Rise Me Up From Down Below [280-281] (206-207)

It is a stamp 'n' go chantey sometimes known by names like "Whiskey-O" or "John, Rise Her Up," or erroneously as "Whiskey Johnny." The propigated version-- I believe due to the influence of recordings by Louis Killen and by Ewan MaColl and A.L. Lloyd, uses the solo verses of the actual "Whiskey Johnny" chantey. That version also has a different melody to it than what we have here.

It was enlightening to study Hugill (possibly more "authentic"?) version...and hard to erase popular recorded version from the brain! Hugill writes: "This was very popular in Yankee ships with coloured crews...According to [Barbadian chanteyman] Harding, the tune is a Jamaican work-song taken to sea by West Indian seamen and altered to suit their needs." The lyrics and melody certainly do sound more positively African-American (in my opinion). The recorded version, on the other hand, has lent itself to interpretation as an Irish-ish song...with the inevitable hijacking as a drinking song.

Also found in:
Doerflinger 1951

Please check out the whole chanteys project playlist, at http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=58B55DD66F22060C

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sea
• shanty
• chantey
• stamp
• go
• whiskey
• johnny
• rise
• me
• her
• up