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Lyr Req: Rolling Down the River (Jack Forbes)
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Subject: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: andymac Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:37 PM I was at the Both Sides of the Tweed festival in Eyemouth in October and heard this fantastic modern shanty which the singer (who promised to sing again later and never did) told me he'd picked up from the Plymouth Shantymen but didn't know the origin otherwise. It was about working on modern container ships out of the South of England and to my shame, that's as much as I can recall as I'm away from home and don't have any more info to hand. Tried all the usual searches with no success so, I'm throwing myself open to the wisdom of the Forum....Sorry folks, I know this is vague.... Andy |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: andymac Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:44 PM I've just discovered the song is called Rolling Down the River and was written for a radio programme about Tilbury Docks but can't get hold of the lyrics.... Anyone able to help? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: GUEST,MCP Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:46 PM If noone else posts them, I probably can later (I haven't sung it for years, so it depends if I can find the words!). Mick |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: GUEST,MCP Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:19 PM According to my index Folder 4, page 72 should provide the words, so I'll just have something to eat, then I'll put the words up for you. Mick |
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Subject: Lyr Add: ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER (Jack Forbes) From: GUEST,MCP Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:50 PM And so it was, and here it is. (I haven't bothered repeating the refrain lines after verse 1). I hope I've got the author's name right, my writing wasn't too legible! Mick ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER (Jack Forbes) I once was a rigger and I worked like hell Rolling up, rolling down And now I'm a sailor with the old CL. And go rolling down the river Chorus: Rolling up, rolling down, We'll all get drunk in Tilbury town, Twenty-four hours we'll turn around And go rolling down the river Now the work is good and the wages fine When you make a trip in a container line. Now the cargo comes in TEUs That's a twenty-foot box, boys, full of booze. When first I saw a TEU I wondered where they put the crew. There's a Tilbury girl called Kettle Jane. Cause she's on the boil then she's off again. She's got a friend called Teapot Anne When she's well-brewed she'll take a man. Them Tilbury girls go round in pairs You'll never catch them unawares. But at the dockyard gate when the work is done You can pick them up boys one by one. Source: Bob Walser |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: MoorleyMan Date: 19 Nov 04 - 04:24 AM Yes this is a good'un. I too was at BSOTweed, and recall it being sung (it was on my list of possibles to sing at that seasong sess but I was beat to it!). The version I have is slightly at variance - there's an extra verse at the end, "Now we're the boys to see 'em through So to hell with the Channel and the TEUs" - which I'm told may not even be by Jack and may well have been added subsequently (if Jack is reading this, praps he'd be able to confirm?) , and - most importantly perhaps - the "old CL" is actually "OCL" (which stands for Overseas Container Line). There are a few recorded versions of this modern shanty now, including the Portsmouth Shantymen, I'll look them out and check when I get a minute. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Dead Horse Date: 19 Nov 04 - 04:32 AM Dead Horse Morris of Whitstable (see the connection?) dance to this song. At Leigh-on-Sea FF one year (2001?) we had the pleasure of meeting Jack Forbes himself. He said he was suitably impressed to see us performing to this tune, even with our own added verses! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Dave Hanson Date: 19 Nov 04 - 04:49 AM I suspect the song you are looking for is ' Shantyman ' by Bob Watson, Now modern ships carry mighty funny gear, ref. And away, get away you shantyman, Aint seen a halliard in many's a year ref. And away get away you shantyman. Slick new fittings are all your style, ref. And away get away you shantyman All very clever but it just aint right. chorus. And they got no use for a shantyman. Shantyman oh shantyman. Whose got a berth for a shantyman. Sing you a song of a world gone wrong. When they got no room for a shantyman. Thats the first verse and chorus, let me know if it's the right song andI will post the full version or PM you with it. eric |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 19 Nov 04 - 08:04 AM Yes, please post the full version for the rest of us anyway... |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: GUEST,Noreen Date: 19 Nov 04 - 08:15 AM No, don't do that- it's already in the DT: Shantyman (click here) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: GUEST,Noreen Date: 19 Nov 04 - 08:22 AM ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER is also in the DT. It is a good idea to do a quick search using the Lyrics & Knowledge Search (top left of forum page) before going to the trouble of posting another set of the same lyrics. Some of you have been around here long enough to know that (she says with her best teacher's hat on...) