) seamen of the old school, he says: this version was sung only at pumps, although he did say that "Twere used sometimes at caps'n.'
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (p 57).


So Early In The Morning (B)

                      *1*
The bottle-O, the bottle-O, the sailor loves The bottle-O,
    So! early in the morning the sailor loves... his bottle O!
                      *2*
A bottle o' rum, a bottle o' beer, a bottle o' Red-eye whisky-O
    So! early in the morning the sailor likes... his bottle O!

                      *3*
The baccy-O, terbaccy-O, the sailor loves his baccy-O.
    So! early in the morning the sailor loves... his bottle O!

                      *4*
A packet o' shag, a packet o' cut, a plug o' hard terbaccy-O
    So! early in the morning the sailor loves... his bottle O!

                      *5*
The lassies-O, the maidens-O, the sailor loves the judies-O.
    So! early in the morning the sailor loves... his bottle O!

                      *6*
A lass from the 'Pool, a gal from the Tyne, a chowlah so fine an' dandy-O.
    So! early in the morning the sailor loves... his bottle O!

                      *7*
A bully rough-house, a bully rough-house, the sailor likes a rough-house-O
    So! early in the morning the sailor likes... his bottle O!

                      *8*
A Tread on me coat, and all-hands-in, a bully good rough an' tumble-O.
    So! early in the morning the sailor loves... his bottle O!

                      *9*
A sing-song-O, a sing-song-O, the sailor likes a sing-song-O.
    So! early in the morning the sailor likes... his bottle O!

                      *10*
A drinkin' song, a song o' love, a ditty o' seas and shipmatessing-song-O,
    So! early in the morning the sailor loves... his bottle O!

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 30 Jan 21 - 08:10 AM

009 - So Early In The Morning (A)

This is another shanty telling of Sailor's shore amusements. It was used both for halyards and pumps. The first line is the chorus, sung as many shantymen sang the chorus of other shanties, as an introduction when they were in doubt as to whether a greenhorn crowd knew the refrain or not. This version is a Liverpool-Irish one.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (p 52).



So Early In The Morning

    So! early in the mornin: the sailor likes... his bottle O!

                     *1*
The mate was drunken' and he went below to take a swig at his bottle O,
    So! early in the mornin: the sailor likes... his bottle O!

                     *2*
The bottle-O, the bottle-O, the sailor loves his bottle-O,

                     *3*
A bottle o' rum, a bottle o' gin, a bottle o' irish whisky-O

                     *4*
The baccy-O, terbaccy-O, the sailor loves his baccy-O.

                     *5*
A packet o' shag, a packet o' cut, a plug o' hard terbaccy-O

                     *6*
The lassies-O, the maidens-O, the sailor loves the judies-O.

                     *7*
A lass from the 'Pool, a gal from the Tyne, a chowlah so fine an' dandy-O.

                     *8*
A bully rough-house, a bully rough-house, the sailor likes a rough-house-O

                     *9*
A Tread on me coat, and all-hands-in, a bully good rough an' tumble-O.

                   *10*
A sing-song-O, a sing-song-O, the sailor likes a sing-song-O.

                   *11*
A drinkin' song, a song o' love, a ditty o' seas and shipmatessing-song-O,

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 30 Jan 21 - 07:46 AM

008 - The Girl In Portland Street

Another shanty from "Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill,
name "The Girl in Portland Street". Curious shanty related in theme to A-rovin'. Harlow gives us this chantey under the title: "Fal-de-lal-day. This song called "whistling chantey from the fact that the first refrain was sometimes whistled. According to Stan Hugill in sailors version was always sung at pumps, and in this tempo, I will sing this song (however Harlow states this shanty was often sung at the windlass while heaving up the anchor).
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 54, 55).


The Girl in Portland Street


I met a gal in Portland Street,
Fol-de-lol, fol-de-lol, fol-de-lol, lol day, (or else repeat solo with wistle)
I met a gal in Portland Street,
With a fol-de-lol-day, fol-de-lol-day, fol-de-lol-lol-de, lol-de, lol-day!

This gal I met in Portland Street,
Was the sweetest gal I ever did meet.

Sez I, 'Me gal, ,Ow do ye do?'
Sez she, ,The worse for seein' of you.'

'Now, miss,' sez I, 'I like yer style.'
Sez she, 'Young man, just wait a while.'

