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1. |
Spanish Ladies
03:43
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Spanish Ladies
Capstan Shanty
Traditional
Farewell and adieu, to you Spanish Ladies,
Farewell and adieu, to you ladies of Spain;
For we’ve received orders for to sail for ol’ England,
But we hope in a short time to see you again.
(Chorus)
We’ll rant and we’ll roar like true British sailors,
We’ll rant and we’ll roar all on the salt sea.
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
We hove our ship to with the wind from sou’west, boys
We hove our ship to, deep soundings to take;
‘Twas forty-five fathoms, with a white sandy bottom,
So we squared our main yard and up channel did make. (Chorus)
We’ll rant and we’ll roar like true British sailors,
We’ll rant and we’ll roar all on the salt sea.
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues. (Chorus)
The first land we sighted was call-ed the Dodman,
Next Rame Head off Plymouth, off Portsmouth the Wight;
We sailed by Beachy, by Fairlight and Dover,
And then we bore up for the South Foreland light. (Chorus)
Then the signal was made for the grand fleet to anchor,
And all in the Downs that night for to lie;
Let go your shank painter, cut loose your cat stopper!
Haul up your clew garnets, let tack and sheets fly! (Chorus)
Now, let ev−ry man drink off his full bumper,
And let ev−ry man drink off his full glass;
We−ll drink and be jolly and drown melancholy,
And here−s to the health of each true-hearted lass.
We’ll rant and we’ll roar like true British sailors,
We’ll rant and we’ll roar all on the salt sea.
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
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2. |
Heave Away Cheerily-o
03:47
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Heave Away Cheerily O
Capstan, Pump or Windlass Shanty
Traditional
Oh, the wind is free an’ we’re bound for the sea
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
The lassies are wavin’ to you an’ to me
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go
Chorus:
Sing, me lads, cheerily
Heave, me lads, cheerily
Heave away cheerily o-ho!
For the gold that we prize an’ for sunnier skies
Away to the south’ard we go!
They’re shoutin’ goodbye, an’ the gals they do cry
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
So sing up, me darlin’s, an’ wipe yer tears dry
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (chorus)
They’re cryin’, Come back, my dear John an’ dear Jack
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
There’s water in front an’ no door at the back
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
But we’re Johnnies bold who can work for our gold
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
An’ stand a good dousin’ wi’out catchin’ cold
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
The gals to the south’ard are bully an’ fine
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
When we gits to Melbourne we’ll have a good time
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
A John he is true to his Sal an’ his Sue
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
So long as he’s able to keep ’em in view
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
We’ll heave her up, bullies, an’ run her away
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
We’ll soon be a’headin’ out on a long lay
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go ()Chorus
They’re crying, ‘Come back, my dear sailor in blue
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
For no one can fill the place vacant by you’
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go ( Chorus)
They love us for money, whoever he be
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
But when it’s all gone we are shanghaied to sea
Chorus: As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
Then sing, ‘Goodbye Sally, your wonders I’ll tell
Chorus: Heave away cheerily o-ho!
But when with another, I’ll wish you in hell
As off to the south’ard we go (Chorus)
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3. |
One More Pull
04:36
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One More Pull
Maritime-themed Song
Lyrics by Ken Stephens, Music by Ian Woods (RIP) and Ken Stephens
Giant combers, ocean rollers,
Living waves upon the sea.
But for us, boys, there’s no future.
It’s not like it used to be.
CHORUS: One more pull, boys. That’ll do, boys.
Soon we’ll draw alongside.
Hoist her upwards. Swing her inboard,
For the journey’s nearly o’er.
Iceland’s dangers, Greenland’s fog banks,
Northern storm’s intensity,
It’s all gone now. Turn her homeward,
For the market won’t reach the fee. CHORUS
No more codfish off Newfoundland
Dancing silver down the hatch.
Drifters, trawlers and purse seiners
All laid up or sold for scrap. CHORUS
So heave the line, boys, one last time, now.
Then we’ll have the final trawl.
No need to wonder where it’s all gone to.
Only time to heave ‘n’ haul. CHORUS
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4. |
Sailors' Prayer
03:56
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Sailor’s Prayer
Maritime-themed Song
Words and Music © Tom Lewis
This dirty town has been my home
since last time I was sailing,
But I’ll not stay another day,
I’d sooner be a’whaling,
(Chorus:)
Oh lord above, send down a dove,
with wings as sharp as razors,
To cut the throats of them there blokes,
what sells bad beer to sailors!