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: GUEST,Blackcatter Date: 19 Nov 04 - 09:09 AM True, but if everyone did that, I wouldn't be reminded that a week ago I promised myself to learn some new shantys... |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: GUEST,MCP Date: 19 Nov 04 - 09:33 AM That's strange - I looked for Rolling Down The River in my local copy of the DT! Must have missed it in my haste. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Dead Horse Date: 19 Nov 04 - 11:21 AM Blackcatter, you'd be better off learning some OLD shanties:-) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: radriano Date: 19 Nov 04 - 11:57 AM Actually, it's good that this thread was created as the lyrics for the shanty in DT don't credit the author! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST SHANTY (Tom Lewis) From: GUEST Date: 19 Nov 04 - 12:18 PM THE LAST SHANTY Words & Music by Tom Lewis M' father often told me, when I was just a lad, A sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad, But now I've joined the navy, I'm on board a man-o-war, And now I find a sailor ain't a sailor any more! Chorus: Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast, If you see a sailing-ship it might be your last, Get your 'civvies ready for another run-ashore, A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more! The 'killick' of our mess, he says we've had it soft, It wasn't like this in his day, when he was up aloft, We like our bunks and sleeping-bags but what's a hammock for? Swinging from the deckhead or lying on the floor? They gave us an engine that first went up and down, Then with more technology the engine went around, We're good with steam and diesel but what's a mainyard for? A stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel any more! They gave us an Aldiss Lamp, we can do it right, They gave us a radio, we signal day and night, We know our codes and ciphers but what's a 'sema' for? A 'bunting-tosser' doesn't toss the bunting any more! They gave us a radar set to pierce the fog and gloom, So now the lookout's sitting in a tiny darkened room, Loran does navigation the Sonar says how deep, The Jimmy's 3 sheets to the wind, the Skipper's fast asleep. Two cans of beer a day, that's your bleeding lot! But now we gets an extra one because they stopped The Tot, So, we'll put on our civvy-clothes and find a pub ashore, A sailor's still a sailor, just like he was before! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Bev and Jerry Date: 19 Nov 04 - 04:16 PM Can anyone supply the tune to The Shantyman? Bev and Jerry |
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Subject: Tune Add: THE SHANTYMAN From: Bernard Date: 19 Nov 04 - 05:28 PM This is the nearest I can get to it - I usually sing harmony, not the tune!
This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE SHANTYMAN From: Bernard Date: 19 Nov 04 - 05:36 PM Oops... forgot... MIDItext 98 software screws up the ABC... can't cope with syncopations, amongst other things... X: 1 T:Shantyman M:4/4 L:1/8 Q:145 K:D D2|F2A2A2AA|AAAB FEDE|F2AA A2B2|F2E(DD4)|F2AA A2dd| BBB2 A2DE|F2A2 A2AB|F2E(DD4)|F2A2 AAA2|A2B2 FEDE| F2AA A2B2|F2E(DD4)|F2AA AAdd|B2B2 A2DE|F2A2 A2AB| F2E(DD4)|A2FA2d3|B2G(AA4)|B2BBA2 FF|FED(EE4)|D2FF A2AA| B2B2 A2DE|F2A2 A2AB|F2E(DD4)|| |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: andymac Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:31 PM Thanks everyone, I knew I could rely on help here. As for the lyrics being in the DT, I too found them, but only after I found out what the title was. All I had to go on at first was contained (excuse the pun) in my first posting, THAT'S why I couldn't use the DT to search for it. I actually found it via Google, searching for Portsmouth Shantymen... Apologies to the schoolma'am (Noreen) but thanks to all... Now comes the work of learning it- Andy |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Bev and Jerry Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:40 PM Thanks, Bernard. Bev and Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Bernard Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:47 PM Welcome! ;o) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Noreen Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:50 AM andymac, I was not having a go at your initial post; I know as well as anyone how useful this forum and its helpful readers are in such circumstances when you have little to go on. (ahem) THE LAST SHANTY , Guest, is also in the DT already, and credited to Tom Lewis, but under a different title (A SAILOR AIN'T A SAILOR). This would not stop you finding it though! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Dave Hanson Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:53 AM In clubs and sessions round here [ West Yorkshire ] Shantyman is known as the ' Anti Shanty ' it's a lament for a way of life that everyone was glad to get rid of. It's still a great song though, Joe Stead does a fine version of it. eric |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: GUEST Date: 25 May 05 - 11:36 AM |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: GUEST,Patrick Date: 25 May 05 - 11:50 AM I think my earlier attempt to add to this thread must ahve dropped down a slot. I'll try again and hope to push the right button this time. Following 'andymacs' original posting, the Plymouth shanty crew, who may or may not have been the people he heard at Both Sides of the Tweed, is called 'Hanging Johnny'. They have recorded the container ship song on their CD 'Yankee Clippers & Limey Traders', where they call it 'Tilbury Town'. If you want to learn shantys and other sea songs, this is a good place to start. A pedantic complaint. Please don't call this song and others like it a shanty. A shanty is a work song sung while carrying out a particular job, such as pushing on the capstan or hauling on a halliard, (whatever that may be). Songs traditionaly sung for entertainment in the fo'csle or pub are called forbitters. What modern songs should be called, who knows? Not shantys. