Clear the Track, Let the Bulgine Run (a.k.a. Eliza Lee) [345-347] (258-260)

With help from Ben, Nick, and the old model "bulgine"...

This is one of those songs that screams "chantey"--what other kind of song could it possibly be? According to R. Terry (1921) it was "a favourite in Yankee Packets." Hugil writes: "It was another typical mixture of Irish and Negro sentiments and is one of the many shanties that passed through the shanty mart of Mobile, in this case I should think the tune came from Ireland to Mobile, where the Negroes took it in hand and then at a later date it returned to sea with a few more alterations." The reel-like melodic patterns, the minstrel song lingo, the mish-mash of blues phrases, and mix or railroad and sailing contexts...gives it that chantey flair!

Hugill called it a capstan chantey; Harlow described its use at pumping the windlass to heave up the slack of the anchor. This allows it to be sung at a fairly lively speed.

"Bulgine" is a steam engine; see the previous chantey for a more detailed discussion of the term's scope:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9qditn7g6k

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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sea
• shanties
• chantey
• steam
• engine
• railroad
• irish
• African
• American
• work
• song
• south
• windsor
• bobcats

[yugandali]

The bulgine is a stream engine!? I had never been able to figure out what it meant. Thanks!

[hultonclint]

@yugandali ha ha, yeah! -- As visually illustrated :)

My own opinion is that "bulgine" was marked as a "typically African-American" word when used in 19th c. songs, and that in those days people would have mentally filed the song as a product of Black culture or minstrelsy.

[qljerry]

Very rythmic version, good for work on capstan! Good work!!! :)

[hultonclint]

@chengloki When I briefly visited Honolulu once, I think I spent the most time in Chinatown :D

[chengloki]

@hultonclint We have an excellent China Town here in downtown Honolulu. Don't lve in "Hono", myself. Too congested. I prefer it here in Waianaie. When the tourists discover Waianaie, I'll move to Waimonalo. (They finally got a traffic light out there). Fair winds, and following seas, my friend. Till we speak again. =Stefan=

[hultonclint]

@chengloki :) I need to re-stock my tea! But I can only get that in select Chinatowns in the world, and it is expensive! I love bourbon, but that special tea is a rarity and, in that way, more special - ha!

[chengloki]

@hultonclint Glad there's no hard feelings. Keep up your "Shanty Work". Have a great weekend. I noticed you did not answer about the tea. "Blow the Man Down". I prefer bourbon, myself, LOL. Take care, my friend. =Stefan=

[hultonclint]

@chengloki Thanks, I like them, too!

[chengloki]

Sorry, Clint, I love your other shanties, but the Exmouth Shanty Men got you on this one. (Still drinking that "tea")??? =Stefan=

[hultonclint]

I will convey your kind compliments.