August Shanty Session at the Press Room

Subject: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 01:24 PM

Saturday, 9 August is the date for the next monthly shanty/forebitter session at the Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth NH, from 3:30 to 7:30 PM. We had a good turnout for the July gathering, despite Brett's absence, and hope for an even better time this month.

Also, for those who can get to Portsmouth earlier, the "Jeanie Johnston," a replica of the 19th c. Irish famine ship will be in town and open to visitors. You can get more information here.
I will also try to extend an invitation to the crew to come join us. Meanwhile, watch this thread for further details. Looking forward to seing you -- Tom

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 02:07 PM

Tom et al-

Looks like we're passing on going to the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival this summer. So, we'll be joining you on Saturday.

Maybe we'll come early and visit the "Jeanie Johnston." I'm not sure I have any tasteful songs to commemorate a famine relief ship, rickity-tickity-tin!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, on his way to the Roll & Go Wells' concert

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 09:43 PM

Hmmm - interesting; I wondered about the lyrics in a David Kincaid rendition of "Opinion of Pattie Macghee" in which he alluded to in his "Irish Volunteer" album;

"... 'Twas America's Doctors who sent over the waters
The ships that were laden with corn and wheat."

and sentiments of Irish gratitude for American relief efforts during the famine.

Some stime ago, while perusing one of my musty old Civil-War period History Books, I came accross an account of Food being delivered to the starving Irish sometime around 1847, I think it was - not in cargo or Merchant vessels, but in the holds of fully armed Warships of the United States Navy!

It seems that the British were, as Stalin did to Russians some 100 years later, intentionally exploiting the famine, if not exacerbating it far beyond it's natural causes, in order to essentially commit systematic genocide against the Native Irish people.

The Crown apparently had a Naval blockade around Irelands' coasts to prevent "outsiders" from trying to break the famine, it was working so well. The American Navy, in relieving the Irish, broke the British blockade with military force - or at least the threat thereof - and who knows how close we might have come to a third war with England within a Century had they tried to stop the Yankee fleet?

Now I find it interesting that at no time in my life prior to this have I ever heard of this incident, despite being in adulthood somewhat of a "History Freak".

Could it be, that around the turn of the 19th Century, America and Great Britan had "made up" sufficiently so that some of the more embarrassing chapters of our mutual English Culture's History (like State-sponsored genocide against Indians here and Irish there) were politely "forgotten about"? Books stopped publishing them, and Teachers stopped teaching about them. Within a generation or two, they would, for all intents and purposes, have lapsed from the collective memory.

Except perhaps to unexpectedly re-appear years later in the words of an old song or two here and there... or the pages of an overlooked old History Text mouldering away in an attic somewhere.

I'll have to check out that link about the ship/boat; looks interesting.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 10:54 PM

A quick google search tells me that a U.S. Navy ship the Constellation brought famine relief to Ireland in 1880. As is often the case, there was plenty of food in Ireland. It was bad public policy which allowed so many who were dependent on a single crop do die from the effects of starvation, usually fever. I would like to see more Uncle Jaque if you come up with anything.

Brían

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 07:24 PM

Portsmouth gets a fair amount of historical ship visits. Over the past several years we've had the opportunity to see the Nina, the Lynx, the Bounty, and a number of other reproduction crafts. We also have locally a reproduction gundalow.

It's nice that one of them is coinciding with the sea music singaround.

Linn

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 12:07 AM

If I'm not mistaken, Brian, the "Constellation" was supposed to be a "Sister Ship" to the "Constitution", although there is some controversy about that. She served in the War of 1812, was rebuilt at one point, and served as part of the Blockading Fleet during the Civil War. She is (or pretty much has) been extensively restored and at last report is on display in Baltimore.

