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The Rosabella | Rolling Down To Suttons Bay | Sloop John B | Mingulay Boat Song | Fidler's Green | Me for the Inland Lakes | Saturday night at sea | I'se the b'ye | The leaving of Liverpoo | Towrope girls | Strike the bell | Drunken sailor | Jamaica Farewell | Cold winds | About Shanties
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The Rosabella (Traditional)
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Verse 1:
One Monday morning in the month of May, one Monday morning in the month of May
 I thought I heard, the Captain say, the Rosabella will sail today
Chorus:
I'm going on board the Rosabella, I'm going on board the Rosabella
I'm going on board, right down to board, the saucy Rosabella
Verse 2:
Good bye you ladies of London town, good bye you ladies of London town
I'd like to stay but I'm going on down, to board the Rosabella
Verse 3:
Around Cape Horn where the dolphins play, around Cape Horn where the dolphins play
around Cape Horn is a mighty long way, on board the Rosabella
Verse 4:
She's a deep water ship with a deep water crew, she's a deep water ship with a deep water crew
we could hug the coast, but darned(?) if we do, on board the Rosabella
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Rolling Down To Suttons Bay (Traditional *)
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*Music-Traditional (Rolling Down To Old Maui)
Additional Words by Captain Jamie Trost and Captain Tom Kastle
Chorus:
Rolling down to Suttons Bay, me boys
Rolling down to Suttons Bay.
We’re homeward bound from Omena Ground.
Rolling down to Suttons Bay.
Verse 1:
It’s a damn tough life, full of toil and strife, we schoonermen undergo.
And we don’t give a damn when the gales are done, how hard the students did moan.
Cause we’re homeward bound from Omena Ground, that’s what the charts do say.
And we don’t give a damn when we hit the dock, Rolling down to Suttons Bay.
Chorus
Verse 2:
Our tanbark sails carry weather pails through the wind and ice and rain.
Our Belgian mate views the science gear with undisguised disdain.
Six hellish trawls we have made through the benthic slime.
A monstrous log is in the net, I think we’ll cut the line.
Chorus:
Verse 3:
We’ll haul our water every morn’ in a four-wheeled dockside cart.
Emily’s our cook but she’s off in Rome, that hoity-toity tart.
We have no grub, it’s a crying shame, it makes our spirits droop.
Our ration today is a steamin’ cup of freeze-dried instant soup.
Chorus:
Verse:4
Now we are anchored in the bay with the plankton all around.
Our Van Dorn bottle is over the side, I wonder what we’ve found.
The messenger is on the way, sliding down the line.
Next we’ll dredge for benthos to coat the decks with slime.
Chorus:
Verse 5:
How soft the breeze through our crosstrees, now the students are far ashore.
That kid at the wheel did whine an squeal, and scream ‘lemme steer some more.’
And now ashore to find a bar, near the water’s edge.
Wakin’ up in the arms of a Blue Crayfish in a big fat Ponar Dredge.
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Sloop John B (Traditional)
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Verse1:
Oh, we sailed on the sloop John B, my grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we used to roam drinking all night
I feel so break up, i want to go home
Chorus:
So, hoist up to John B's sails, see how the mainsail sets
send the Captain ashore, let me go home
I want to go home, I want to go home
I fee so break up, I want to go home
Verse 2:
Oh, the first mate he got drunk, broke in the captain's trunk
Constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone, oh won't you leave me alone
this is the worst trip, I've ever been on
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Mingulay Boat Song (Suttons Bay ) (Traditional)
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(Verse 1)
 What we care how white the Minch is, what we care boys for windy weather
When we know that every inch is, closer homeward to Suttons Bay
(Chorus)
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go boys, heave her head ‘round into the weather
Heel ya ho, boys, let her go boys, sailin’ homeward to Suttons Bay
(Verse 2)
Wives are waiting by the pierhead, lookin’ seaward, fair as the heather
Swing her head ‘round, and we’ll anchor, as the sun sets on Suttons Bay
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Fiddler’s Green (By John Connelly)
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Chorus:
Dress me up in my oilskins and jumper, no more on the docks I’ll be seen
Just tell me old shipmates I’m taking a trip, mates, and I’ll see ‘em someday in Fiddler’s Green
 Verse 1
As I walked by the dockside one evening so rare, to view the still waters and take the salt air
I heard an old fisherman singing this song, “Oh, take me away boys, me time is not long.”
