The Sailor's Way [386-388] (294-296)

This song was used, according to Hugill's informant J. Reed, as both a capstan and pump chantey. However, the other author that gives it, Doerflinger, has it down as a forebitter. Indeed, the lyrics smack of not only something a bit more recent than most chanteys but also a tone which to me does not sound very work-song-ish.

Indeed, it turns out, as brought to light by "Lighter" on Mudcat.org, that Irish poet William Allingham, in an 1877 work, published a poem that is clearly the basis for the verses in this chantey. See that discussion here:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=74266

Nonetheless, though of more recent, composed origin, this piece did enter into the folk process, after which its lyrics were changed a bit, it got a chorus, and most importantly, it got a melody. Doerflinger ascribed to it the tune of "Go to Sea No More":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbXbKaRnWCQ
The tune given here by Hugill (the one I'm singing, with a few of the irregularities sorted out...and new ones added) is yet another, original one. I don't like it that much, but hey-- it's a schmaltzy kind of tune from late 19th century or after.

Some of the interesting things the lyrics mentions are Honolulu and Japanese (or Japanee) girls, which put it in a later period; the Allingham lyric did not make reference to these places/people. Also unlike the published poem, there are two instances of Anglicized Irish phrases: "mavourneen" and "cushla." I wouldnt be surprised if this song was first adapted by the music hall stage before being adopted by sailors.

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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sea
• shanties
• chantey
• sailor
• schmaltz
• waltz
• gay
• peruvian
• girls

[just2w4tch]

thanks for the link, hope this song wasn't too much trouble.  great voice.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for this excellent and informative series.