Lowlands Away (A1) [65-66] (60-61)

Perhaps one of the most "plaintive" chanties, "Lowlands" is, I think, best known in major key versions, e.g.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-M5AoXAZco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVx2dl3Hgso

When I first saw this minor key version in Hugill's collection, I was incredulous. Hugill himself has famously recorded the MAJOR key version, but with the lyrics that he ascribes to minor key versions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxFF40xPV7E
Minor key chanties are a bit uncommon, and if one removes the key signature in in Hugill's notation, it becomes major. Given the poor track record in accuracy of Hugill's notations, I thought it quite possible that the key signature was accidental, i.e. this was trult in major, as Hugill sings it on recordings.

But then I heard two women sing it at Mystic seaport, in minor. Incidentally, this is one of the very few chanties voiced from a female perspective. Anyways, one of these women knew Hugill, however I was unable to find out whether her minor version came from his singing or from his (possibly mis-notated) score.

Then, however, I discovered what may be the first literary reference to this chantey, in an article by Alden in 1882. His tune, in minor, is what I am singing here. That minor was fully intended is confirmed by the use of an acciental (natural) to raise the seventh degree at one point. Note: that corrective accidental does not appear in Hugill's notation, so it is unclear how he knew it to be sung. The notation from Alden was reproduced in LA Smith's more influential shanty collection of 1888. However, thereafter -- at least in the collections I have seen-- such a minor key version does not show up (i.e except in Hugill, who also gives a major version). Confused? Well, I guess the main thing is that this version --both the feminine lyric and the minor key melody-- is uncommonly heard.

See the whole "Shanties from the Seven Seas" project, here:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=58B55DD66F22060C

Category:

Music

Tags:

• chanty
• sea
• song
• sailor
• shanty
• chanties
• hugill
• lowlands
• away

[hultonclint]

@raymondcrooke I have been surprised to how little I can find on this song by way of historical references. Some versions sound "obviously" Scottish/Northern English, while others sound "obviously" African-American. The conventional approach, in lieu of data, has been to suppose it was an English theme that was adapted in the Southern U.S. ports.

[raymondcrooke]

Fascinating background information as usual. This one is certainly a bit different!