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: radriano Date: 25 May 05 - 01:30 PM Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure. A halliard (or the more modern spelling halyard) is the line (rope) that was pulled on that resulted in a sail being raised. Although this song is written in the style of a shanty it cannot be considered a real shanty because shanties are not sung aboard container ships, to my knowledge. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 25 May 05 - 01:45 PM There just isn't much (if any) of that kind of work on a container ship. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: PoohBear Date: 25 May 05 - 03:53 PM So what makes a song a shanty? Besides the call/response format? Is it the venue in which it is sung? It's a shanty when sung on a sailing vessel while at work and a forbitter when sung on dry land over a pint? Just trying to understand the semantics of it all. . . Cheers PB |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 25 May 05 - 04:56 PM It's the design function of the song, as I would put it. If it's intended to be a work-coordinator, to keep the men together as they pull, or whatever work is to be done, it's a shanty. Shanties are commonly (although I don't think necessarily) in call response format. The idea is that the shantyman controls the rhythm and pace. Forebitters are just about everything else--that is, those sea songs which are "designed" to be sung for what I'd call "social purposes", whether they are sung in the fo'c'sle or a pub ashore or wherever. Some actual shanties may have been sung in such off-the-job circumstances on occasion, but it's the work purpose that makes them shanties. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: modern shanty about container ships From: radriano Date: 25 May 05 - 07:50 PM Exactly right, Uncle DaveO. A shanty is specifically a work song. The old-time sailors were a superstitious lot and only sung shanties when working. If some careless sailor started a shanty when off-duty just because he wanted to sing those in charge would assume that the men wanted to work. To my knowledge it was only the Great Lakes sailors who were known to sing a shanty in a pub. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WAKE UP, SUSIANA (Charlie Ipcar) From: Charley Noble Date: 26 May 05 - 09:08 AM This discussion reminds me of another old song I ran across a few months ago, lining an old sea shest, which is a clear precurser of a song made popular by Felice & Boudleaux Bryant in the late 1950's: WAKE UP, SUSIANA (Parody written by Charlie Ipcar © 2001 Adapted from Felice & Boudleaux Bryant © Wake Up Little Suzie. Tune: a slow shanty shout roughly based on the original tune. Key: C) Chorus: Wake up, Susiana, wake up! Wake up, Susiana, wake up! We've both been sound asleep - Umph! Wake up, Susiana, and weep - Umph! Blue Peter's flying, there's no denying, We're in trouble deep! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! We gotta ship out! (CHO) Now we said we'd be aboard by ten - Umph! Susiana, we've goofed again - Umph! The bosun's calling, the capstan's pawling, And we're three sheets to the wind! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! We gotta ship out! (CHO) Now the rum it wasn't so hot - Umph! But we drank up all of our tot - Umph! You're still asleep, our duff is deep, Our reputation is shot! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! We gotta ship out! (CHO) Now the mudhook's up and down - Umph! But we're still stuck in town - Umph! What we gonna tell the Old Man When he looks at us with a frown? Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! We gotta ship out! (CHO) We've both been sound asleep - Umph! Wake up, Susiana, and weep - Umph! Blue Peter's flying, there's no denying, It's time for the pierhead leap! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! Wake up, Susiana! - Umph! We gotta ship out! We gotta ship out! Here's a link to a MP3 sample of how I sing this song: Click here! I understand this old song has been recently revived among crew members of the Maine Windjammer fleet. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rolling Down the River (Jack Forbes) From: GUEST,Patrick Date: 19 Jun 05 - 12:16 PM Yes. Quite. On a further point of information re:Andymacs original posting; at a recent pub session I asked the bass from Hanging Johnny if they'd been to the Both Sides of the Tweed Festival in October. Or ever. He said no. Must have been those Portsmouth boys you heard. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rolling Down the River (Jack Forbes) From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 19 Jun 05 - 07:52 PM The DT's got it right - "A SAILOR AIN'T A SAILOR" is a more appropriate name the "The Last Shantyman" for a song that isn't a shanty, and doesn't mention shanties - and is about specifucally life in the Royal Navy ("on board a man-o-war"), where they never did have shanties, or at least weren't supposed to. |
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