Shanties, Sea Songs, and all that kind of stuff.
Sacramento
To the tune of Camptown Ladies
2 Versions
Oh around Cape Horn we all must go
Chorus: Timme roodah, roodah
Around Cape Horn through the ice and snow
Chorus: Timme roodah, doodah day
Chorus:
Blow boys blow, for Cal-i-forn-i-o,
There's plenty of gold,
so I've been told
on the banks of the Sacramento
Oh around Cape Horn in the month of May.
Around Cape Horn is a bloody long way.
Around Cape Horn in a mighty storm.
Where your arse is never warm.
Them yeller girls ain't got no combs.
They comb their locks with tunny fish bones
We'll splice the girls in Vallipo
And then them girls in Callio
We're the bullies to kick her through
Run down the hill with a hullabaloo
And when we gets to Frisco Bay
Them yeller girls won't run away
We'll crack it on in a big skiyoot
Our bos'un, Jim, is a bloody big brute.
We'll leave this ship and pan for gold.
We'll all be rich, or so I've been told.
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Version 2
Sing and heave, and heave and sing,
Chorus: To me hoodah! To me hoodah!
Heave and make the handspikes spring,
Chorus: To me hoodah, hoodah, day!
Chorus:
And it's blow, boys, blow,
For Californio!
For there's plenty of gold,
So I've been told,
On the banks of the Sacramento!
2. From Limehouse Docks to Sydney Heads,
Was never more than seventy days.
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3. We cracked it on, on a big skiute,
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And the old man felt like a swell galoot.
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2. Oh around the Horn with a mainskys'l set,
Around Cape Horn an' we're all wringin' wet.
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3. Oh, around Cape Horn in the month o' May,
Oh, around Cape Horn is a very long way.
4. Them Dago gals we do adore,
They all drink vino an' ask for more.
5. Them Spanish gals ain't got no combs,
They comb their locks with tunny-fish bones.
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6. To the Sacramento we're bound away,
To the Sacramento's a hell o' a way.
7. We're the buckos for to make 'er go,
All the way to the Sacramento.
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8. We're the bullies for to kick her through,
Roll down the hill with a hullabaloo.
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9. Starvation an' ease in a Yankee ship,
We're the bullies for to make 'er rip.
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10. Santander Jim is a mate from hell,
With fists o' iron an' feet as well.
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11. Breast yer bars an' bend yer backs,
Heave an' make yer spare ribs crack.
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12. Round the Horn an' up to the Line,
We're the bullies for to make 'er shine,
13. We'll crack it on, on a big skiyoot,
Ol' Bully Jim is a bloody big brute.
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14. Oh, a bully ship wid a bully crew,
But the mate is a bastard through an' through.
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15. Ninety days to 'Frisco Bay,
Ninety days is damn good pay.
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16. Oh, them wuz the days of the good ol' times,
Back in the days of the Forty-nine
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17. Sing an' heave an' heave an' sing,
Heave an' make them handspikes spring.
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18. An' I wish to God I'd niver bin born,
To go a-ramblin' round Cape Horn.
​
Sally Brown
Three versions
There's as many versions of Sally Brown as there are Ranzo Rays and Hilo's, so here's the one sung at the Jenny, normally, although other versions also get sung. The main difference is in the chorus, although sometimes in the tune. Hey ho.
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Sally Brown 1
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O, Sally Brown, of New York City,
Way, hay, roll and go!
O, Sally Brown you're very pretty
Spend my money on Sally Brown!
2. O, Sally Brown's a bright mulatto,
Way, hay, roll and go!
She drinks rum and chews tobacco,
Spend my money on Sally Brown!
3. O, Sally Brown's a Creole lady,
Way, hay, roll and go!
She's the mother of a yellow baby,
Spend my money on Sally Brown!
4. Seven long years I courted Sally,
Way, hay, roll and go!
Sweetest girl in all the valley,
Spend my money on Sally Brown!
5. Seven long years she wouldn't marry,
Way, hay, roll and go!
And I no longer cared to tarry,
Spend my money on Sally Brown!
6. So I courted Sal, her only daughter,
Way, hay, roll and go!
For her I sail upon the water,
Spend my money on Sally Brown!
