Sea shanties and maritime music

I remembered that sailors still sing in chorus while they work, and even sing different songs according to what part of their work they are doing. And a little while afterwards, when my sea journey was over, the sight of men working in the English fields reminded me again that there are still songs for harvest and for many agricultural routines. And I suddenly wondered why if this were so it should be quite unknown, for any modern trade to have a ritual poetry... And at the end of my reflections I had really got no further than the sub-conscious feeling of my friend the bank-clerk—that there is something spiritually suffocating about our life; not about our laws merely, but about our life. Bank-clerks are without songs, not because they are poor, but because they are sad. Sailors are much poorer.

G. K. Chesterton, Tremendous Trifles, 1909

This Day in History (February 29, 1908)

This Day in History (January 8, 1806)

The death of Lord Nelson was a national tragedy like no other for England. "From Greenwich to Whitehall Stairs, on the 8th of January, 1806, in one of the greatest Aquatic Processions that ever was beheld on the River Thames" drifted the royal shallop (barge). The event is referenced in the modern lament, Carrying Nelson Home. Nelson is mentioned in nearly a dozen other songs.

Try a random shanty sampling

Paul Jones
Forecastle song

An American frigate, call'd the Richard by name,
Mounted guns forty-four, form New York she came,
To cruise in the channel of old England's fame,
With a noble commander, Paul Jones was his name.

We had not cruised long, before two sails we espied,
A large forty-four, and a twenty likewise,
Fifty bright shipping, well loaded with stores,
And the convoy stood in for the old Yorkshire shore.

Bout the hour of twelve, we came alongside
With long speaking trumpet; whence came you, he cried.
Come answer me quickly, I hail you no more,
Or else a broadside into you I will pour.

We fought them four glasses, four glasses, so hot,
Till forty bold seamen lay dead on the spot,
And fifty-five more lay bleeding in gore,
While the thund'ring large cannons of Paul Jones did roar.

Our carpenter being frightened, to Paul Jones did say,
Our ship she leaks water since fighting to-day
Paul Jones he made answer in the height of his pride,
If we can do no better, we'll sink alongside.

Paul Jones he then smiled, & to his men did say,
Let every man stand the best of his play,
For broadside for broadside they fought on the main,
Like true buckskin heroes we return'd it again

The Ceraphus wove round our ship for to rake,
Which made the proud hearts of the English to ach,
The shot flew so hot, we could not stand it long,
Till the bold British colours from the English came down.

Oh no my brave boys, we have taken a rich prize,
A large forty-four, and a twenty likewise;
To help the poor mothers have reason to weep,
For the loss of their sons in the unfathomed deep.

Go To Sea No More
Forecastle song

When first I went to Frisco boys, I went upon a spree,
My hard earned cash I spent it fast, I got drunk as drunk could be,
Before me money was all gone, or spent on some old whore,
I made up me mind and was well inclined to go to sea no more.

No more, no more, To go to sea no more,
I made up me mind and was well inclined to go to sea no more.

That night I spent with Sally Brown too drunk to roll in bed,
Me clothes was new me money was too, in the morn with them she fled.
A feeling sick I left the house and went down to the shore.
There I went me head all bend and the crimps at me did roar.

Did roar, did roar, the crimps at me did roar.
There I went, me head all bent and the crimps at me did roar.

The first chap I ran afoul of was Mr. Shanghai Brown.
Well I asked him neat if he'd stand the treat; he looks me up and down.
He said "The last time yer was paid off you chalked me up no score.
But I'll give yes a chance and I'll take yer advance, and send yer to sea once more."

Once more, once more, I'll send you to sea once more,
I'll give yes a chance and I'll take yer advance, and I'll send yer to sea once more."

They shipped me aboard of a whaling ship bound for the Arctic Sea.
Where them cold winds blow and the ice and snow would even make Jamaica rum freeze.
I had no clothes I had no gear, me money spent on a whore,
T'was then I swore that when on shore I'd go to sea no more.

No more, no more, I'd go to sea no more,
T'was then I swore that when on shore I'd go to sea no more.

Some times we caught them sperm whales boys and sometimes we caught none.
With a twenty-foot oar stuck in yer paw you pulled the whole day long,
And when the night it came around and yer nodded on your oar,
A man must be blind to make up his mind to go to sea once more.

Once more, once more, To go to sea once more,
A man must be blind to make up his mind to go to sea once more.

So come all you bully sailor lads and listen to me song.
If you listen to me I'll tell to you and let you know what went wrong.
Take my advice don't drink strong rum nor go drinking with no whore.
Get married instead and spend all night in bed and go to sea no more.

No more, no more, and go to sea no more,
Get married instead and spend all night in bed and go to sea no more.