'Just wait until you try an' play,
And then I’ll send ye on yer way.'

I took her hand into my own,
And we headed soon for her old home.

And in her room, not far away,
We drank until the break o' day.

I pulled her down on my lap,
Sez she, 'Young man, your face I’ll slap.'

On her ankle next I placed my hand,
Says she, for this, I will not stand.'

I pulled her dress above her knee,
Sez she, 'Young man, please let me be.'

'And why did I no further go?
Alas! her leg was cork, you know!'

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 30 Jan 21 - 07:43 AM

007 - The Gals O’ Chile

This chantey is outward-bound anchor song, and a version is also to be found in Captain Robinson's collection; Miss Colcord also gives it, but she had it from Captain Robinson. He gives it the title of "Hero Bangidero", his first and third refrains being "To my hero Bangidero", but this refrain, on his own admission, was never sung - being bawdy, it hat been camouflaged by Stan Hugill.

Stan Hugill left recorded on his album: "A Salty Fore Topman" were singing with Stormalong John, and this is a version of what I try to replicate.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 53).


The Gals O' Chile

To.. Chile's coast we are bound away
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
To.. Chile's coast we are bound away
    (An') we'll dance an all drink pis-co!
We are bound away, at the break o'day,
Where they little Spanish gals are so bright an'gay,
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
    Sing olay for them dago gals! (spanish - dago)

          *2*
An' when we get to Vallipo,
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
An' when we get to Vallipo,
    We'll all drink lots of vino!
Dance the gals up the street with a roll-'n'-go,
Grab 'em round the middle an' we won't let go.
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
    Sing olay for them dago gals!

          *3*
Them gals o'Chile, they are hard to beat.
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
Them gals o'Chile, they are hard to beat.
    (An') we'll dance an all drink pis-co!
From truck to keel they are trim an' sweet,
They're all a-pullin' on the ol' main-sheet.
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
    Sing olay for them dago gals!

          *4*
Them senioritas, they are smart and gay,
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
Them senioritas, they are smart and gay,
    (An') we'll dance an all drink pis-co!
They dance an' drink till the break o' day,
Then clean ye out an' blow yer pay.
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
    Sing olay for them dago gals!

          *5*
Rosita, Anna, and Carmen too,
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
Rosita, Anna, and Carmen too,
    (An') we'll dance an all drink pis-co!
They'll greet ye with a hullabaloo,
An' soon ye'll know what they can do.
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
    Sing olay for them dago gals!

          *6*
My trim little frigate is very smart(sharp) craft,
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
My trim little frigate is very smart craft,
    (An') we'll dance an all drink pis-co!
She's armed to the teeth both fore 'n' aft,
Sharp at the bows with a fine view abaft.
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
    Sing olay for them dago gals!

          *7*

Them ol' senyoras, as we know well,
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
Them ol' senyoras, as we know well,
    (An') we'll dance an all drink pis-co!
They're red-hot divils from the other side o' hell,
An' ye'll niver get a chance for to ring a Chile belle.
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
    Sing olay for them dago gals!

          *8*

When the time comes for to sing farewell,
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
When the time comes for to sing farewell,
    (An') we'll dance an all drink pis-co!
Goodbye to the gals an' our money as well,
Callyo, Caquimbo, an' ol' Corynel.
    Timme heave-ho, hang'er Hi-lo!
    Sing olay for them dago gals!

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 04:30 PM

006 - Go Roving (Capstan Song for the Christiania Packet)

In a fine old Norwegian shanty book called Opsang fra Seilskibstiden —‘Shanties from the Sailing-Ship Days’— D. H. Brochmann gives, as as a few stanzas of the English version, several in Norwegian. This Norwegian version was composed by a Norwegian poet, Henrik Wergelands, a fine character who took many of the obscene shanties of his time and rewrote them, building his themes mainly around some famous ship. In each case he rewrote enough stanzas for a long heave or hoist; in this version of A-Rovin’ —Shanty for the Christiania Packet —he made sixteen verses. Most of his versions are patriotic and nostalgic. After giving the first few stanzas of the usual English version, the text in Opsang explains: ‘. . . these first three verses only are decent. It is now preferable to continue with Wergeland’s version’!

I found full text of this beautiful chantey in: Frederik Barfod.(Udg.),"Brage og Idun, et nordisk Fjærdingårsskrift".
Sommernummer 1841.