I wonder if some of the "wheat and corn" the Navy brought was for seed stock as well as for food, so that the Irish Farmers would have an alternative crop to potatos which, obviously, weren't doing all that well. Whatever it was, I get the distinct impression that the Royal Navy wasn't at all thrilled that the Irish were getting anything, and only stood aside after looking down the muzzles of some ominous Yankee iron. During the 1812 affair, the Brits generally kicked American butt on the water - but by the time of the Mexican War the Yankee Navy was one which even the Limeys sat up and paid attention to.

It was some sort of "International incedent", perhaps not far from a war, but one which somehow got "covered up" and all but erased from the jorunal of World History some way or another.

Are you sure that was 1880? I was under the impression that the famine was earier than that - 1840's. By the Civil War the USS Constellation was one of the oldest American Warships still serving on the Fleet, and by 1880 I would be amazed if she was still on active duty.

One point indicitcave of at least a modicum of British compassion was that if Native Irish people could manage a way to immigrate, they were apparently allowed to go as an option to starving to death or dying of the rampant diseases. Helluvva choice, but it was better than what the Russian dissidents got 100 years later under Stalin, wasn't it?

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 09:04 AM

Uncle Jacque-

The USS Constellation was built about the same time as the USS Constitution but was never a "sister" ship; she was a smaller 38-gun frigate rather than the imperial-sized 44-gun model. The Constitution's sisters were the President and the United States.

The Civil War era Constellation was an entirely new ship, a corvette, although the Navy kept the same name and may have done so to confuse Congress that they were merely repairing the old ship. People in Baltimore and elsewhere were confused for years about this question but it seems to have been put to rest after her latest renovation.

The Constellation was still in commission in the 1880's as a training ship, and I seem to remember reading that she did do a run as a relief ship for Irish famine.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 09:21 AM

Will SEPTEMBER never get here? *sigh* looking forward to *next* month...

Subject: RE: Drifting (with the tide?) OT...
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 11:11 AM

Thanks for the update on the "Constellation", Cpt. Charlie!

I don't usually get "Wooden Boat" but picked one up a year or more ago that had a very interesting article about her restoration. That stuff facinates me, and I'd love to work on a project like that some day.

It seems that the article mentioned the argument over whether she was extensively rebuilt or a new ship that used a few spare parts from the old one - which indeed seems to be the case.

Do you know if they ever put the restoration / replica (another rather gray area, apparently) out to sea or intend to visit other Ports?
If she ever comes to Portland I may have to make the trip down there to check it out!
I've read where local Civil War Reenactors serve as "Crew" down in Baltimore on special occasions.

For really definitive answers on any of this nautical trivia, Cpt. Bunker is the man to ask; I don't think that there is much he doesn't know about that stuff. If it carries more than a quarter-acre of sail, he's probably sailed aboard her and is an old compadre of the Captain.

I might be down your way later today - I need some pine tar to make up a batch of Old fashioned "Down East Deck Wash" with which to annoint an outhouse I'm building for our campsite up in Winthrop.
Hopefully, the porcupines will not acquire a taste for it!

Hanson Marine on Fore St. seems to be the only place in the area that carries it - that's in your "'Hood", isn't it?

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 12:44 PM

Uncle Jacque-

You're probably looking for Hamilton Marine on Fore Street, next to Portland Yacht Services. Munjoy Hill used to be my neighborhood, but now I'm up the Kennebec in Richmond.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,Sharon of Gray
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 01:02 PM

Charley and Uncle Jacque,

You should definitely talk to Stevens B. about the Constellation. A friend of ours, Geoffrey Footner, has written a carefully-researched, much-heralded book about the Constellation's history. Whether or not the ship that proudly sits in Baltimore harbor today is the original may be a matter of one's philosophy regarding what constitutes an original or a restoration or what have you.

Steve and Footner have had lively arguments about this issue. The matter, I suspect, will never be easily settled.

By the way, a couple of years ago, Steve officiated in a wedding aboard the Constellation. Even the bridegroom donned appropriate uniform for the ceremony.