Paid off m’ ‘score’ and then ashore,
m’ money soon was flying,
With Judy Lee all on my knee,
and in my ear a lying. (Chorus:)
With m’ new-found friends, m’ money spends,
just as fast as winking,
But when I make to clear the slate,
the landlord says: “Keep drinking!” (Chorus:)
With m’ payoff gone, and clothes in pawn,
and Judy set for leaving,
Six months’ of pay’s gone in three days,
but Judy isn’t grieving. (Chorus:)
When the crimp comes round I’ll take his pound,
and his hand I’ll be shaking,
Tomorrow morn’ sail for The Horn,
just as the dawn is breaking. (Chorus:)
Well it’s one last trip from port I’ll ship,
but next time back I’m swearing,
I’ll settle down in my home town,
no more I’ll go seafaring. (Chorus:)
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5. |
Bimini
03:38
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Bimini
Maritime-themed Song
Music and Lyrics © W. Olofson and M. McIntyre
Oh, ’til I go down to Bimini,
never take to liquor ’til I go down to Bimini.
We were all sailors ’til the day
our boat pulled in to Bimini Bay.
We tapped a keg. We loaded on.
Woke up to find the boat was gone!
Send my bail down to Bimini.
This town is wearisome.
Got thrown in jail just for drinkin’
Barbados rum, Barbados rum.
Oh, ’til I go down to Bimini,
never take to liquor ’til I go down to Bimini.
I recollect the other night,
seems like there was a friendly fight.
It was a woman brought me grief.
Her father was the police chief!
Send my bail down to Bimini.
This town is wearisome.
Got thrown in jail just for drinkin’
Barbados rum, Barbados rum.
I told them I would mend my ways.
They let me out in thirty days.
One little sip to quench my thirst,
Guss you should have read the label first!
Send my bail down to Bimini.
This town is wearisome.
Got thrown in jail just for drinkin’
Barbados rum, Barbados rum.
Oh, ’til I go down to Bimini,
never take to liquor ’til I go down to Bimini.
They say that Bimini can’t afford
to keep providing room and board.
I’m anchored here by ball and chain,
squeezin’ rum from sugar cane.
Send my bail down to Bimini.
This town is wearisome.
Got thrown in jail just for drinkin’
Barbados rum, Barbados rum.
Oh, ’til I go down to Bimini,
never take to liquor ’til I go down to Bimini.
Oh, ’til I go down to Bimini,
never take to liquor ’til I go down to Bimini.
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6. |
Man o' War
02:39
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Sam’s Gone Away
Maritime-themed Song
Traditional (collected from fishermen on St. Vincent’s Island, Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
I wish I was a cabin boy, aboard a man o’war!
Sam’s gone away, aboard a man o’war!
Pretty work, brave boys,
Pretty work, I say!
Sam’s gone away, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was the helmsman, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was the bos’n, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was the first mate, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was a gunner, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was the powder monkey, aboard a man o’war!
I’m glad he’s not the captain aboard a man o’war!
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7. |
Roll Call
04:19
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Roll Call
Maritime-themed Song
Words and Music © Gina Dalby
As the sun rose, and the day broke.
I heard a voice, calling out a name.
It was strong and clear, yet a whisper’s breath.
I can hear the voice, ringing in my ears.
It called for Philip Minch and for H.A. Barr.
For Jay Gould and Sarah E. Sheldon.
It called for Wilma, and for Alva B.,
For Colonel Cook and Paddy Murphy.
It called out, and then the voice faded away.
As the sun rose high, and the half day past.
I heard a voice, breathing out their names.
It was strong and clear, yet a whisper’s breath.
I can hear the voice, ringing in my ears.
It never rested, never took a breath.
It called for Myron and Fannie L. Jones.
A call for Penelope,
One for Cecile J.,
Another for old George Stone
The voice went on, the voice rang on,
all throughout the day.
As the sun set, and the day was done.
The voice then began to dim.
An understanding and it came to me,
Yes, I knew, I knew all the names.
This was the roll-call,
Yes, the roll-call of the wrecks of the Great Lakes.
This was the roll-call,
Yes, the roll-call of the wrecks of the Great Lakes.
As the sun rose, and a new day broke.
I heard a voice, calling out their names.
It said remember those who came before,
(a call for Edmund Fitzgerald; a call for the Lady Elgin; a call for Rouse Simmons)
And I vowed never to forget.
This is the roll-call, oh it’s the call,
For the wrecks of the Great Lakes.
This is the roll-call, yes, it’s the call,
For the wrecks of the Great Lakes.
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8. |
Paddy Lay Back
03:44
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Paddy Lay Back
Capstan Shanty
Traditional
‘Twas a cold an’ dreary mornin’ in December, (December)
An’ all of me money it was spent (it was spent),
Where it went to Lord I can’t remember (remember),
So down to the shippin’ office went, (went, went) (Chorus)
(Chorus)
Paddy, lay back (Paddy, lay back)!