GO ROWING
(Capstan Song for the Christiania Packet)

Nu muntres op saa mangt et Sind.
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Nu muntres op saa mangt et Sind.
Paketten er nu halet ind.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

    go roving, go roving,
    Since rovin's bin my ru-i-in,
    We'll go no more a-rovin',
    With you fair maid.

            *2*
Nu stiger Hjertet i vor Barm.
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Nu stiger Hjertet i vor Barm.
Med Styrke løfter sig vor Arm.      
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *3*
Nu ruller Blodet i vort Bryst.
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Nu ruller Blodet i vort Bryst.
Nu heise vi med Kraft og Lyst.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *4*
I Veiret Oxehov'det gaaer.
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
I Veiret Oxehov'det gaaer.
Paa Bryggen endnu flere staaer.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *5*
De undres hvad vel deri er:
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
De undres hvad vel deri er:
om Porter eller Gingerbeer?
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *6*
Men gid vi brygged Porter selv
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Men gid vi brygged Porter selv
af eget Malt og egen Elv!
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *7*
Ja gid vi brygged selv vort Øl!
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Ja gid vi brygged selv vort Øl!
Og drak det saa i Krus af Sølv!
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *8*
Saa drak vi og med bredfuldt Maal
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Saa drak vi og med bredfuldt Maal
Det gjæve gamle Norges Skaal.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *9*
Saa drak vi og med Velbehag
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Saa drak vi og med Velbehag
en Skaal for Norges røde Flag.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *10*
Saa drak vi til vi drak os mæt
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Saa drak vi til vi drak os mæt
en lystig Skaal for vor Paket.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *11*
Tilsidst vi letted paa vor Spunds;
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Tilsidst vi letted paa vor Spunds;
og drak Kapteinens Skaal tilbunds.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *12*
Og altiblandt, med muntre Vers,
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Og altiblandt, med muntre Vers,
vi heise Baller under Mers.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *13*
Og Damen stryger strunk forbi.
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Og Damen stryger strunk forbi.
Hun undres hvad vel er deri.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *14*
Til Tjeneste, der er, Madam!
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Til Tjeneste, der er, Madam!
en Mængde fremmed Modenskram.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *15*
Men gid du gik -- Hurra my boy!
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Men gid du gik -- Hurra my boy!
i eget hjemmevirket Tøi!
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

            *16*
Saa fik du før du gik herfra
    Maerk vel hvad jeg vil si!
Saa fik du før du gik herfra
et ærligmeent Matroshurra.
    I’ll go no more a-rowing with you fair maid

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 10:33 AM

005 - A-Rovin’ (D)

The following version tune, according to Stan Hugill's Book is given only by Terry and Sharp, is probably the older one - it has the jerkiness of all shanties which were sung at the earlier brake-pumps and lever windlasses.
Below the text of the version, I will try to recreate: Lyrics from Shanties from the Seven Seas, by Stan Hugill.


A-ROVIN' (Hugill Version d)

In Amsterdam there lived a maid
    Bless you young women!
In Amsterdam there lived a maid
    Now mind what I do say!
In Amsterdam there lived a maid
    An' she was mistress of her trade
    I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid

   A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's bin me ru-i-in
   I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid

             *2*
I took this fair maid for a walk.
    Bless you, young women!
I took this fair maid for a walk.
    Now mind what I do say!
I took this fair maid for a walk,
An’ we had such a lovin’ talk.
    I’ll go no more, etc.

             *3*
An’ didn’t I tell her stories true,
Of the gold we found in Timbuctoo.

             *4*
But when she’d spent me bloomin’ screw,
She cut her cable an’ vanished too.

Other stanzas with a genuine ring are:

             *5*
I met her walking on the Strand,
Dressed up for to beat the band.

             *6*
In Number One New England Square,
Me Nancy Dawson she lives there.

             *7*
This last ten months I’ve bin to sea,
Ah’ hell, this gal looked good to me.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by 'Shogun'
From: Shogun
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 06:59 AM

004 - A-Rovin’ (C)

Most versions given in print have been camouflaged beyond all recognition, and others are far too sentimental for Sailor John to have sung them. The following version, which I picked up in Port Adelaide, South Australia, has a genuine ring to it. This too omits the ‘Mark well’, etc., refrain, but uses the full tune.
Two verses that are difficult to bowdlerize have been omitted!
The tune of the following version, given only by Terry and Sharp, is probably the older one—it has the jerkiness of all shanties which were sung at the earlier brake-pumps and lever windlasses.
Still too fast tempo, maybe ok for first 10 minutes work on pumps.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 50).


