Munk

Regie Speaking of black work songs are you familiar with the Lomax recordings?

i agree that the song is probably of black origin, i dont much know of it...i have a feeling its a 19th century tune.....id email mystic seaport...they are usually pretty good about helping out

Capn rob,

Thank you So much for your reply Iam speechless you truly had a blessed childhood to come up with such an exposure to our history. Especially with your fathers first hand experiences! I remember when I was 11 or 12 my dad took me to a friends house that we reenacted with his father had been a coal mine worker in the Depression he played me a caset tape he had with an interview of his father before he passed asking him about mine life and working conditions. It was unbelievable its these little pieces of americana that keep me enthralled with history as you never know when you will meet some one who has lived it. Now I must ask with this shantie you siad it was used to gather the bunt on the purse siene can you please tell me what that means?

The Shantey is being sung by my friend Craig Edwards, of the group Forebitter. These were the four Shantymen doing the Sea Music Program at Mystic Seaport Museum. One day they had the idea to try a quartet and it worked! I think he learned it from the Menhaden Fishermen from Beaufort, NC and it was used to gather in the "Bunt" of the Purse Siene in the Menhaden Fishery. A "Gandy Dancer" was a Specific job upon the railroad. It was performed by large bands of men of a very low station that worked mainly for keep and drink. The job was to "Tramp" upon the gravel stone laid as ballast for the track to form it to a Road for the Rails. My Dad told me that during the Depression trucks would come from the railroad and gather up a gang of those willing to be a "Gandy Dancer". One summer my Dad worked for a contractor building a road. It was a section of the Post Road (route US1) on a grade fairly steep, outside New Haven, CT, our hometown. He was hired as a "Shaker". He held an Iron Drill Rod as a very large black man whalloped it with a sledge hammer. He said the man has a chant that kept them in synch. It was more a sing song than an actual song but I remember Dad said that hammer would go airborn to "Hard Labor" Whomp! twist the drill and brace. "Make a days pay" Whomp! twist the drill and brace. I'm so glad I learned these things from first hand experience. I was truly Blessed. My father taught me not just sailing but seamanship. History and sense of place by seeing as much of our surroundings as we could. The experiences he had in a very colorful and unique life.

Michael yes i suspecpet that I will be in touch with everyone a little more now that Iam on here

Munk! How goes it? Glad you stopped by, you'll find this place to be a very different creature than the Brethren Forum... but both have their strengths. Glad to see you hear, maybe i'll hear from you more now.

You mean I missed 18th cent. para sailing!? dam!

Munk! welcome aboard.

Great seeing you at Fells Point. Like Sterling said, you missed the "fun time" when the winds kicked up and we had to hold the tents down.

yes it is a shame but with no cold weather gear we were well LOL cold! I am really excited for the year though and cant wait to do more with you guys!

Well, well, look what the cat dragged in... got yer pm over at Facebook...will send out the info this week... Shame you had to leave so early on Saturday... ye missed out on all the fun...

Ok,

So I was trolling through youtube one night as Iam apt to do when I cant sleep and I stumbled across this shantie!

Its Called Blackbird get up. I love this song and it sounds like it has its roots in black working songs.

If any one knows any thing about this song can you please enlighten me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKvW6SCieUE

Hello All,

Munk Here some of your probably know me. I have been reenacting since I was only three my father started me in civil war reenacting which I still do to this day.

About Five years ago I decided to pursue my life long passion of the golden age and picked up pirate reenacting as a second hobby.

I severed for a time with the pirate Brethren and made alot of good friends in that crew.

I have recently stareted my own crew the mob town Hooligans.

I am new here and decided to join to keep my ear to the ground for new events and to learn more about the era as there is never enough knowledge.

Cheers all

Munk