@McGrenzer Ha! yeah, though not so much slam dancing as that "new" run around in a circle thing they do at hardcore shows in recent years :) (from an old punk!)
In the days of the mast, the harsh monotony of the sailor's life would often cause an outbreak of melancholy and a sense that sailors were "all at sea" in more than a nautical sense. Drink wasn't a useful respite, but music and dance were very effective at banishing the blues.
Hence the exuberant dancing and singing shown here. It wasn't "artistic" or "romantic" like a lot of dance: it was aggressively all-male, and an essential part of keeping spirits healthy on board the ship.
Originally any woman referred to as being "in trade" was a euphamism for being a hooker. To "rove" with a woman was to hit the sack with herl In the days this song was new it was considered dirty. me, always enjoyed it.
@mrgabest This information is wrong. Masefield, whom I've cited above, floated that erroneous idea in 1906 when he published fanciful (made up, not traditional) literary versions of chanties. Whatever comes up on Google must be disreputable sources that have bought into this "urban legend." The chanty ahs nothing to do with 1608 play; it just has the "anatomical progression" theme which was common to many songs. Try to find this song earlier than the 1880s -- good luck!
@mrgabest Why is it "correct"? The chorus says, "a-roving," so that's how most people have labeled it. Why oldest? First labeled publication was as "A-Roving" in Davis & Tozer's 1887 work, followed by 'A-Roving" in Luce's 1902 collection. Masefield was first to slap the label "Maid of Amsterdam" in 1906, unfortunately he also created the myth that it was connected to a centuries old play. I personally don't care what you call it, if if you're going to insist, provide some proof!
@mrgabest Are you referring to the The Rape of Lucrece? I was under the impression that the play debuted in 1640, and although the song mentioned there bears some similarity to A-Rovin, it is certainly not the shanty itself. The song in the play was a "catch", which is essentially a round, and not a shanty.
@thewhohendrix Yes, that's what he's referring to. It was just an idea floated by the poet Masefield in 1906. He liked to try to connect as many chanties as possible with "old" English stuff; that was his bias. Subsequent authors around that time repeated the idea as filler when introducing the song in their own anthologies, and it became an urban legend. For some reason, people feel the need to mention that evry time they introduce the song. Google indeed.
Movies were much better in the days before Hollywood (as well as our tv, newspapers, etc.) was monopolized by Jews. Nowadays our media is filled with filth.
You're stupid, prejudiced and vile. Jews have contributed to Hollywood (and the arts in general) long before, during and after Moby Dick was produced. We've also contributed to science and literature, economics and medicine, far out of our tiny percentage of the world population, to say nothing of influencing the major Western Religions and Western Civilization. You're a moron and I couldn't let your vile, and factually incorrect, view pass without a response.
@TheRacherry My apologies, hultonclint. FYI, Tommy Makem and Ryan's Fancy do a nice version of "A Rovin"; it's part 1 of a TV show they did many years ago.
Last thing you wanted was to go to sea for 3 years with a dose, especially considering "medicine" at sea. These are all the crew of the Pequod and would know better than to show up hung over and slopy for setting sail. Too dangerous up in the rigging with a hangover. This is a crew and as such close as family. Last evening for a drink on land, a warm fire, and time at ease. Important to get Ishamel accepted and feeling a part of the crew, even though they don't know he's for the Pequod yet
@jrwel14 You're right. Hauling shanties were strictly for work. Heaving shanties, however, were often adapted from entertainment songs sung on shore. So it's not impossible that people may have sung "A-rovin'" in a pub. Well, at least the film makers chose a song that was *possibly* a pub song.
@hultonclint My comment about the Blood Red Roses being a way for the Navy to make fun of the marines and therefore wouldn't be a song for the whalers? The line "Pinks and Poses"
@jrwel14 Theres no proof there was any "Blood Red Roses" shanty. It appears as "Bunch of Roses" on merchant ships. AL Lloyd seems introduced "blood red," + theres no info where he got that from; we know he made up a lot of stuff. Where there is evidence of "bunch of roses" its mostly Black people singing it. The "Navy" story is pure fantasy by Hugill. He imagined it was from the time of Napoleon, but we have no proof such shanties existed during that time, + plenty of evidence they didnt exist.
Plus we have statements that such shanties were not allowed in the Navy. Whether or not that particular song was sung on any whalers, we don't know, however shanties were definitely sung on whalers. Regardless, it has nothing to do with whaling specifically, either.