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 07:28 PM

Hey MMario --

The second Saturday in September is the sea music singaround, but the LAST weekend in September is the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival with TWO sea music singarounds -- Saturday at The Press Room before the evening concert, and Sunday at Jack Quigley's Pub a block away -- plus lots of other sea music going on downtown during the weekend.

The website doesn't have all the information yet, but it's at http://www.folkhorizons.org

Linn

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 10:03 PM

I posted in the Civil War / Irish immigrant Thread running concurrently with this one:

Irish ACW / Immigrant Music Thread

...letting the participants therein know about this relevant topic and suggesting that we take the discussion of US Navy Ships in the Irish Relief operations of the 1840's over there, where some very interesting feedback has already come in.

Charlie - You're right, Sir; HAMILTON Marine it is!
I didn't get down today; was just getting going on construction of the epic "Uncle Jaque Memorial Pavillion" out in the driveway, and down came the rain, so I had to wing the blue tarp over it (the roof yet awaiting final development) and retreat indoors to check the E-mail. The next thing I know, it's 3PM! I did manage to get to the Dump, however, and score some decent 2X4's (or they will be after I pull a few pounds of nails out of them) and a whole sheet of 1/2" plywood some Citizen had thrown away (there were 2, but I only got one stuffed into "Old Red" as they were trying to close the dump). Not only that but I got a chunk of plywood just the right dimentions for the front of the "settee"; It's a little dinged up from where they stuffed it down into the dumpster with the bucket-loader, but I won't have to cut it or nuthin', jus' nail 'er up!
The top piece I will be a little more fussy over; splinters, you know.

I'm making my monumental edifice in modular form so we can bring it up to camp in sections and put it together over the hole like an oversized legg0-toy, and all screwed together (if not up) so it can be dismantlificated when and if we ever get running water and indoor plumbing up there - which frankly, I can wait for. I like things a little backwards and sorta old-fashioned, ye know.

Gosh; if I get it assemblified and constructicated in time for the Gray Chanty Hoot on the 16th, we might want to erecticate it somewhere on the BUNKER/BONDROFF Ranch to provide some relief to their indoor facilities. I reckon a bunch of Mudcatters would break 'er in real good, don't ye suppose?

Of course we'd need a pretty fair hole in the ground over which to perch said edifice, and acquire the good graces (or successfully elude detection by) the Local Authorities / Zoning Board / EPA etc. who tend to get a little fussy about such things these days.

Shucks; if my theory works, we can have it dismantled, back in the truck, and outta town before the sun comes up the next Mornin'.
Any Volunteers to cover the hole back up and camoflage the site?

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 08:24 AM

For an update on the arrival of the "Jeanie Johnston" go here.

With regard to the PMFF, the Sunday session at Quigly's will be more of a showcase for perfomers than a sing-around, while the Saturday Press Room session will be more inclusive.

Still looking forward to seeing lots of you this Saturday -- Tom

Subject: RE: last weekend of september
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 08:28 AM

yeah - I know about last weekend - but I've got conflicts. Gotta take what I can.

Second weekend there's a friday night sing-around too, isn't there?

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 09:39 AM

The Friday evening sessions, now approaching their twentieth year, start around 4 - 4:15 and go till 9:00 more or less Hope you can make it M Mario!

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 02:33 AM

By the way, if anyone out there has children or grandchildren, I would highly recommend the Portsmouth Children's Museum--for it's size, it's one of the best I've seen. And I also highly recommend the Friday night Press Room sessions.


Aloha,
Mark
who will eventually get around to sending in the pictures from last month's session...

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 07:39 AM

G'day, me hearties, an interesting thread.

Uncle Jaque - could you provide more detail on your "Capt Bunker", please. The family (both British and American) were involved in whaling here in the Southern Ocean. There's Bunker Islets, here on Stewart Island (NZ) - as well as other places round the world.

