The Mermaid [560-561]

Not the 'usual' version!
The tune here is completely different from the "folk music" (think -- Clancy Brothers Irish revival band) that one hears nearly everywhere. As an example, of that tune/composition, I'll use these guys, because I like they sing a cappella:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XsRevUyrGk

Funny too, this version I'm singing never does mention a "mermaid" per se. But the "fair pretty maid," one must presume is that mer-maid, and her appearance is a portent for the deadly storm.

Harlow (from an 1875 voyage) gave a version of this for the capstan that has a tune appreciably similar to Hugill's, as was its chorus matching, too.

A capstan chantey. It's "story" derives from an 18th century ballad. Child collected one such ballad in his famous set, under the title of "The Seamens' Distress," dating it to possibly 1765. However, remember that that was not a chanty, and its 14 verse (no chorus) text is different (the "story" only being the same).

The present form of text is attested in an 1830 novel called THE WANDERINGS OF TOM STARBOARD. The song was later collected in 1840 from a Mr. Charles Sloman, and given in an 1859 work on ballads by Chappell. We can see Chapell's form copied by LA Smith in her 1888 collection of sea music. The tune is like that of Harlow and, by extension, like the one I am singing.

So where did today's rootin'-tootin' melody come from?

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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sea
• shanties
• NOT
• Great
• Big
• Sea

[saltywalt]

I LOVE it!

Thanks for this tune, it feels much better. I too have some opinions on how this song has changed, but I'll save 'em till after I've reread what I found.

Thanks for your great work.

[hultonclint]

@saltywalt Cool, man, glad to hear your thoughts. As you know, it's hard to re-program your brain to hear + sing a different tune after hearing another for years.

[geoff1945]

Stripped down for action! The chorus is sounding mighty fine here, Ranzo

[hultonclint]

@geoff1945 Thanks, Geoff, I was trying to evoke the dark and stuffy forecastle at night :)

[oopspaw]

oh ranzo, this was so much fun! i was tapping my toe and singing along with the chorus before i knew it! great job! plus, those are some great looking tattoos you've got! .. =D

[hultonclint]

@oopspaw Thanks, Katie, everyone loves a good sing along chorus! heh heh

[venazur]

The most revealing ever!!! Amazing performance!

[beartickler41]

ur best one yet ranzo! ur voice never sounded better!