Great big sea- General Taylor

[redwingchief]

I SUPPOSE ALAN DOYLE WILL TRY AND pretend HE wrote THIS song AS well

[Antiflavor]

1 dislike!?? I hate when this happens, just hate it.

At least we have them outnumbered.

[bleuwulf99]

u guys r stupid faggots,it refers to the spanish/english war predating the "new world" so back to ur lame drugs and ur prejudice drawing boards........NEWBS! -_-

[comradeshow]

@bleuwulf99 rofl you guys fell for the troll

[philipemessina]

Seriously, this cannot be a slave worksong. Why do people keep writing that? If people would learn some basic maths skills, they'd be able to deduce this. If the song is about General Taylor, as in General and President of the United States Zachary Taylor, who died in 1850, AND HELD slaves of his own... that would mathmatically and logically make no sense.

[Jourell1]

@philipemessina Aside from people just being disruptive, I believe that people are mixing up the concepts of salve work songs with sea shanties. Granted that they are, at heart the same basic concept: ie keeping up workers spirits and using the song's rythums to co ordinate efforts. I think some people believe only slaves sang when they worked.

[Felixmanable]

This is what I would pay for.

[silversmiles5]

Love it! :) The guys in our Vocal Jazz are singing it :)

[hultonclint]

This is an African-American song seemingly developed among cotton stowers in Southern U.S. Silly Newfie bros got the idea in their heads that they should link chanties with their regional identity, so they sing it without understanding.

[PLCJockey]

@hultonclint - Yup, and "Silly newfie bros" did an awesome job too.

[fairplaychris]

@hultonclint Actually it was written in remembrance of General Zachary Taylor, circa 1950. As was said by Saber42, he fought and won over Mexican General Santa Anna in the Battle of Buena Vista. Also, where do you get the idea that they try to link it with the regional identity? This song is sung world wide by many different peoples, because the song itself has meaning. Granted, not everyone knows the true meaning. Next time you want to sound smart, keep yourself away from the keyboard.

[hultonclint]

@fairplaychris Not true. "Santa Anna on the Plains of Mexico" is a worksong, in many variations (one usually made up new lyrics as one went along) from the oral tradition that entered the (sea) chanty repertoire in the early-mid 19th century. First reference to this form of the song is in Nordhoff's 1850s text, in which cotton screwmen in Alabama sing it. In the late 20th century, Newfies began to connect chanties w/ regional identity, and this song, has been incorporated in that paradigm.

[mrquackadoodlemoo]

all though i never knew general taylor. i always get into it and remove my hat to this song as a sign of respect. dont know why

[jealderson1]

The video I attached to this is the other side of the story! (incorrect though it may be)

[falseflag545]

Why would a newfie band sing about a not so famous american? is it possible your being to literal or perhaps reading about the wrong general tylor?

[RIPCityBeav]

@falseflag545 As has been pointed out by many others, Taylor is a very well known American. Its just that very few people refer to him as "General" anymore as "President" trumps that title.

[aximlii]

@falseflag545 Maybe for the same reason American bands sing about people from all over the world? They're worth making songs about!

[mullens87]

@falseflag545

Why wouldn't they? A good tune is a good tune. They sing folk music and this is a prime example of a great folk tune.

[Saber42]

From wikipedia, learn to google.

Santa Anna attacked Taylor with 20,000 men at the Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847, inflicting 672 American casualties at a cost of 1,800 Mexican.[4] As a result, Santa Anna left the field of battle.[4]

more research, less making up bullshit on the internet to try and sound cool.

14 year olds shouldn't be able to login.

[singinsam21]

@Saber42 I believe this is over 400 years old. That's what they told me in Philadelphia when I met them :/

[Saber42]

@singinsam21 Provide me with links to show any evidence of it being 400 years old. However my comment is still valid because they are referencing that period in time. Did you ask them "hey where does that song come from?" And do you think maybe they just gave you a pretty basic response because you were just one of the many asking? As far as I can tell it's an old shanty, but more like 200 years old. My point here is: Retards are retarded, the song is awesome wherever it came from.

[kashiah1]

i dont know anything about general taylor fighting but i know this song is off the chain these b'ys really rock this song loves it

[ncgamerguy]

yes your correct.. general taylor became a president.. so pretty sure he wasn't a traitor

[MrWilliamholla]

Wait a sec...General Taylor from the Mexican American War? I'm pretty sure he wasn't a traitor. In fact, he became a United States President.

Am I missing something?

[yarekhunt]

@MrWilliamholla this is a Nova Scotia sea chanty.....I doubt its about Zachary Taylor

[MrWilliamholla]

@yarekhunt I wouldn't be so sure...he makes reference to the shellbacks, who are sailors who've gone south of the equator. Anyhow, I'm not saying it is...I don't really know. Awesome song though.

[wardlow909]

unless you are looking at him from an Irish perspective..in which case he was a hero..I suspect one of the Irish gringos who decided that they should fight for the mexicans cause they also were Catholic

[wardlow909]

General Taylor was an actual person in the Mexican American war... He switched sides to fight for the mexicans...so he was in fact a traitor...these are all the things they will not be doing for him..they are mocking him. the story is recorded on the inside cover of the album Great Big Sea "Play"

[LordTharrion]

@wardlow909 You seem confused... Taylor was an american officer all the way and he defeated Santa Ana. It was in fact the British sailors who deserted their own ships to fight for the Mexicans. Their is a British rip off from this which sets out to say that Santa Ana won the battle of Buena Vista where the Americans actually did.

[BoYahPirate]

I LOVE THESE SONGS! LOVE THEM!

[GoodAvatar]

Which General Taylor was this band talking about? In what context? Is this ancient or Civil War? North or South? Who was General Taylor?

[frozenwindshield]

Newfoundlander guys singing, kicking the songs ars = NEWFIE song, thanks for coming out lad

[BNL07604]

Not a Newfie at all, but this is a really good song!

[DonJohnofAustria]

Save the Canadian Seal Hunt!!!! Rock on Newfies

[finlayson13]

love this song it is totaly amazing :) rock on

[kokoligin]

AMAZING SONG IM A 50% NEWFIE!

[newfie550]

lime wire by

[noneyageorge85]

haha royce that was fuckin funny as hell. good song as well though. play on boys!

[AnimeFanChick]

Does anyone know where I can find the MP3 of this song?

[GarlandBJJ]

newfy, not irish

[roycegracie11]

joke

[GarlandBJJ]

buddy if you knew anything about MMA you might survive a round with me, but seeing I now (very partially) co-own a vapoorizer you dont stand a chance. CARRY HIM TO HIS BURYIN' GROUND

[roycegracie11]

you can vaporize my pussy. survive around that