Take in yer slack (take in yer slack)!
Take a turn around the capstan – heave a pawl – heave a pawl!
‘Bout ship, stations, boys, be handy (be handy)!
We’re bound for Valaparaiser ’round the Horn!
In that day there wuz a great demand for sailors (for sailors),
For the Colonies and for ‘Frisco and for France (an’ for France),
So I shipped aboard a Limey barque, the Hotspur (the Hotspur),
An’ got paralytic drunk on my advance (‘vance, ‘vance),
It was on the quarterdeck where first I saw ’em,
Such an ugly bunch I’d niver seen afore;
For there wuz bum an’ stiff from every quarter,
It made me poor ol’ heart feel sick an’ sore. (Chorus)
There wuz Rooshians an’ Dutchmen an’ Spaniards,
An’ Johnny Crapoos jist acrost from France;
Oh, none could hardly speak a word o’ English,
But answered to the name of ‘Month’s Advance’. (Chorus)
I wisht I wuz back in the ‘Jolly Sailor’,
Along with Irish Kate a-drinkin’ beer;
It made me think what jolly chaps were sailors,
An’ with me flipper I wiped away a tear. (Chorus)
So here we are, once more again at sea, boys,
The same ol’ bloody story over again;
Oh, stamp the around the capstan, give a cheer, boys,
An’ sing again this beautiful refrain.
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9. |
Tow Rope Girls
03:33
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Tow Rope Girls
Maritime-themed Song
Lyrics from a poem by Cecily Fox Smith, set to the tune of Queer Bungle Rye by William Pint
There’s a ship in the tropics, rolling along,
With every stitch drawing, the wind blowing strong,
With the white caps around her, Breaking in spray,
Those girls have got hold of our tow-rope today!
Chorus:
Oh, and it’s haul away, girls, steady and true,
Polly and Dolly and Sally and Sue,
Mothers and sisters – sweethearts and all,
It’s haul away, all the way, haul away, haul, And haul!
She’s logging sixteen as she speeds from the south,
With the wind in her royals, with a bone in her mouth,
With a wake like a mill-race she speeds on her way,
Those girls have got hold of our tow-rope today! (Chorus)
Of cargoes and charters we’ve had our full share,
Of grain and of lumber – enough and to spare.
Of nitrates at Taltal and rice for Bombay,
Those girls have got hold of our tow-rope today! (Chorus)
Don’t you hear the good trade winds a-singing aloud,
A homeward bound shanty in the sheets and in shroud,
Oh, hear how she whistles in the halyards and stays,
Those girls have got hold of our tow-rope today!” (Chorus)
And it’s oh, for the chops of the channel at last,
And the cheer that goes up when the tug hawser’s cast,
The mate’s “that’ll do” and fourteen months’ pay,
For the girls have got hold of our tow-rope today! (Chorus)
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10. |
When He is Away
03:45
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When He is Away
Maritime-themed Song from an 1840 Hartlepool Broadside
Original lyrics by Robert Warwick. Music and lyric adaptation by Sean Cooney.
I am a sailor’s wife, girl
In Hartlepool I dwell
Me husband thinks I love him
And so might he well
But I just can’t stand his face
When he at home does stay
For the only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away.
Chorus
Oh when he is away, me lass
When he is away
The only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away
There’s nee comfort at home for me
While he does stay
The only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away
I’ll wave him off from the town wall
With a feigned tear in me eye
Then I’ll rush back in the Pot House
And drink the whole place dry
With all the girls around me
We’ll toast the sailing day
Cos’ the only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away. (Chorus)
I’ll get meself a fancy man
And with him I will ride
We’ll roll arm in arm all night
Until the morning tide
Cos’ me instrument it is me own
And with it I will play
The only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away. (Chorus)
For sly jobs I do fancy best
Like many sailor’s wives
Cos’ if we can’t enjoy ourselves
Then what good are our lives?
So here’s to the girls of Hartlepool
Who never rue the day
The only pleasure that I have
Is when he is away. (Chorus)
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11. |
Mingulay Boat Song
03:36
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Mingulay Boat Song
Maritime-themed Song
Sir Hugh S. Roberton (1874–1952)
What care we how light the spray is?
What care we for wind or weather?
Let her go, boys, every inch is
Sailin’ homeward to Mingulay.
Chorus:
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go boys!
Heave her head ’round into the weather!
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go boys!
Sailin’ homeward to Mingulay!
Clap your eyes on the sun arisin’,
Gulls and doves fill the sky with feather.
Cut her loose, boys, for the horizon.
We’ll be home soon in Mingulay. (Chorus)
Wives are waitin’ on the bank or
Lookin’ seaward, from the heather.