7. Sally's teeth are white and pearly,
Way, hay, roll and go!
Her eyes are blue, her hair is curly,
Spend my money on Sally Brown!
8. Now my troubles are all over,
Way, hay, roll and go!
Sally's married to a dirty soldier,
Spend my money on Sally Brown!
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Sally Brown 2
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I Shipped on board o a Liverpool liner
Chorus:
Way hay roll and go
And we rolled all night
And we rolled all day
For to spend my money along with sally brown
Sally Brown is a nice young lady
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She's tall and she's dark and she's not too shady
Her mother doesn't like no tarry sailor
She once had to marry a one legged captain
Sally wouldn't marry me so I shipped across the water
And now I am courting Sally's daughter
I shipped off board a Liverpool liner
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Sally Brown 3
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Oh Sally Brown she's a creole lady,
Way, hay, roll an' go.
Sally Brown's a gay old lady,
Spend my money on Sally Brown.
Sally Brown she has a daughter,
Way, hay, roll an' go.
Sent me sailin' 'cross the water.
Spend my money on Sally Brown.
Oh seven long years I courted Sally,
Way, hay, roll an' go.
Then she said she would not marry.
Spend my money on Sally Brown.
She wouldn't have no tarry sailor,
Way, hay, roll an' go.
Wouldn't have no greasy whaler.
Spend my money on Sally Brown.
Sally Brown I'm bound to leave you,
Way, hay, roll an' go.
Sally Brown I'll not deceive you.
Spend my money on Sally Brown.
Sally Brown she took a notion,
Way, hay, roll an' go.
Sent me sailin' 'cross the ocean.
Spend my money on Sally Brown.
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Sam's Gone Away
A repetitive song with a wide range of verses depending on how much time there is to sing it. The usual course is to start from the lowest rank and step by step reach the admiral, or Lord Nelson in the case of the Jenny sessions.
How I wish I was a cabin boy, on board a man o'war
Chorus: Sam's Gone away on board a man o'war
How I wish I was a cabin boy, on board a man o'war
Chorus: Sam's Gone away on board a man o'war
Chorus:
Pretty work brave boys, pretty work I say
Sam's Gone away on board a man o'war
Oh I wish I was a boatswain on board a man o'war
Oh I wish I was a boatswain on board a man o'war
Oh I wish I was a sawbones on board a man o'war
Oh I wish I was a sawbones on board a man o'war
Oh I wish I was a crackerhash on board a man o'war
Oh I wish I was a crackerhash on board a man o'war
Oh I wish I was a shanty man on board a man o'war
Oh I wish I was a shanty man on board a man o'war
(there were no shantymen aboard warships, merchant trade only)
Gunner
Gun captain
Midshipman
Lieutenant
Captain
Admiral
Lord Nelson
and so on
Santiano
We're sailing 'cross the river from Liverpool
Chorus: Heave aweigh, Santiano
'Round Cape Horn to Frisco Bay
Chorus: Way out in Californ-i-o
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So, heave her up and away we'll go
Chorus: Heave aweigh, Santiano
So, heave her up and away we'll go
Chorus: Way out in Californ-i-o
There's plenty of gold, so I've been told
There's plenty of gold, so I've been told
Well, back in the days of forty-nine
Back in the days of the good old times
So, heave her up and away we'll go
Heave her up and away we'll go
When I leave ship, I'll settle down
Marry a girl named Sally Brown
So, heave her up and away we'll go
Heave aweigh, Santiano
Heave her up and away we'll go
Way out in Californ-i-o
Serafina
Chorus in italics
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In Callao there lives a gal
Whose name is Serafina
Serafina! Serafina!
She sleeps all day and 'works' all night
On the old Cally Marina
Serafina! Oh, Serafina!
2. She's the queen, me boys, of all the gals
That live in the ole' Casino,
Serafina! Serafina!
She used to 'kiss' for monkey nuts
But now she 'works' for vino.
Serafina! Oh, Serafina!
3. At robbin' silly sailors, boys,
No gal was ever keener
Serafina! Serafina!
She'll make you pay right through the nose,
That lovely Serafina!
Serafina! Oh, Serafina!
4. She'll guzzle pisco, beer and gin,
On rum her mum did wean her
Serafina! Serafina!