A-ROVIN' (Hugill Version C)

                   *1*
In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
An’ she wuz tall an’ fair.
Her eyes wuz blue, her lips wuz red,
For Salt John’s money, O, she had -a flair.

      I’ll go no more a-rovin’, etc.

                   *2*
But when it came to leavin’ her,
An’ I told her I must go,
She cried a bit, she cursed a bit,
An’ then she cried, ‘Here’s Holy Joe!’

                   *3*
The anchor’s up, our sails are set,
An’ we are homeward bound.
Another gal I never shall see,
Until we reach ol’ Plymouth Sound.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by "Shogun"
From: Shogun
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 02:49 PM

003 - A-Rovin’ (B) - (WITH PRESENTATION)

Anderson, the Scottish carpenter already mentioned, said that in his ship - one of Vickers' big four-masters from Liverpool - the usual method of singing this shanty was as follows.
Note the omission of the refrain "Mark well what I do say!"

Due to my research, I discover a big mismatch of speed on how the shanties are sung in nova days. So the first question is what type of pump has been used when sailors sang this song, Stan Hugill talks about "Downton" pump, so I did research everywhere to find the movie showing sailors at work, and it was the only one which looks sensible to me is the movie you can find on YouTube the title "Traditional bilge pump worked on James Craig tall ship". This will be a template to me when I will sing all "Downton" Shanties such as "Lowlands" family, "Strike The Bell" and so on.
Last Clarification, the "Downton" pump is a bilge pump. Downton is the name of the inventor of the pump of that type. The important distinction is the method of operation, not whether or not the pump is exactly the same as Downton's invention. The method is to turn a wheel. This can be distinguished from previous methods of operation, including the type of pump that has "hand brakes" on each side of the pump. Hugill is making reference to this when he says "old-fashioned levers" (1961, pf. 45).
Conclude this version will be sung in exact as possible (probably forgotten decades ago), tempo and way of singing pump shanty.


A-ROVIN' (B)
(alternate titles: Amsterdam or The Maid of Amsterdam)

                *1*
In Amsterdam there lived a maid
And she was mistress of her trade
       We'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid

       A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's bin me ru-i-in
       We'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid

                *2*
One night I crept from my abode
To meet this fair maid down the road.
       We'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.

       A-rov-in', a-rovin', Since rovin's bin me ru-i-in,
       We'll go no more a-rovin', With you, fair maid.

               *3*
I met this fair maid after dark,
An' took her to her favourite park.

               *4*
I took this fair maid for a walk,
An' we had such a lovin' talk.

               *5*
I put me arm around her waist,
Sez she, 'Young man, yer in great haste!'

               *6*
I put me hand upon her knee,
Sez she, 'Young man, yer rather free!'

               *7*
I put me hand upon her thigh,
Sez she, 'Young man, yer rather high!'

               *8*
I towed her to the Maiden's Breast,
From south the wind veered wes'sou'west [sou'sou'west].

               *9*
An' the eyes in her head turned east an' west,
And her thoughts wuz as deep as an ol' sea-chest.

             *10*
We had a drink—of grub a snatch,
We sent two bottles down the hatch.

             *11*
Her dainty arms wuz white as milk,
Her lovely hair wus soft as silk.

             *12*
Her heart wuz poundin' like a drum,
Her lips wuz red as any plum.

             *13*
We laid down on a grassy patch,
An' I felt such a ruddy ass.

             *14*
She pushed me over on me back,
She laughed so hard her lips did crack.

             *15*
She swore that she'd be true to me,
But spent me pay-day fast and free.

             *16*
In three weeks' time I wuz badly bent,
Then off to sea I sadly went.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by "Shogun"
From: Shogun
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 01:52 PM

002 - A-Rovin’ (A2)

The song I do recreate here is a version taken from "Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill, name of the version is: A-Rovin' (a), is printed on page 46 (US Edition published in 1994 by Mystic Seaport). But the beginning of this melody is from the first edition of the book from the beginning of page 50 (between versions b and c, ok I know it sounds complicated, haha but it's true).
W. B. Whall, Master Mariner in his "Ships, Sea Songs and Shanties(Glasgow, James Brown & Son, Publishers, 1910), mentioned is that: "The motive of this favorite sea song is very old indeed, and appears (in slightly varying forms) in many writings, e.g., in Thomas Heywood's Rape of Lucrece (first performed in London in 1630).

