Donkey Riding [145-148] (117-120) - *with capstan demonstration*

I captured this video on 14 June 2009 at Mystic Seaport (Connecticut), and afterwards thought it would be perfect to exemplify this chantey, which I had not yet officially recorded for the Stan Hugill/"Shanties from the Seven Seas" series. Not only is the sung rendition first class, it is also being performed in a quasi-authentic environment.

*While one of the goals of my project is to ~personally~ learn and perform all the chanteys,...it's OK :) I know this one well and have performed it plenty. So I am very pleased to be able to post this example, which is much better than another vid of my ugly mug. Incidentally, at the recent 4-day 30th Sea Music Festival, the chantey "Donkey Riding" and its close relative, "Hieland Laddie" were some of the most-sung chanteys.

"Donkey Riding" seems to be basically an extended form of "Hieland Laddie" -- that Scottish march that was taken over and adapted as a work song by stevedores, sailors, and other laborers. There is a bit of irony and/or parody to the chantey because the "donkey engine," to which the chorus refers, was a steam-powered winch for loading cargo that would have, in a way, replaced the function of the capstan. Perhaps the sailors were poking fun at the man who takes it easy just "riding the donkey" as opposed to the work of heaving the ol' capstan round! Hugill especially connects the chantey to the various ports of the timber trade, like eastern Canada and Liverpool.

Hugill: "Much improvisation was given to this song and many indecent lines found in the regulation verses." Ironically, "Donkey Riding" is often given a "children's song" type of treatment, especially in Canada, I think, where it probably at one point found its way into the school systems or a children's book/recording and has since propagated -- no doubt to its references to Canadian places. --That and a likely literally interpretation of "donkey riding."

Note, for formality's sake (if you are following with the text) that the melody of this version, which is very common among singers nowadays, does diverge from the pitches set in Hugill. Roughly speaking, this one stays in minor throughout, whereas Hugill's begins in major and goes to the relative minor at the end (you can get a taste of that melody in the "Hieland Laddie" vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t425KzdvrXo&fmt=18
)

Marching around the capstan and explaining are Mystic Seaport's excellent demonstration squad. These very skilled and knowledgeable specialists are able to perform all the functions aboard ship, some which they demonstrate at one of the only places where one can see them nowadays.
(Note that for the sake of demonstration, the capstan is being used just to haul up a lifeboat at the side of the vessel, "Joseph Conrad.") Please see http://www.mysticseaport.org/

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

(P.S. - If anyone in this video would like their names credited, please contact me and I will do so. I leave them uncredited by default.)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sea
• shanty
• chantey
• capstan
• mystic
• seaport
• timber
• drogher
• quebec
• mirimichi
• sailor
• work
• song
• windlass

[stat1791]

WOnderful, wonderful, wonderful! I found this when searching for the Black Family's version of this chantey. Excellent!

[hultonclint]

I'm glad you found this! It is sad how rare simple clips like this are. And I hope they see your kind comment.

[alphalink]

lol did he mention Donkey Kong?? XD

[hultonclint]

LOL

"wuz ye never in Hong Kong?

Playin' Q-bert an' Donkey Kong?"

nah, he says "hong-ki-kong"...a phrase about which there has been considerable speculation...!

[philipsmovies]

147 sea shanties to go, this is however a fantastic and enjoyable ride. Excellent version guys.

[hultonclint]

I hope they will see your compliments.

[ProthoPectore]

does the outside leg grow longer than the inside leg?

watched a program about sam colt gettin the idea for a revolver cylinder from a capstan....

no mind;)

very cool vid.

very cool info.

[jentrevors]

Miramichi represent :)

[Mandolinpossum]

I love how you can hear the difference in their stomping about as soon as he starts singing. I suppose it doesn't demonstrate how effective work chanteys were any better than that!

[Chanteysinger]

The woman speaking from :24 to :43 is Mary K. Bercaw-Edwards. She is the foreperson of the Mystic Seaport Marine Outdoor Demonstration Squad, she is also a college professor with a Ph.D. in English Literature, with a specialty in Herman Melville. I consider Mary K. to be one of the foremost authorities in the world on sailor's work and culture. And I am also very honored to consider her a mentor and friend.

Great job with the video, as always, Gibb!