She smokes just like a chimney stack
On a P.S.N.C steamer.
Serafina! Oh, Serafina!
5. Serafina's got no draws
I been ashore an' seen 'er
Serafina! Serafina!
She's got no time to put them on,
That hard-worked Serafina.
Serafina! Oh, Serafina!
6. When I was young an' in me prime,
I first met Serafina
Serafina! Serafina!
In Callao we saw the sights
An' then went up to Lima.
Serafina! Oh, Serafina!
Shake Her Johnny
A gal asleep with a blue dress on,
Chorus Shake 'er Johnny, shake ''er!
She waitin' there for your Uncle Tom,
Chorus: Shake 'er and we'll wake 'er.
This gal she did look good to me,
For I have been ten months at sea.
She's a Down East gal wid a Down East style,
For a dollar a time it's all worth while.
Roust an' shake her is the cry,
The bloody topmast sheave is dry!
The big wind comes from the Wes'-nor'-west,
This gal ain't gonner get no rest.
What can you do in Tiger Bay,
But give them flash gals all your pay.
Shake 'er, bullies, oh helm's a-lee,
She'll git washed out wid a big green sea.
Her oilskins they are all in pawn,
It's wet an' draughty 'round Cape Horn.
So roust 'er up from down below,
An' haul away for Uncle Joe.
This gal she is a high-brown lass,
High-brown lass in a flash blue dress.
So roust 'er up be quick I say,
An' make yer port an' take yer pay.
Soon we'll be down Mobile Bay,
Screwin' cotton for to git our pay.
Shallow Brown
Bound away to leave you
Chorus: Shallow oh Shallow Brown
Bound away to leave you
Chorus: Shallow oh Shallow Brown
Master's going to sell me
Sell me to a Yankee
Sell me for a dollar
Great big Yankee dollar
Fare thee well Juliana
Fare thee well Juliana
Bound away to leave you
Bound away to leave you
Shantyman
By Bob Wilson
Now modern ships carry mighty funny gear,
Chorus: And away, get away, you shantyman.
Ain't seen a halyard in many's a year,
Chorus: An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Slick new fittings are all your style,
Chorus: And away, get away, you shantyman.
All very clever, but it just ain't right;
Chorus: And away, get away, you shantyman.
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Chorus
Shantyman, oh, shantyman,
Who's got a berth for a shantyman?
Sing you a song of a world gone wrong,
When they got no use for a shantyman.
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Levers to jerk and buttons to press
And real live sailors they need them less;
Pushing on the buttons and hauling on the levers
And they got no use for horny-handed heavers.
The cargo is stored in a polythene pack,
Raised and lowered by a dry bollocks jack;
Floating computer dressed like a ship,
Skippered and crewed by a micro chip
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Soon they'll be sailing by remote control,
An' that'll be pleasing to the owners' souls;
They'll send their ships from dock to dock,
All sat upon their arses in an office block.
New-fangled gear's no use to you
When you're off Cape Horn with your fuses blew;
Then's the time for to curse the day
You sent your shantyman away.
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A sailor's life it once was hard,
Laid out aloft on a tops'l yard;
Now it don't matter if the winds blow high;
You can take force ten with your feet still dry.
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Old-time ways are forgotten and gone,
For no-one listens to a shantyman's song.
Things no longer as they used to be;
It's the knacker's yard for the likes of me.
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Listen at night and you might hear
A ghostly sound on the quiet air;
Is it a ghost from the distant past,
Or just a breeze in the radar mast?
Full chorus x 2
Bob Watson has this to say about his song:
"Somewhere about 1983 I heard Jim Lloyd on the BBC (Folk on Two) interviewing he Spinners, one of whom remarked that there was a demand for new sea songs written in the style of the old. I remember thinking; "What on earth would one write new sea songs about?" It took a year before any constructive ideas were formed, then suddenly a load of songs came pouring out of me. Amongst them was
The Shantyman, although I don't know exactly what was the inspiration behind it. Most of my songs take a long time from first draft to finished version, sometimes years, but this song progressed faster because of the interest shown by Tony O'Neil when he saw a rough draft. Tony liked the song, but not all the verses, so I went home and rewrote some of them. This led to the song making its debut at Bracknell Folk Festival in 1984, sung by Tony, and its live recording is a treasured possession. From that first performance other people heard it and have taken to singing it..."