@jrwel14 No, no evidence from sailing days.Those books and the Internet copy what was started by AL Lloyd. Unfortunately, everybody copies that, now everyone makes up stories to explain "blood red." Folk Revival singers of the 1950s/60s were not too worried about facts, and they made up stories to suit their imagination. In this case, people hoped to imagine shanties were older and very British, but evidence shows they were not that old and most hauling shanties were based in Afr-American songs.
Re question from edwardianeccentric: The ship used was actually called Moby dick (built in 1887 as the "Ryelands") and was also used as the "Hispaniola" in the 1950's movie Treasure Island. Sadly she was destroyed by a fire in Morecambe England in 1972.
I think one of the singers is A.L. Lloyd who has made at least two shanty records--one of whaling songs and another of shanties with Ewan MacColl. I have those on CD. I do "A-Rovin'" whenever I play out.
@19smokey19 it's my langest dream tae build up a tavern like that ... still hae the stable fur that beneath my house ... when I hae finished it someday, I'll invite ye tae hae a guid pint 'n' dram an' sing an' dance along wi' us clarty baggars ;o)
Do you mean in another recording? If so, countless groups sing it! :) Regular people who don't make recordings sing it all the time, it being a "folk" song.... sorry I'm not answering your question, but I want to encourage people to sing themselves!!
I've wondered since these guys are all shipping out for two years the next day, wouldn't there be more entertaining places to hang out? I mean, d'ja ever hear of women, fer cryin' out loud?
It's funny that Peter Coffin's voice is dubbed by director John Huston. Why Huston did it is curious as actor John Tomelty had a very nice Irish brogue.
Yeah, that's the name. There are a lot of recordings of it, if you look around. I like the recording by "Salty Dick" -- if you don't mind bawdy songs, check that out.
19th Century slam-dancing.
McGrenzer 2 months ago
@McGrenzer Ha! yeah, though not so much slam dancing as that "new" run around in a circle thing they do at hardcore shows in recent years :) (from an old punk!)
hultonclint 2 months ago
In the days of the mast, the harsh monotony of the sailor's life would often cause an outbreak of melancholy and a sense that sailors were "all at sea" in more than a nautical sense. Drink wasn't a useful respite, but music and dance were very effective at banishing the blues.
Hence the exuberant dancing and singing shown here. It wasn't "artistic" or "romantic" like a lot of dance: it was aggressively all-male, and an essential part of keeping spirits healthy on board the ship.
Love this clip!
Anekantavad 4 months ago 2
Rovin's been my RU-I-N
MrArmyguyDave 4 months ago
were singing this in my choir!
Purplishous555 4 months ago 3
@Purplishous555 Greasy Luck to ye!
hultonclint 4 months ago
Originally any woman referred to as being "in trade" was a euphamism for being a hooker. To "rove" with a woman was to hit the sack with herl In the days this song was new it was considered dirty. me, always enjoyed it.
shellback1978 6 months ago
@mrgabest This information is wrong. Masefield, whom I've cited above, floated that erroneous idea in 1906 when he published fanciful (made up, not traditional) literary versions of chanties. Whatever comes up on Google must be disreputable sources that have bought into this "urban legend." The chanty ahs nothing to do with 1608 play; it just has the "anatomical progression" theme which was common to many songs. Try to find this song earlier than the 1880s -- good luck!
hultonclint 9 months ago
The correct (or at least oldest) name of this shanty is 'the Maid of Amsterdam'.
mrgabest 9 months ago
@mrgabest Why is it "correct"? The chorus says, "a-roving," so that's how most people have labeled it. Why oldest? First labeled publication was as "A-Roving" in Davis & Tozer's 1887 work, followed by 'A-Roving" in Luce's 1902 collection. Masefield was first to slap the label "Maid of Amsterdam" in 1906, unfortunately he also created the myth that it was connected to a centuries old play. I personally don't care what you call it, if if you're going to insist, provide some proof!
hultonclint 9 months ago
@hultonclint The song first appeared in 1608, in a play by an English man named Robert Heywood.
I assumed that anyone with a computer could google that information if they cared to. You've made my error woefully apparent.
mrgabest 9 months ago
@mrgabest Are you referring to the The Rape of Lucrece? I was under the impression that the play debuted in 1640, and although the song mentioned there bears some similarity to A-Rovin, it is certainly not the shanty itself. The song in the play was a "catch", which is essentially a round, and not a shanty.
thewhohendrix 6 months ago
@thewhohendrix Yes, that's what he's referring to. It was just an idea floated by the poet Masefield in 1906. He liked to try to connect as many chanties as possible with "old" English stuff; that was his bias. Subsequent authors around that time repeated the idea as filler when introducing the song in their own anthologies, and it became an urban legend. For some reason, people feel the need to mention that evry time they introduce the song. Google indeed.
