The Banks o' Newf'n'land [411-414] (314-316)

This song can be considered a parody of the ballad, "Van Diemen's Land":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmzgcpNeshM
But while that song was never more than a forebitter in the maritime context, it's claimed that "Banks of Newfoundland" was also used as a capstan chantey. In order to make it appropriate for that, I've had to be mindful of the rhythm. So whereas, for example, famous recordings by Ewan MacCall et al. use a triple rhythm, this version is in cut-time. One odd thing is the appoggiaturas that are all over Hugill's notation of the chantey. Since you'd want the song to remain in meter, I've chosen to render these "pauses" as of a specified beat length. Note that the melody in the notation is more or less mangled and hard to decipher; in the very least, it is inconsistent. I've "normalized" it a bit, comparing other sources.

It amuses me that some Newfies out there would snatch up this song as something patriotic or regionally-relevant, but the fact is that Newfoundland never really figures into the trip in a significant way. It is the Western Ocean packet ship route from Liverpool to New York, during which they do sail along the banks of Newf'n'land as part of that route. Compare to "The Dreadnaught," and "The Liverpool Packet," both of which mention Newfoundland along the way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDnw_xMzJ9E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqftVU3xZHI

This version collected by Hugill is also worth a listen for its somewhat different verses from the now-popular version. These are somewhat more reserved, and devoid of some of the fancy stuff like girls saying "It's snugger with me than it is at sea..."

"The Hook" = Sandy Hook, at the entrance to lower New York Bay.

Images are of the 1921 Essex-built fishing schooner L.A. DUNTON, at Mystic Seaport. Although this sort of chantey would not have been used on this vessel, I chose the images because her main fishing grounds would have included the Grand Banks off Newfoundland.

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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sea
• shanties
• chanty
• song
• work
• ballad
• folk
• hugill
• stan
• newfie
• newfoundland
• maritime
• nova
• scotia
• lox
• canada
• new
• york

[placentiabayman]

RIGHT ON FRIEND. FINE SHANTY FOR SURE. YOU TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE.

[hultonclint]

@placentiabayman Many thanks, will do! regards,

[yugandali]

Well done! I like your style.

Who harmonizes? You yourself?

[hultonclint]

Thank you very much! Yes, I over-dubbed myself.

[thosuncree]

Keep up the good work me bully boy!

Yer a fine Shantyman. Welcome on my crew anyday.

[hultonclint]

Much obliged, Cap'n! If she's not too leaky and you'd give us grog 3 times a day, I might sign on!

[gdgest]

5*^ Thanks for sharing. :-)

[raymondcrooke]

Another enjoyable and informative video. Thanks, Ranzo.

[hultonclint]

Thanks for watching my video, and hopefully now you've got an idea of the history described in this song.

[TravisDrago]

you got alot of Balls boy