Text and notes are quoted from The Shanty Crew's 1989 recording, Stand To Yer Ground (PROP 1885A)
MD
Shiny O
Captain Captain you are a Dandy
Chorus: Way Hey Shiny O
Captain Captain you love your brandy
Chorus: Way Hey Shiny O
Captain Captain Won’t you ferry me to Dover
Captain Captain Won’t you ferry me to Dover
From Queenstown to Dover’s a hundred miles or over
From Queenstown to Dover’s a hundred miles or over
Captain Captain I love your daughter
Captain Captain I love your daughter
Shiny O is the Captains daughter
For her I’d sail across the water
Hen and chickens are flying over
When she pitches she pitches into Dover
Rivers, Rivers, Rivers are a rolling
Rivers are a rolling and I can’t get over
Captain Captain you are a dandy
Captain Captain you love your brandy
Ship of the Line
By Norman Jacobs 2018
Come now my lads let me sing you a song
about a brave fighting ship of the line
She was two thousand tons and bore ninety eight guns
that three decked ship of the line.
Chorus
And her cannons roared and they fired some more
and the British won the day in Trafalgar's bay.
The Temeraire stood tall in the face of it all
that second rate ship of the line,
Captain Harvey and his crew they were gallant and true
in that Neptune class ship of the line.
To Trafalgar they went death and destruction the intent,
In that brave fighting ship of the line,
To meet Nelson's fleet, the French and Spanish
to beat in that three decked ship of the line.
It was agreed the Temeraire would lead
that second rate ship of the line,
Said Nelson stay back, I will lead the attack
in my hundred gun ship of the line.
Into the fray they sailed that day,
those brave fighting ships of the line,
Many brave souls would be lost in the shoals
from those stout hearted ships of the line.
To the Victory's heed the Temeraire did speed
that second rate ship of the line,
In a single broadside over two hundred died
in that French third rate ship of the line .
Two French ships did she take
that brave fighting ship of the line,
The fighting was done and the battle was won
in that second rate ship of the line.
Chorus x2
Her cannons roared then
they fired no more
and the British won the day
in Trafalgar's bay.
Six Feet of Mud
By Cyril Tawney
Roll on the drums, oh! me time has come
Let’s get it over with before I start to hum in
Chorus:
Six feet of mud, six feet of mud,
Nine fathoms of water and six feet of mud.
Haul down the flag and sew up the bag
One consolation-the wife can’t nag me in
Fire the last salute and slide me down the chute
But don’t send me overboard in me tiddly suit into
Sound the last post and pray for me ghost
For in three day’s time I’ll be washed up on the coast
There’s a billet to let and I hope you don’t forget
To break the news to Greenburgh’s I’m in Crown debt
In a year on this tub it’s me first green rub
And there ain’t a man among you can do me a sub
I said to the doc “It’s a race against the clock
‘Cos in three hours time we’ll be in dry dock
Skipper Jan Rebeck
Who's the king of the 'Fighting Dutch'
(Skipper Jan Rebeck)
And who do the sailors fear so much
(Skipper Jan Rebeck)
Chorus:
And it's ya ya leave your hammock
Ya ya hands on deck
Ya Ya break your back
For skipper Jan Rebeck
And who can furl a main topsail
All by himself in a living gale
Who bought all the tea in China
And sold it all in Carolina
And when he got a ship of his own
Twas brute force kept him on the throne
And who can drink his weight in beer
And who takes two baths every year
Who sleeps with four girls every night
One black one yellow one red one white
Who's the king of the 'Fighting Dutch'
And who do the sailors fear so much
South Australia
One of many versions
In south Australia I was born,
Chorus: Heave away, haul away,
South Australia is my home,
Chorus: And we're bound for south Australia
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Full Chorus
Haul away you rolling kings,
Heave away, haul away,
Haul away you'll hear me sing
We're bound for South Australia
I walked out one morning fair.
And there I met miss Nancy Blair.
I ran her all night, I ran her all day,
I ran her 'til we sailed away.
I shook her up, I shook her down,
I shook her all around the town.