hultonclint 6 months ago
Movies were much better in the days before Hollywood (as well as our tv, newspapers, etc.) was monopolized by Jews. Nowadays our media is filled with filth.
stepheng1483 1 year ago
@stepheng1483 Screen-name fail: 1483 = Heil Clitler! Hey, I should put 83 in *my* screen-name.
hultonclint 1 year ago
@hultonclint
You're stupid, prejudiced and vile. Jews have contributed to Hollywood (and the arts in general) long before, during and after Moby Dick was produced. We've also contributed to science and literature, economics and medicine, far out of our tiny percentage of the world population, to say nothing of influencing the major Western Religions and Western Civilization. You're a moron and I couldn't let your vile, and factually incorrect, view pass without a response.
TheRacherry 10 months ago
@TheRacherry OK, but also learn to use YouTube -- you're responding to the wrong person! The comment comes from someone named "stepheng1483".
hultonclint 10 months ago
@TheRacherry My apologies, hultonclint. FYI, Tommy Makem and Ryan's Fancy do a nice version of "A Rovin"; it's part 1 of a TV show they did many years ago.
TheRacherry 10 months ago
@TheRacherry No problem, thanks.
hultonclint 10 months ago
@stepheng1483 Well said.
ernstbecker1 11 months ago
@stepheng1483
TheRacherry 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@stepheng1483
TheRacherry 10 months ago
why...those sailors are DRUNK!! =O
rofflemows 1 year ago
Last thing you wanted was to go to sea for 3 years with a dose, especially considering "medicine" at sea. These are all the crew of the Pequod and would know better than to show up hung over and slopy for setting sail. Too dangerous up in the rigging with a hangover. This is a crew and as such close as family. Last evening for a drink on land, a warm fire, and time at ease. Important to get Ishamel accepted and feeling a part of the crew, even though they don't know he's for the Pequod yet
surf7lakemich1 1 year ago
hanging around a bar singing and dancing when the next day they sail. Any of these guys ever hear of WOMEN???
diddymuck 1 year ago
Young Basehart has a handsome smile.
McGrenzer 1 year ago
Makes me smile!
ElisabethGraminski 1 year ago
they didn't sing these songs in pubs. They had hauling shanties, stamp and go shanties, others. Each was only sung for the tasks it was made for.
jrwel14 1 year ago
@jrwel14 You're right. Hauling shanties were strictly for work. Heaving shanties, however, were often adapted from entertainment songs sung on shore. So it's not impossible that people may have sung "A-rovin'" in a pub. Well, at least the film makers chose a song that was *possibly* a pub song.
hultonclint 1 year ago
@hultonclint My comment about the Blood Red Roses being a way for the Navy to make fun of the marines and therefore wouldn't be a song for the whalers? The line "Pinks and Poses"
jrwel14 1 year ago
@jrwel14 Theres no proof there was any "Blood Red Roses" shanty. It appears as "Bunch of Roses" on merchant ships. AL Lloyd seems introduced "blood red," + theres no info where he got that from; we know he made up a lot of stuff. Where there is evidence of "bunch of roses" its mostly Black people singing it. The "Navy" story is pure fantasy by Hugill. He imagined it was from the time of Napoleon, but we have no proof such shanties existed during that time, + plenty of evidence they didnt exist.
hultonclint 1 year ago
cont...
Plus we have statements that such shanties were not allowed in the Navy. Whether or not that particular song was sung on any whalers, we don't know, however shanties were definitely sung on whalers. Regardless, it has nothing to do with whaling specifically, either.
hultonclint 1 year ago
@hultonclint But there is evidence of Blood Red Roses. It is listed throughout the internet and books as well.It was a derivative of Bunch of Roses.
jrwel14 1 year ago
@jrwel14 No, no evidence from sailing days.Those books and the Internet copy what was started by AL Lloyd. Unfortunately, everybody copies that, now everyone makes up stories to explain "blood red." Folk Revival singers of the 1950s/60s were not too worried about facts, and they made up stories to suit their imagination. In this case, people hoped to imagine shanties were older and very British, but evidence shows they were not that old and most hauling shanties were based in Afr-American songs.
hultonclint 1 year ago
@hultonclint I saw your bunting shanty video at Mystic. On my Folkways album that was recorded at Mystic, they have Blood red roses.
jrwel14 1 year ago
@jrwel14 Yes. All these trends come after the folk Revival and Lloyd's new version!
hultonclint 1 year ago
@hultonclint Will add.Your Sea Shanties of Moby Dick lists Blood Red Roses.
jrwel14 1 year ago
I wish i had a pub that sang this song then i be there 257 a day.
makosharkman 1 year ago
Does anyone know what Ship portrayed the Pequod in this film and whether it is still extant? Thanks!
edwardianeccentric 1 year ago
Comment removed
Zombihamster 1 year ago
Re question from edwardianeccentric: The ship used was actually called Moby dick (built in 1887 as the "Ryelands") and was also used as the "Hispaniola" in the 1950's movie Treasure Island. Sadly she was destroyed by a fire in Morecambe England in 1972.
