638. The Sloop John B (Traditional Bahamas) - A Capella

I put up a video of this song not long ago, but couldn't resist adding this one as a companion piece.

Last night, my wife and I went on a boat ride with members of the Hong Kong St David's Society to Rainbow Restaurant on Lamma Island. After several beers both on the hour-long boat ride and with the seafood meal, nothing could stop this group of mainly Welsh guys from bursting into song, led by Terry Brewster. We even got the group at the next table to join in.

This song is also known as "I Wanna Go Home" and "John B Sails". Carl Sandburg collected an early version from John & Evelyn McCutcheon of Treasure Island, West Indies where, according to Sandburg, "time & usage have given this song almost the dignity of a national anthem around Nassau. The weathered ribs of the historic craft lie imbedded in the sand at Governor's Harbor, whence an expedition, especially sent up for the purpose in 1926, extracted a knee of horseflesh & a ring-bolt. These relies are now preserved & built into the Watch Tower."

As I mentioned last time I put up a video of the song, it is possible that the sloop's bad luck was due to its name. "John B" in Afro-Carribean culture, sounds like "jumby" -- a West African term referring to the undead creature that has been anglicized to "zombie."

Alan Lomax collected a version from Cleveland Simmons group at Old Bight, Cat Island, Bahamas in 1935. Blind Blake Higgs, a popular Nassau entertainer, recorded a string band version with the Royal Victor Calypsos in 1952. The first version I heard was by The Weaver's, recorded in 1951. It was also recorded by The Travellers in 1952.

Lonnie Donegan recorded the song in 1960, as did Bud and Travis, and The Kingston Trio had a big hit with it in 1962. probably the best known version these days is the one recorded by The Beach Boys (1966)

It has been recorded by many other artists, including Johnny Cash, Jimmie Rodgers and Roger Whittaker.

For a playlist of all my a capella songs:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E81659B9EA983BB2

For lyrics and chords of my songs go to my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• beach
• boys
• kingston
• trio
• rainbow
• lamma
• terry
• brewster
• hong
• kong
• st
• david
• society

[raindear60]

LOve your video. Waiting for Hurricane Irene and found something to make me smile...

[raymondcrooke]

@raindear60 Glad you enjoyed it. It was fun singing it.

[Lukio1081]

What a great vid! Sounds like you're all having a great time...nothing like an impromptu singalong! Happy days ;.)

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks. Glad you could join us.

[annadams95340]

I remember teaching my kids and grandkids this song. We sounded about as good as your group does (actually you're a little better) and we were sober too.

Wish I could have been there.

Best wishes for the upcoming season (whatever you call it). Is Merry Christmas politically correct in your country?

Ann

[raymondcrooke]

Well, the music in the lift to my apartment is "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" over and over again, so I guess it must be. Actually, I don't think political correctness has quite caught on yet in Hong Kong.

Have you seen my song, "Politically Correct?" It's video No. 5. Theres also a live version somewhere.

[jhmoonman]

Great video! Did their boat make it back????I thought I saw the Captain with three beers too!!!

[capone609]

i wish i was there

[olmmbill]

Great! I love the harmonizing.

[annadams95340]

I'll check out video #5 - thanks.

We go a little overboard over here on the p.c. vocabulary. It's very hard to keep up.