Pull her round boys, and you’ll anchor
‘Ere the sun sets on Mingulay. (Chorus)
[Ladies] Wives are waiting by the harbor;
We’ve been waiting since break of day.
[Men] We’re pumped dry and walking larboard,
To our wives on Mingulay. (Chorus, Round, Chorus)
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12. |
Away Rio
04:19
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Away Rio
Outward bound capstan or windlass shanty
Traditional
The Anchor is weighed and the sails they are set
Away Rio!
The girls that we’re leaving we’ll never forget,
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande, and it’s
Chorus:
Away Rio! Away, away Rio!
Sing fare thee well, my pretty young girls, and
We’re bound for the Rio Grande
So pack up your donkey and get under way,
Away Rio!
The girls we are leaving we’ll never forget
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande, and it’s
Chorus
Heave with a will and heave long and strong
Away Rio!
Sing the good chorus for ’tis a good song
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande, and it’s
Chorus
The chain’s up and down the bosun did say
Away Rio!
Heave up to the hawspipe, the anchor’s away
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande, and it’s
Chorus
Well, fare ye well all ye ladies of town
Away Rio!
We’ve left you enough for to buy a silk gown.
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande, and it’s
Chorus
And it’s goodbye to Ellen and Molly and Sue
Away Rio!
And those that are listening, it’s goodbye to you
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande, and it’s
Chorus
Away Rio! Away, away Rio!
Sing fare thee well, my pretty young girls, and
We’re bound for the Rio Grande
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13. |
Sugar in the Hold
03:31
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Sugar in the Hold Below
Homeward-bound Capstan Shanty
Traditional
Arrangement by Bounding Main
Additional Lyrics by Gina Dalby
Well, I wish I was in Mobile Bay,
Screwing cotton all of the day,
Still I’m stowin’ sugar in the hold below,
Below, below, below.
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below,
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below.
The J.M. White she’s a new boat,
Stem to stern she’s mighty fine,
Beat any boat on the New Orleans Line,
Stowin sugar in the hold below.
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below,
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below.
Now the engineer shouts through his trumpet,
Tell the mate he’s got bad news,
Can’t get steam for the fire in the flue,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below.
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below,
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below.
The clerk roared out, “save these poor souls,
Fire’s blazing, we gotta go,
There’s powder in the magazine”,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below.
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below,
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below.
The Captain’s out on the quarterdeck,
Scratchin’ way at his old neck,
He calls out, “Heave the larboard lead”,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below.
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below,
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below.
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold below,
Hey ho below below,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold,
Stowin’ sugar in the hold,
Stowin’ in the hold below.
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14. |
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When the Ship Hit the Sand
Maritime-themed Song
Lyrics and Music © 1965 by Larry Kingston
Oh, my friends and I went on an ocean cruise,
Three days out and I was sick down to my shoes,
And to make it more forlorn, we sailed into a ragin’ storm.
Where we were nobody seemed to have a clue .
As the ship was being tossed and thrown about,
I was wondering if the captain had stepped out.
Then I heard an awful noise, and I asked one of the boys
What had happened, and you should have heard him shout!
Chorus:
Where were you when the ship hit the sand,
I said I was in there praying for dry land
With a bucket and my breakfast in my hand
Where were you when the ship hit the sand?
Oh I brought the lookout some delicious stew,
I’d forgotten that he had a job to do.
As we sat down for our feast, No one was looking to the East,
And I heard them yelling as the vessel tipped askew! (Chorus)
Oh the Captain asked for help with the map.
Then decided it was time to take a nap.
I took a left at Albuquerque, and the ship got herky-jerky.
So I hid and let the helmsman take the rap. (Chorus)
I was throwing coal down in the engine room;
I dropped my shovel when I heard an awful “boom!”
Well, I ran up on the deck, so I could see just who the heck
Had turned the ship into a great big floating tomb! (Chorus)
I was up on the deck talking to the crew,
Tellin’ lots of funny jokes, Yes, it’s true!
I told the one about the perch, and then I felt an awful lurch,
So I told more jokes to help us all pull through. (Chorus)
We were tossed about, it was a cryin’ shame.
We sent distress calls out, but no one ever came!
While my mates flopped there in the tide, I tried to find somewhere to hide,
Before they all decide that I’m the one to blame. (“He’s to blame!”) (Chorus x3)
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15. |
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None. It is silence.
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16. |
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Good luck!
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Bounding Main Chicago, Illinois
Bounding Main is a group of vocalists that sing richly harmonic versions of traditional maritime songs. “Beautiful Harmonies with a Maritime Flair!” Their shows are filled with spirit, humor and harmony; their arrangements of traditional nautical music bring the listener into the world of fellowship, adventure and romance. ... more
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