Somewhere in this thread (or one of the links) I came across a reference to a boat type I didn't know. Thanks to Goolgle, I know now what a Gundalow is - a great site. Shucks, you can even buy a 3-D Gundalow Weather Vane

It's OK for you folk, who live close to major historic seaports, and get to see tall ships on a regular basis. I've got to be happy with a 'virtual visit' to the Jeanie Johnson Replica.. At least Soren Larsen has visited a few times. Our own sail-training ship Spirit of NZ visits once a year, but seldom berths. Hopefully she still has the Spirit of Stewart Island hanging from the stern davits. She's an aluminium Stabi-Craft dinghy, built just over Foveaux Strait in Invercargill. It was donated by our SI Lions Club - having just come back from a Lions meeting I feel pretty proud of it - there's only 20 of us in the Club.

Last year Endeavour "steamed" into the Bay, sails up, but flapping. She fired a shot, and departed. Quite appropraite, as we were celebrating the formation and opening of Rakiura National Park, which covers 90% of our 640 sq mile Island.

All the above has little to do with your shanty session - blame Uncle Jaque for starting the scuttlebut. To get back to music, I've added some background info to this Davy Lowston thread, which may help those who sing that fine NZ song - our first non-Maori one. The best info is my late-mate Frank Fyfe's dissertaion on the NZ Folk site.

"Take me back to the 60s - I'm LOST" - attrib either Mike Seeger or Tom Paley's guitar case.

Cheers - Sam in NZ

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 09:41 AM

Sam-

We'd really like to hear you as a special guest at the China Sea Marine Trading Company/Roll & Go party we're having at Capt. Bunker's house on Saturday, August 16th (Revive party thread for more info). I'm sure you and he would have a great time swapping yarns and songs. However, I think the only way that will happen is by cellphone or via Mudcat.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 10:28 AM

Jeanie Johnston: 16 voyages carring over 2,500 immigrants and no lives lost due to disease or illness at sea. One baby born, named after the captain and the ship (Nicholas Johnston). Definitely a remarkable history. Deserving of a song. I'm certainly going to get down to Portsmouth early enough to take the tour.

I also read in the Portsmouth Herald yesterday that 5 young folks have won a berth on the ship and that at least one is a member of the University of New Hampshire Chantey (something-or-other with the word 'docent' in it) - a concertina player. Perhaps we should let them know about the seasongsing at the Press Room.

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 11:41 AM

The young concertina player that Jeri mentioned is Tyler King. He's been to a couple Friday night sessions and very bravely jumped in with a song or two. I think he's only been back once though since he got the Crabb English at auction last December. I'll be sending him a "congrats" note this AM with a reminder about the Saturday session, although I'm not sure how many trips his folks want to make from Alton Bay this weekend.

I'm also going to try to get down to the "JJ" on Friday with some flyers for the crew. But since the tours run from 10 AM to 6:30 PM, I'm not sure how many can get to all but the end of the session; perhaps they work in shifts -- Tom

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 11:52 AM

Ah - so THAT'S who it is! I remember him from the Press Room and I remember him getting the concertina. Thanks Tom.

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 01:14 PM

Just slightly over forty eight hours to go and I have scant feedback as to who's actually coming to sing. Sinsull? Kendall? Barry? Uncle Jaque? Heely?

However, it is more important to see you at the Press Room than to see you post here -- Tom

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 06:51 PM

Kendall is iffy. He has a bad shoulder made worse by a cortisone injection. I am awaiting family news and will react accordingly. Sorry I can't promise to be there, but if I am I will sing for my supper.
SINS

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 08:58 PM

To yo-yo back to the Irish famine relief strand of this thread, I believe the USS Jamestown was one of the Navy ships that carried food to Ireland in the 1840s. I never knew it was in the face of British guns. She has her own traditional song, which does not, however, mention her role in feeding the Irish: The Jamestown Homeward Bound.

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 12:49 AM

Well, I can't be there this friday BUT!

I just got word that I am signed up for the course in the Washington DC area this coming October! So I WILL be going to the Getaway!

