Haul the Bowline (A) [353-354] (265-267)

A triple mega-dose of HultonClint!

One of the most widely recorded/notated chanteys, probably due to its simplicity and transparency, "Haul on the Bowline" is also conjectured to be one of the oldest known. The so-called "bowline" that it mentions has not been used "for any rope on which a shanty would be sung" (Doerflinger 1951) since at least the early 17th century. However, what was called the bowline then was equivalent to what was later called the foresheet; hence, this is a foresheet chantey. It entails just one, hard pull at the end of every refrain.

Hugill's tune has a bit that differs from all other common versions (the low note is on the root, not the third).

I have taken some verses from Harlow's published version as well, and of course added my own about favorite topics like Fujian Oolong and winter drawers.

Perhaps due to its supposed age, this was one of the chanteys used in the 18th century-set first part of the 1977 TV drama "Roots."

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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• haul
• shanty
• chantey
• sea
• song
• work
• foresheet
• sweating
• split
• screen
• wray
• nephews

[benbhavingmadly]

I discovered this song in an old (1939) music book of sea shanties, and then your version bringing it to life via the internet. A clever production, and sung well too. nice one.

[hultonclint]

Much appreciated, thanks. Fortunately, there are lots of recordings of this that one can compare and try to imagine what it really sounded like in the 19th century.

[Beemerboy324]

Yer dear mother must be very proud of you and your "brothers".

[hultonclint]

Yep, but she'd be more proud if I got a good job and got married!

[catamaraner]

ROFL! When it's three of "you" bearded and in dark clothes like that it looks like Amish Shanty Night! :-p I so totally admire you for putting all of these up online! Agree about the headphones, or you can stick a bud in the ear facing away from the camera to preserve your special effect :-)

[hultonclint]

I suppose it doesn't help that some of my ancestors were Pennsylvania-German, ha ha!

[bullyboy1863]

you my friend, are amazing hahahaha

[philipsmovies]

Loved it. Absolutely brilliant.

[chansherly212]

oh.. you could listen to yourself with earphones so none of the background noise comes in (that's what i do), you'd probably have to have a mp3 player handy since you're far away from the computer... but anyways. great job! really cool effect, what program did you use?

[grippocore]

Love it! The unholy trinity in sub-standard sound!

Try recording audio separately.