Verse 2
Now, Fiddler’s Green is a place I’ve heard tell, where fishermen go when they don’t go to Hell
Where the weather is fair and the dolphins do play, and the cold coast of Greenland is far, far away
Verse 3
The sky’s always clear and there’s never a gale, and the fish jump on board with a flip of their tail
You can lie at you leisure, there’s no work to do, and the skipper’s below making tea for the crew
Verse 4
And when you’re in dock and the long trip is through, there’s pubs and there’s clubs,
and there’s lassies there too
Now the girls are all pretty and the beer is all free, and there’s bottles of rum hanging from
every tree
Verse 5
I don’t want a harp or a halo, not me. Just give me a breeze and a good rolling sea
And I’ll play my old squeezebox as we sail along, with the wind in the rigging to sing me this song
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Me for the inland lakes (by Tom Kastle)
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Chorus:
 It's me for the inland lakes, me boys, me for the inland lakes
I'll not be sailin' a deep sea hack, it's me for the inland lakes
Verse 1
If ever I follow the ships again, to gather my spuds and cakes
I'll not be sailin' a deep sea hack. it's me for the inland lakes
Verse 2
You'll get a berth that's really a berth, and jaw the skipper takes
no end, I swear, it's a wonderful life, it's me for the inland lakes
Verse 3
The runs are short and the vessels are sound, and real men are the mates
they are the men that can handle a ship, it's me for the inland lakes
Verse 4
Late gales may blow and the seas run high, and the lee's full of country jakes
but our quarters are warm and the grub is good, it's me for the inland lakes
Verse 5
Two dollars a day they often pay, much better than ocean crates
an' when the season's gone, all winter you bum, it's me for the inland lakes
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Saturday Night at Sea (Traditional)
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Chorus:
Saturday night at sea, my boys, Saturday night at sea
Let every gallant sailor sing, Saturday night at sea
Verse 1:
A sailor loves his gallant ship and shipmates bold and free
 And ever welcomes with delight, Saturday night at sea
Verse 2:
One hour a week we’ll snatch from cares as through the world we roam
We’ll think of dear friends far a way and all the joys of home
Verse 3:
When sailing o’er the bounding main, with spirits light and free
Our thoughts oft turn to home again, to friends across the sea
Verse 4:
There’s toil and danger in our lives, but let us jovial be
And drink to sweethearts and to wives on Saturday night at sea
Extra Verses:
We think of those right beings who reject with joy our lives
And raise to Heaven a prayer to bliss, our sweethearts and our wives
Our messmates filled with cheer from home, tonight no one will fail
No matter how the billows roll, or roars the ocean gale
Twas Saturday night, a twinkling star shone on the rippling sea
No duty called a jovial tar, the helm was lashed alee
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I’se the B’ye (Traditional)
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Chorus
I’se the b’ye that builds the boat, I’se the b’ye that sails her
I’se the b’ye that catches the fish, and takes them home to Lisa
Verse 1
Swing your partner Sally Thibault, swing your partner Sally Brown
Fogo, Twillingate, Musgrave Harbor, all around the circle
Verse 2
I took Sally to a dance, and faith but she could travel
And every step that she would take, was up to her knees in gravel
Verse 3
Susan White, she’s out of sight, her petticoat wants a border
Old Sam Oliver, in the dark, he kissed her in the corner
Verse 4
Salts and rinds to cover your flakes, cake and tea for supper
Codfish in the spring of the year, fried in lemony butter
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The Leaving of Liverpool (Traditional)
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(Verse 1)
 Farewell to you, my own true love, I am going far away
I’m bound for California, though I know I’ll return one day
(Chorus)
So fare thee well, my own true love, when I return united we will be
It’s not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me, but my darling when I think of thee
(Verse 2 & 3)
I’ll sail on yankee sailing ship, David Crockett is her name
And Burgess is the captain of her, and they say she is a floating shame
‘Tis my second trip with Burgess, and I think I know him well
If a man’s a sailor then he’ll get along, if he’s not he’s bound for hell
(Verse 4)
Now the sun is on the harbor, my dear, and I wish I could remain
For I know ‘twill be a long, long time, before I see you again
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Towrope Girls (by C. fox Smith)
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Verse 1
 Oh, a ship in the tropics, rolling along, every stitch drawing, the trades blowing strong
The whitecaps around her all breaking in spray,
Oh the girls have got hold of our towrope today…
Chorus
And it’s haul away girls, steady and true, Polly and Dolly and Sally and Sue
Mothers and sisters, sweethearts and all,
It’s haul away, all the way, haul away, haul away girls
Verse 2
She’s logging 16 as she speeds from the south, with the wind in her royals,
with a bone in her mouth
With a wake like a mill race she rolls on her way, or the girls have got hold of our towrope today…
Verse 3
Don’t you hear the good tradewind blowing aloud, a homeward bound chantey in sheet and in shroud
Oh hear how it whistles in halyard and stay, Oh the girls have got hold of our towrope today…
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Strike the Bell (Traditional)
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Chorus:
Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below.