See some of ye there!

Brett

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 06:19 AM

I won't be able to make it this time, but I will be sure to catch up with you folks soon!

Brían

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 10:11 AM

Tom-

I suspect that the Jeanie Johnston's crew takes a break for lunch, maybe half and half between 12-noon and 2, which might be a good time to touch base with them. I'll try to swing by early myself on Saturday and check her out.

Can't get any of the other Roll & Go crew to come this time. They're like a bunch of barnacles sometimes!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 11:33 AM

Thanks Charley -- I was hoping to stop in at the "JJ" this AM, but it was just too bleeding WET! See you tomorrow -- Tom

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 02:59 PM

Domestic Management was hoping to spend the weekend up at our "new" Camp site on Berry Pond in Winthrop, but the forecast is for more of the same soggy weather apparently, so alternative plans might be an option.

One of our little "Wooly Boogers" (Yorkshire Terrier / Toy Poodle mutts) has been ailing and is spending the night in Doggie-Hospital.
The Vet doesn't think that it's anything serious but she is dehydrated and on I.v..

Then on the return trip from the Vet's, the brakes on "Old Red" the Plymouth Voyager Dump Wagon faded and the red "BRAKE!" light came on... so Sat. is shaping up to be complicated.

So as much as I desire to attend one of these Press Room things, it's looking like a real looooooong shot!

"Billy the Bus";
   I don't know about any relation between Cpt.Stevens BUNKER and the Whaling Cpt. you mention - but I would be really surprised if he didn't know about him!

Cpt. "Bunk" is a virtual walking encyclopedaiea on Nautical History, Military History, and a wide spectrum of other subjects. In the fine old art of Story-Telling he is expert, and can keep you spellbound for hours with his tales from an extensive and colorful personal experience or History.

   He is, without a doubt, the most interesting man I am currently acquainted with, and I feel quite priviledged to know him - not to mention living in reasonable proximity!

"Bunk" and/or his First Mate Sharon are known to check in to these threads from time to time, and might respond directly to your inquery.

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 03:07 PM

Unc, I'm beginning to believe you're a figment of my imagination! Get your Bush-loving butt down here!!! Hi-jack Charley or sumpthin'.

Capt Bunker is one of those rare folks who has lived a life full of first rate stories AND has the skill to spin them into a subtle, glittering web to catch the imaginations of those who listen. I'm looking forward to hearing more of them.

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 04:23 PM

Bless you, Jeri Deah!

Plenty of people WISH I were a "figment of their imagination", it seems!

You are wonderously gracious to welcome me despite my many faults, idiosyncracies, and rather unpopular if not anathema (in some circles, at least) ideaological sentiments.

I was just reflecting to Cpt. Steve about how I enjoy hanging with a few fairly diverse crowds, and as interesting and intellectually stimulating & broadening as that can be, it can present certain challenges in the way of social dynamics from time to time.

If there is a commonality between "Folkies" which might rise to the level of a stereotype of sorts, my observation suggests that it might be this;

"Folk Musicians" seem, in the majority at least, to be Persons of Passion.

Might you concur with that observation?

I find myself drawn to this genre because I have loved it since my earliest recollections of childhood, and continue to love it. It's wired into my synapses, or genes, or Spirit... or something.

And i have long felt a certain kinship with others who are drawn to the Song, and strongly sense a common driving, burning passion of some sort.

But alas, sometimes because, perhaps, of unique, individual experience, association, education or whatever, passion becomes directed in different directions. Such divergent "fields of fire" can and often do engender conflict and hard feelings not at all conducive to wholesome relationships.
And I find myself regretting that dynamic more often than not.

Passion can be very energizing - but it is also quite volatile, and like a pocket full of hand grenades, is not carried about without a modicum of risk.

Dispensing with the (sometimes dubious) Gift of Passion is not the answer, I opine - and for most of us is probably not even an option.
In many ways we are not only driven, but defined by our passion, and would be greivously diminished without it.