Zombihamster 1 year ago
Thanks. Good info.
hultonclint 1 year ago
i dont find the hole german texus..
sorry hultonclint:-(
may ya help me??
greedz
littlehornywolf 2 years ago
I think one of the singers is A.L. Lloyd who has made at least two shanty records--one of whaling songs and another of shanties with Ewan MacColl. I have those on CD. I do "A-Rovin'" whenever I play out.
Kirke182 2 years ago
The Spinners
CityMuso 2 years ago
OMG, Moby Dick is the firs movie I ever saw. And this was my favorite scene. I used to dance like the sailors in my bedroom while watching this
Ubermann88HH 2 years ago 12
@Ubermann88HH same here lad!
ashur24 6 months ago
if they sang in pubs like that i would be there evryday lol the olde days wish i was there..
19smokey19 2 years ago 10
yup!
hultonclint 2 years ago
@19smokey19 me to.
makosharkman 1 year ago
@19smokey19 I agree, it a great thing that we've allowed to slip away, singing together. A pub, a beer, a song with friends. It is a great thing.
surf7lakemich1 1 year ago
@19smokey19 it's my langest dream tae build up a tavern like that ... still hae the stable fur that beneath my house ... when I hae finished it someday, I'll invite ye tae hae a guid pint 'n' dram an' sing an' dance along wi' us clarty baggars ;o)
Fitheach1 4 months ago
It seems like the cast of the film is singing.
Do you mean in another recording? If so, countless groups sing it! :) Regular people who don't make recordings sing it all the time, it being a "folk" song.... sorry I'm not answering your question, but I want to encourage people to sing themselves!!
hultonclint 2 years ago
I've wondered since these guys are all shipping out for two years the next day, wouldn't there be more entertaining places to hang out? I mean, d'ja ever hear of women, fer cryin' out loud?
diddymuck 2 years ago
They were poor. They weren't married men. Perhaps they had previously said good bye to their familes and decided to get drunk.
ErnstBecker 2 years ago
athats a great shanty..
what´s the name of the song??!!
thx for posting:-)
littlehornywolf 2 years ago
name: A-Rovin'!!
:)
Occasionally people also call it "The Maid of Amsterdam"
When I visited Amsterdam very briefly, I was singing this the whole time as I walked the streets, ha ha
hultonclint 2 years ago
lol i believe this one^^;-)
"in amsterdam da wohnt ne mais
die ihr gewerbe gut versteiht,..
sie ist die beste braut für ´nen´seemann weit und breit.
zu teuer zu teuer für eine seemannsheuer."
:-)
littlehornywolf 2 years ago
maid not mais...sry
littlehornywolf 2 years ago
sehr gut!
mehr Deutsch Verse, bitte
auch, siehe mein Video:
/watch?v=RVmCbsMzHrE
hultonclint 2 years ago
It's funny that Peter Coffin's voice is dubbed by director John Huston. Why Huston did it is curious as actor John Tomelty had a very nice Irish brogue.
bikefixer 3 years ago
Interesting! Yeah, who knows? Maybe there were sound issues...or mistakes?
hultonclint 3 years ago
Yeah, probably sound issues. It looks funny cause the voice coming out of Coffin's mouth is loud and robust, yet Tomelty is barely opening his mouth.
Huston also dubbed the line of the whaler climbing to the crow's nest, "I'll be the first to raise the white whale!"
bikefixer 3 years ago
i thought that was John's Hustion voice ''
tsunamiwater 2 years ago
I wondered that for years! perhaps the voice track was lost and the actor was too busy to redo it.
diddymuck 2 years ago
thank u soooooooooooo much!!!
8matic 3 years ago
My pleasure. I love the movie and this song.
hultonclint 3 years ago
hultonclint so is the name of this song a Rovin ' ? i want it to
tsunamiwater 2 years ago
Yeah, that's the name. There are a lot of recordings of it, if you look around. I like the recording by "Salty Dick" -- if you don't mind bawdy songs, check that out.
hultonclint 2 years ago
thank you hultonclint!!!finally i have it!!
otrebor16 3 years ago 2