Look you well to windward you can see it’s going to blow
Look at the glass, you can see that it is fell, we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell
Verse 1:
Down on the main deck, working at the pumps,
there is the larboard watch ready for their bunks
Over there to wind’ard they see a great swell. They’re wishing that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
Verse 2:
Aft at the wheel poor Anderson stands, grasping the spokes in his cold mittened hands
Looking at the compass the course is clear as hell. He’s wishing that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
Verse 3:
For’ard at the fo’c’sle head, keeping sharp lookout,
there is Johnny standing ready for to shout
“Lights burning bright, sir, and everything is well.” He’s wishing that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
Verse 4:
Aft on the quarterdeck the gallant captain stands,
looking to windward with his glass in his hand
What he is thinking of we know very well, he’s thinking more of shortening sail than strike, strike the bell
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Drunken Sailor (Traditional)
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(verses)
Put him in the long-boat 'til he's sober .......
Trice him up in a runnin' bowline ......
Take him and shake him and try and wake him .......
Soak him in oil 'til he spouts a flipper .......
Shave his belly with a rusty razor .......what shall we do with a drunken sailor?
what shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor, ear-lye in the morning?
(chorus)
Way, hey an'up she rises! Way, hey and up she rises!
Way, hey an'up she rises, ear-lye in the morning!
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Jamaica Farewell (by Lord Burgess)
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(chorus)
But I'm sad to say, that I'm on my way, won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around, I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
(verse 1)
Down the way where the nights are gay, and the sun shines brightly on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship, and when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
(verse 2)
Sounds of laughter everywhere and the dancers swinging to and fro
I must declare that my heart is there, though I've been from Maine to Mexico
(verse 3)
Down at the market you can hear, ladies cry out while on their heads
they bear, Ake rice, sailt fish are nice, and the rum is fine any time of year
(Flemish verse)
Ik ben zo alleen, zo heel alleen Want ik mis iets moois om me heen
Mijn hart dat huilt, ik voel mij somber en down
Ik liet mijn meisje achter ginds, in Kingston-town
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Cold winds (by Tom Kastle)
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Chorus:
Cold winds blow across the harbor
Cold winds on the inland sea
 Same winds that called our fathers.
Cold winds are calling me
Verse 1:
Ice forms on deck and whiskers. Light a fire and stay below
Shut up tight, the winds a whisper. Pass the bottle, it’s time to go
Verse 2:
Rise up rise up, and dog the hatches.
Mind your hands, they’re cracked and sore
Check the lines on your way inland. Time to get a job ashore
Verse 3:
Sun and spray and full moon autumns.
Wood and water, frost and stone
Early snows mean early winters.
Taste each season as it goes
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 Sea Shanties (chanties): The word "chanty" (or shanty) is probably derived from the French word "chanter" - to sing. Shanties were originally shouted out, with emphasis on a syllable or word as sailors performed their work. Shanties developed separate rhythms for the various chores at sea - for raising the anchor (which was done by marching around the capstan), hauling ropes, etc.
Most songs involved a lead singer and a choral response. The words were called out by a chantyman and the men joined in on the chorus. The words of the chorus usually coincided with a heave, or pull.
Shanties served both as a mental diversion and synchronized teamwork. They also provided an outlet for sailors to express their opinions in a manner which would not cause punishment. The "golden age" of shanties was in the donotuse-nineteenth century.
Types of chanties :
Capstan shanties: The capstan was a mushroom shaped object with holes along the top. Sailors inserted bars into the holes and marched around the capstan to raise the anchor. Capstan shanties had steady rhythms and usually told stories because of the length of time (which could be hours) it took to raise the anchor. Sailors would stamp on the deck on the words. This gave rise to the term, "stamp and go chanties."
Halyard shanties: Halyard shanties were sung to the raising and lowering of sails. Sails hung from wooden cross-pieces called yards. With the canvas and wood, sails could weigh between 1,000 and 2,500 pounds. To set sail a member of the crew would climb the rigging to loosen the canvas. On deck the crew would take hold of a line called the halyard (for haul + yard). The crew would rest during the verse and haul during the chorus. Depending on the weight of the sail, crews could pull one (for heavy jobs) to three (for lighter jobs) times per chorus.
Short drag shanties: Very difficult tasks meant crews could pull less. Short drag shanties were used for such tasks - such as trimming the sails or raising the masthead.
Windlass and pumping shanties: the windlass is also used to raise the anchor. Sailors would pump handles up and down, making the barrel of the windlass rotate to bring the anchor chain up. Pumps were fitting in ships to empty the bilge (the lowest part of the ship) of water. Wooden ships leaked, but not so fast that the crew could not pump the water out. There were several different types of pumps, which accounts for the variation in the timing of pumping shanties.
Ceremonial shanties and forecastle songs: Ceremonial and forecastle (the crews quarters) songs were those sung by sailors on their time off (of which they didn't have a great deal). These usually told stories of famous battles, romance or of their longing for home. Ceremonial shanties were for times of celebration, such as when the sailor paid off his debt to the ship or when they crossed the equator.
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