So what I attempt to do - among all of the various "crowds" that I "hang with" - is to remain open and sensitive to whatever margins of commonality shared with people I interact with over a fairly wide and diverse spectrum of types and styles, and both celebrate and nurture them whenever and wherever found.

As to our areas of divergence... well, I have to set certain limits, I've found - usually the hard way.

If someone is overtly attacking me or someone I care about, or attempting to control me without a legitimate reason, then all bets are off as to seeking commonality or understanding.
There is a side of me that very few people know about, and only glimpses of it have been seen on rare occasion over the past 54 years, as I manage to suppress it in the vast majority of circumstances.
Nobody on this forum has ever seen it, and I hope you never do. By the Grace of God no one ever will.

Short of that...

One option is to tactfully overlook or "ignore" those discordant areas whenever socially appropriate.
Perhaps an example is when I attempt (not always as successfully as I'd like) to "keep politics stowed in my sea-bag" at a function where I know that most of the participants and I share a lot more in common in the Music than we might in our "politics".
Just as it would probably not be appropriate for me to burst out into a lusty Sea Chanty in the middle of the State Convention of a certain political party you might be familiar with... but which discretion bids me the mentioning of it's name to forbear... };^{)~

Another is to engage in rational dialouge, if that's an option.

There are only so many people I dare attempt this with, however, as lacking a certain level of emotional maturity most people will reflexively resort to emotion, rhetoric, and such - none of which is usually conducive to healthy relationhips, mutual growth, a good time, or Peace in the Kingdom.

If anyone with half a brain believes in something, especially if it is with a passion, there is usually a pretty good reason, I figure.
In order to approach some understanding, I like to investigate just what that reason might have been.
It might not be sufficient to cause me to alter or modify my opinion (and, Lord knows, I have a few) but a modicum of understanding usually helps.

Everybody has a story, and the more of them I hear, the less of an idiot i am, perhaps.

Enough Philosophy for now, eh?

Suffice it to say, Jeri (and other dear MC Friends); you and your voice, your Heart, and your Spirit are always great inducements for me to join you whenever I can... which alas, due to the capricious realities of Life, is not nearly as often as I would like to!

   Pretty good chance for the 16th, though - let's keep our fingers crossed!

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 08:14 PM

Passion: without it, you're just a lugie on the sidewalk of life.

One thing that used to infuriate me about my father was that he'd get a really good argument going and smile through the whole thing. The more pissed off I got, the more he smiled. I mentioned how expasperated I'd get to my mom and said "He doesn't take it seriously." "No," she replied, "He's enjoying it." Point taken: what was messed up was that I was too serious, NOT that he wasn't. It wasn't that he didn't care about things, but he didn't think anger made anything better. Sometimes I could do with remembering that.

There's rational discussion, and then there's point-scoring. I tend to notice the latter very quickly these days, no matter who's doing it.

I wrote:

Chorus:

Shut up and sing
Music's the thing
It's the reason we're here
And our time is not long
So please shut up and give us a song

I heard some folks talking about their professions
Do you go to your meetings and burst out in song?
Perhaps you can just quickly jot down some lyrics
About the accountant who once done you wrong!

There's more, but I may do this tomorrow as I found a way to make it sea-song compatable.

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 10:14 PM

Excellent point, Jeri; maintaining a certain sense of humor can be most helpful - if not requisite - to emotional survival. Not just as we relate to others, but with ourselves as well.

It seems that folks who take themselves very seriously don't spend a lot of time smiling, do they?

As to the "point counting" dialouge; we live in a Game-Oriented culture to some extent, and we are raised in the main to strive to "win" by making someone - if not everyone else - "lose".
I call it the "Football mentality", in which we are segregated into two basic social orders; the "Winners" and the "Losers". So I suppose that competitive behavior is somewhat innate to our species.

Personally, I see the social morphosis from "competition" to "cooperation" as the primary model of human interaction, as a positive developmental, if not evolutionary, passage.