Nancy dear don't be so glum,
On white stocking day we'll drink hot rum.
Now there's one thing on my mind,
That's leaving Nancy Blair behind. (Or, Leaving Nancy's bare behind)
South Australia's a damned find land,
Full of lizards flies and sand. (Or full of rocks, and thieves, and sand.)
I wish I was on Australia's strand.
A bottle of whisky in each hand.
Two old women on Australia's strand,
Say's one to the other ' I wish you was a man;
South Georgia
Norman Jacobs 2019
Chorus
The winds do blow where the whale fishes go,
As they swim fast and free in the deep southern seas.
We'll spear 'em we'll net 'em we'll take 'em in tow,
For the captain does know where the whale fishes blow.
We shipped on a whaler
we're bound for south Georgia,
We've hauled up the anchor
set the main sail and spanker,
Sailed south from the harbour
down through biscay and Trafalgar.
We sailed to ascension
and hauled into Georgetown,
Passed botswain bird island
We called into Jamestown,
We shadowed a schooner
To Tristan de cunha.
For ninety five days
We fought will the waves,
We've arrived at south Georgia
We'll head for a port there,
We'll sail into gritviken
And drink with the whale men.
For six months and more
We'll catch us a store,
We'll fill up the hold
With the whale fishes gold,
Then with whale oil and bone
We'll head for old England and home.
Chorus x 2
Southern Ocean
Or Mollymawk   By Bob Watson
Oh the southern ocean is a lonely place
Where the storms are many and the shelter’s scarce
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Chorus: Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
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On the restless water and the troublin’ skies
You can see that mollymawk wheel and fly
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Chorus: Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Chorus:
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Won’t you ride the wind and go, mollymawk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
See the mollymawk floatin’ on his wide white wings
And lord, what a lonely song he sings
Chorus: Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Chorus: Down below Cape Horn
And he’s got no compass and he’s got no gear
And there’s none can tell you how the mollymauks steer
Chorus: Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Chorus:
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Won’t you ride the wind and go, mollymawk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
He’s the ghost of a sailor-man as I’ve heard say
Who’s body sank, and his soul flew away
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
And he’s got no haven and he’s got no home
He’s bound evermore for to wheel and roam
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
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Chorus:
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Won’t you ride the wind and go, mollymawk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
When I gets too weary for to sail no more
Just sink my body far away from shore
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Just set me loose and leave me driftin’ free
And I’ll keep that big bird company
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
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Chorus:
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Won’t you ride the wind and go, mollymawk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Chorus:
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Won’t you ride the wind and go, mollymawk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Spanish Ladies
Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish Ladies
Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain;
For we've received orders for to sail for old England
But we hope in a short time to see you again
Chorus:
We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt seas
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues
(variously 34, 35 and 45 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
The first land we sighted was calléd the Dodman
Next Rame Head off Plymouth, Start, Portland and Wight;
We sailed by Beachy, by Fairlight and Dover
And then we bore up for the South Foreland light
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, let go your cat stopper
Haul up your clewgarnets, let tacks and sheets fly!
Now let ev'ry man toss off a 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
Strike the Bell
Aft on the poop deck
Walking about
There is the second mate
So sturdy and so stout
What he is thinking of
He only knows himself
Oh, we wish that he would hurry up
And strike, strike the bell
Chorus:
Strike the bell, second mate
Let us go below
Look away to windward
You can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass
You can see that it is fell
We wish the you would hurry up
And strike, strike the bell
Down on the maindeck
Working at the pumps
There is the larboard watch
Ready for their bunks
Over to windward
They see a great swell
They're wishing that the second mate
Would strike, strike the bell
Aft at the wheel
Poor Anderson stands
Grasping the spokes
In his cold, mittened hands
Looking at the compass
The coarse is clear as hell
He's wishing that the second mate
Would strike, strike the bell
For'ad in the fo'c'sle head
Keeping sharp lookout
There is Johnny standing
Ready for to shout
"Lights' burning bright, sir
And everything is well"
He's wishing that the second mate
Would strike, strike the bell
Aft the quarterdeck
The gallant captain stands
Looking to windward
With his glasses in his hand
What he is thinking of
We know very well
He's thinking more of shortening sail
Than strike, strike the bell