As far as I'm aware the record of this song singing by Stan Hugill didn't survive. The oldest record I found is A-Rovin' (Recorded 1947) by Leonard Warren.
… A-Rovin was originally sung at the pumps and old-fashioned windlass. In both labors - at the pump and at the windlass - two long leavers were worked up and down by the men: a back-breaking job. … Stan Hugill.
NOTE! - this tempo is a little too quick for work on pumps, the next version will be slightly slower much closer to actual work on "Downton - pump".

Below you can find the full text of this beautiful song.


A-Rovin' (A)

In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
Mark well what I do say!
In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
An' she wuz mistress of her trade,
We'll go no more a-ro-o-vin' with you fair maid.

A-rovin', a-rovin',
Since rovin's bin my ru-i-in,
We'll go no more a-rovin',
With you fair maid.

One night I crept from my abode,
Mark well what I do say!
One night I crept from my abode,
To meet this fair maid down the road.
We'll go no more a-ro-o-vin' with you fair maid.

A-rovin', a-rovin',
Since rovin's bin my ru-i-in,
We'll go no more a-rovin',
With you fair maid.

I met this fair maid after dark,
An' took her to her favourite park.

I took this fair maid for a walk,
An' we had such a lovin' talk.

I put me arm around her waist,
Sez she, "Young man, yer in great haste!"

I put me hand upon her knee,
Sez she, "Young man, yer rather free!"

I put my hand upon her thigh,
Sez she, "Young man, yer rather high!"

I towed her to the Maiden's Breast,
From south the wind veered wes'sou'west

An' the eyes in her head turned east an' west,
And her thoughts wuz as deep as an ol' sea-chest.

We had a drink - of grub a snatch,
We sent two bottles down the hatch.

Her dainty arms wuz white as milk,
Her lovely hair wuz soft as silk.

Her heart wuz poundin' like a drum,
Her lips wuz red as any plum.

We laid down on a grassy patch,
An' I felt such a ruddy ass.

She pushed me over on me back,
She laughed so hard her lips did crack.

She swore that she'd be true to me,
But spent me pay-day fast and free.

In three weeks' time I wuz badly bent,
Then off to sea I sadly went.

In a bloodboat Yank bound round Cape Horn,
Me boots an' clothes wuz all in pawn.

Bound round Cape Stiff through ice an' snow,
An' up the coast to Callyo.

An' then back to the Liverpool Docks,
Saltpetre stowed in our boots an' socks.

Now when I got back home from sea,
A soger had her on his knee.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties by "Shogun"
From: Shogun
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 01:18 PM

001 - A-Rovin (a)

The only difference between this version and version (a2) from page: 46 of the book, is this melody line of the first verse. I think this melody line changes a lot in the climate of the song, so this is a reason why I decided to record it in full, also tempo will be pumping chantey one.
Still too fast tempo, maybe ok for first 10 minutes work on pumps.
Lyrics from Shanties from the Seven Seas, by Stan Hugill.


A-Rovin'

In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
Mark well what I do say!
In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
An' she wuz mistress of her trade,
We'll go no more a-ro-o-vin' with you fair maid.

A-rovin', a-rovin',
Since rovin's bin my ru-i-in,
We'll go no more a-rovin',
With you fair maid.

One night I crept from my abode,
Mark well what I do say!
One night I crept from my abode,
To meet this fair maid down the road.
We'll go no more a-ro-o-vin' with you fair maid.

A-rovin', a-rovin',
Since rovin's bin my ru-i-in,
We'll go no more a-rovin',
With you fair maid.

I met this fair maid after dark,
An' took her to her favourite park.

I took this fair maid for a walk,
An' we had such a lovin' talk.

I put me arm around her waist,
Sez she, "Young man, yer in great haste!"

I put me hand upon her knee,
Sez she, "Young man, yer rather free!"

I put my hand upon her thigh,
Sez she, "Young man, yer rather high!"

I towed her to the Maiden's Breast,
From south the wind veered wes'sou'west

An' the eyes in her head turned east an' west,
And her thoughts wuz as deep as an ol' sea-chest.

We had a drink - of grub a snatch,
We sent two bottles down the hatch.