Your "Shut Up and Sing" poem/song certainly has potential!

Where there's communication, there's usually Hope, I reckon - and Music is certainly a marvelous form of communication, to be sure.

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:55 AM

Well everyone must still be in bed. I just wanted to say i had a good time at the session even though I originally said I wouldn't be coming.

The Jeanne Johnson was really worth seeing. I tried to imagine 200 people or so crowded on there and imagined it must have been unbearable at times considering the lack of bathing facilities and the like. The ability to get up on deck for periods of time in good weather must have been really appreciated. On of the interpreters told me that the crew would have been about 17 sailors. When I looked at all the cavas and rigging that needed to be tarred and the okam that needed to be picked as well as the regular sailing duties, the crew must have been pretty busy.

My nephew Liam said how much he enjoyed coming to the session and wonders how I get to know so many people. We were trying to remember songs on the walk back from the Jeannie Johnson and he remembers COCLES AND MUSSELS, THE IRISH ROVER and TOORA LOORA LOORA which he remembers from his grandmother singing and his father. We'll get him down to the Press Room yet!

Brían

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 03:53 PM

It was a small but dedicated gathering at the Press Room yesterday. In addition to Brian and his family, there was Tom, Linn, Barry, Jeri, Carol, Alan, Rosaline, my wife Judy, and who was that big fellow next to Barry at the table?

No one destroyed their vocal chords, although there was an ocassional false start as people attempted to gauge their key inappropriately to that of the air conditioning system.

Australia seemed to appear in many of the songs in some form or other: "South Australia," "Flying Fish Sailor," and "Botany Bay." There was the West Indies set with "Black Bird Get-Up," "Kingston Town," and "Sloop John A." There was the outward bound set with "Go to Sea Once More," "Willie Went to Sea," and "Shanghai Brown." There were at least two Gordon Bok songs, "Astoria Bar" and "Mister, I Don't Mind." There was "The Banks of Newfoundland" and "Lowlands of Holland." And Bruce wasn't there so we had a good time singing some of his songs!

We really need to work up some more closing verses to "Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her."

See you all next week at the China Sea/Roll & Go party in Gray, or if not, in September.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 04:55 PM

Ramona, Chuckie! There will be a quiz next month.

There was also Mary Garvey's song "The Boats of Peter's River."

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 04:58 PM

Hell, Jeri, sometimes I'm not even sure if my name is "Charley Noble."

Sorry, Ramona.

Charley Ignoble

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 12:06 AM

So put that up your pipe and smoke it, eh, Charlie. Pleased you had a jolly fine time. Sorry I wasn't there with a Kiwi-Kontri or two. Will post a variant of "T'me Way Hey Hey" that I knocked up in the 70s to explain shore whaling terms to the kids in my 'musical history lesson' at the Tautuku OEC. Must post some other local ones I used too. There's a sawmilling one, which again explains terminology, and a couple written by a local Bullocky, "Kangaroo Bill" Wells, in the late 30s. One was a local version of "The Old Bullock Dray", the other "The Wreck of the Manuka". At the moment I'm just busy enough, writing up background notes for Peter Cape's "Taumarunui".

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 02:59 AM

Sounds like fun! Wish I could connect with some chanty people out here. I had one possibility but haven't been able to follow up on that.

You know, if I time it right I should be able to make it to the October session...

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 09:29 AM

Sam-

Maybe we can lift a few and swap some songs when we stop over (engines running) in New Zealand on our way to Sydney (see Oz Foray thread) in late November, or maybe it's time you revisited Sydney. What a time we could have at The Loaded Dog!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 12:49 PM

Bruce just called for a report of what he missed on Saturday. I told him we just sat around and sang "his" songs.

(Fixed him.)

Linn, still chortling

Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 12:28 PM

I should add that Bruce has not yet accounted for his absence. Next session on 13 September; good thing it's not a Friday -- Tom