Her dainty arms wuz white as milk,
Her lovely hair wuz soft as silk.

Her heart wuz poundin' like a drum,
Her lips wuz red as any plum.

We laid down on a grassy patch,
An' I felt such a ruddy ass.

She pushed me over on me back,
She laughed so hard her lips did crack.

She swore that she'd be true to me,
But spent me pay-day fast and free.

In three weeks' time I wuz badly bent,
Then off to sea I sadly went.

In a bloodboat Yank bound round Cape Horn,
Me boots an' clothes wuz all in pawn.

Bound round Cape Stiff through ice an' snow,
An' up the coast to Callyo.

An' then back to the Liverpool Docks,
Saltpetre stowed in our boots an' socks.

Now when I got back home from sea,
A soger had her on his knee.


About Pump Shanty:
On the sailing ship, there were two types of bilge pumps:
First, the older one was a pump with two handles where pumping happens by crew placed on opposite sites, each site worked two to four sailors. When sailors from one site had a handle above the head, another site was on the level of the ankles on the opposite side. In this case, the pumping shanties pace was as follows: the first tact, pulling the handle to the waist, the second pushing it up, the third pushing down to the waist, the fourth lowering it down to the ankles.
Old Type Leaver Pump


The second type of pump:
it operated on the principle of two flywheels, where the sailors on the opposite side rotated their handles on the flywheels to make the work lighter. This pump calls the Downton pump.

In this type of pump, sailors installed on ends of bars ropes (bell-rope), to make the job easier by taking more sailors involved in pumping. In this 0.25 min of this super unique movie you can watch real pumping with bell ropes: bell ropes pumping work.

Subject: RE: Discovering world legacy of shanties -Brzezinski
From: Shogun
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 12:10 PM

Chapter one - "Shanties telling of John's ShoreActivities; of the Gals; of Booze and Limejuice; Shanghaiing; the Lowlands Family; the Stormalong Group; Mexico and Rio; the Sacramento and California; Goodbyes and Hurrahs".

Subject: RE: Discovering the world legacy of shanties
From: Shogun
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 12:08 PM

Stan Hugill's "Shanties From the Seven Seas"

for my recordings and work, I will be using the first edition of the above work (published 1961).

will be the first book I am going to sing all the shanties out of this "shantymen bible". If possible, I will try posting shanties along with a description.

Subject: Discovering the world legacy of shanties
From: Shogun
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 11:56 AM

The full title of the thread is: Discovering the world legacy of shanties and forebitters by Jerzy "Shogun" Brzezinski.


This thread is about my discovery of an almost forgotten world of shanties and forebitters. In my opinion, an authentic shanty, sung in the same way as it was done on the decks of the merchant navy of the golden age of the sail, hardly exists anymore.

Authenticity has been completely forgotten. Slowly over the years, the authenticity has been replaced by beautiful performances and catchy arrangements. It happened as I suppose thanks to the desire to please as many people as possible. Unfortunately, thanks to this, the connection between the original genuine shanties and the modern successors are getting weaker if it still exists.

The goal of my passion is to try to recreate the forgotten songs of work in the way they were sung during the period when they performed their task, which was to consolidate efforts during work that was beyond human strength. Shanties were the factor that made the sailors believe that they could cope with the task. A strenuous task followed by another and another.

Of course, you can find various types of shanties, which are very authentic, for example, they are also modeled on or are helpful to me, I would like to thank all their creators and the performer for their help and inspiration.

The main goal is to record the shanties that have been written in the greatest works of world collectors such as Stan Hugill, Joanna C. Colcord, Cecil Sharp, Frederic Peace Sharp, William Doerflinger, and so on.
The first work where I'm going to record all the songs, without exception, is Stan Hugill's "Shanties From the Seven Seas".

I will try to record all the shanties without any arrangement, only maybe in the background you will hear the noise of mosaics or storms, however, each of the shanties will be sung with the thought of the work it was used for, I will try to explore each task as much as possible, of course as the imagination will allow. All forgotten things that were special to shanties, such as pace, effort in pulling, heaving, or spinning, will be reminded by me.

Unfortunately, I do not have a gang, so as long as I play the shanties myself, maybe one day someone will want to take part in my project, then the crew will respond by singing the chorus. The content of this thread will be shanties, a link to my performance, and a description of the song from the first to the last of each subsequent work taken as the subject of research.