Shanty Lyrics

[Black Rinalda Kidd]

Well, if you're looking for pre-recorded stuff, a reasonably good one is Michael Longcor's "Boarding Party." It's a great lot of fun to sing along to, most especially "The Grog Song," and it's not songs you generally hear you hear very many places otherwise. Some are old sea songs, some are original works, some are earlier than period, some later, and a few aren't immediately noticeable as being sea-related, but manage it through sort of a back door reference. There's an introduction before each song, but they're easily dispensed with through a little application of technology, but, they are worth listening to for at least one go 'round. I often play it as exercise music when I hit the gym.

[PirateKing]

Bunch of songs and lyrics here:

http://www.thepirateking.com/music/index.htm

Enjoy,

The Pirate King

[CrazyCholeBlack]

The favorite around these parts is "All for Me Grog". Not certain as to it's pyratical authenticity but tis about drink as any good song should be. There are seemingly endless versions brought up with a search.

words and music Traditional

Chorus V1: Well it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog

It's all for me beer and tobacco

For I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin

Far across the western ocean I must wander

Chorus V2: Well it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog

It's all for me beer and tobacco

Well I spent all me tin with the lassies drinking gin

& I think I'll have to sober up tomorrow

Chorus V3: Well it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog

It's all for me beer and tobacco

For I spent all me loot in a house of ill repute

& I think I'll have to go back there tomorrow

Verses:

Where are me boots, me noggin', noggin' boots?

They're all gone for beer and tobacco

For the heels they are worn out and the toes are kicked about

And the soles are looking out for better weather

Where is me shirt, my noggin', noggin' shirt?

It's all gone for beer and tobacco

For the collar is all worn, and the sleeves they are all torn

And the tail is looking out for better weather

I'm sick in the head and I haven't been to bed

Since first I came ashore with me slumber

For I spent all me dough on the lassies movin' slow

Far across the Western Ocean I must wander

Where is me bed, me noggin' noggin bed

It's all gone for beer and tobacco

Well I lent it to a whore and now the sheets are all tore

And the springs are looking out for better whether.

Where is me wench, me noggin' noggin' whence

She's all gone for beer and tobacco

Well her (clap) is all worn out and her (clap) is knocked about

And her (clap) is looking out for better whether.

Where is me man, me noggy noggy man?

He's all gone for beer and tobacco

Well he spends all his time with the women and the wine

So I think that I shall push him over yonder

Finally the lyric by me little Swab is in my sig. She was but 5 when it was written. I wager she'll make a fine pyrate one day.

[Hester]

The Wild Rover

I first learned this song from the local Toronto cow-punk band the Lost Dakotas in the early 90s. I didn't realize at first that the song was traditional, so I was quite surprised to hear the house band at the Black Rose pub in Boston playing it, with the crowd singing along and pounding on tables. I was thrilled to be able to join in.

[Also ate my first whole lobster there, and managed to squirt the juice all the way to the next table, accidentally hitting a German tourist who was thankfully too deep in an animated conversation to notice. Fun night!]

Here's the Lost Dakotas version to download (and don't give me any rag, Jack, about pirating copyrighted material, as the song's traditional, the CD's long OOP, and the band's defunct, so I'm calling it "fair use", arrghh!):

http://tinyurl.com/gfcuu

Cheers, Hester

[Rusty Barrels]

Judging by the date I might be too late to help, since you mentioned a 40th birthday, Jimmy Buffets song (A Pirate looks at forty) might be perfect. Yes I'm a Pirate, two hundred years too late The cannons don't thunder, theres nothing to plunder now I'm an over forty victim of fate. Arriving too late, arriving too late

[PirateKing]

There are about a hundred shanties listed with their lyrics here:

http://www.thepirateking.com/music/index.htm

Hope this helps!

The Pirate King

[Fox]

Ah the Wild Rover...

I went to the market with my brother Jim,

And somebody threw a tomato at him.

Tomatoes are soft and they don't break the skin,

Ah, but this bugger did, it was still in the tin...

or...

I went to a sh**-house I used to frequent,

And told the attendant my money was spent.

I asked him for credit, he answered me "nay",

So I s*at on the floor and said "sweep that away"...

or...

I went to a whore-house I used to frequent,

And told the old madam my money was spent.

I asked her for credit, she answered me "nay",

So I came on her face and said "wipe that away"...

And I really don't think you tender colonials are ready for the "Whale Drover"...

[Edup5]

---

[Dorian Lasseter]

Ah the Wild Rover...

I went to the market with my brother Jim,

And somebody threw a tomato at him.

Tomatoes are soft and they don't break the skin,

Ah, but this bugger did, it was still in the tin...

or...

I went to a sh**-house I used to frequent,

And told the attendant my money was spent.

I asked him for credit, he answered me "nay",

So I s*at on the floor and said "sweep that away"...

or...

I went to a whore-house I used to frequent,

And told the old madam my money was spent.

I asked her for credit, she answered me "nay",

So I came on her face and said "wipe that away"...

And I really don't think you tender colonials are ready for the "Whale Drover"...

Goode gods Master Foxe...

I damn near spit m'drink on th' keyboard....

makes me laugh ya do...

[Red-Handed Jill]

Heh.

Tender colonials, eh? Have you heard any of the Salty Dick recordings?

[Manylodges]

"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill is a good one. I'd also suggest www.chivalry.com/cantaria, which has some good shanty lyrics and usually has an mp3 of one or more verses.

Coastie

Ok you scallywag, ye forced me hand.

Check out these web sights.

" Shanties and Sea Songs"

" ARRR!!! Sea Shanties and Drinking songs"

" Songs of the Sea"

" Pirate Music & Sea Shanties"

" Pirate Theme Page"

There are so many you won't be able to make up your mind.

Some of my personal favorits are:

Strikes the Bell

Dead Hourse Shantie

Get up Jack John sit down

Fathom the bowl

Here's to me grog

Whisky Oh Johny Oh.

Hope this helps ye find you voice when the rum get's goin.

Manylodges

[Iphi]

You all are Fabulous! How well do I remember many of those songs from my days at the Inn Yard. Fond Memories indeed.

The party (see the begining of this thread) and the songs went very well. If anyone would like a Word Doc of some of the lyrics I collected, I'd be happy to send it to you. Just drop me a line....

Iphi

And just to sweeten the pot and say thanks, how about this old favorite:

If all the young lassies

Were winds on the sea

I'd be a ship

And I'd let them blow me

Roll your leg over, roll your leg over

Roll your leg over the man in the moon...

If all the young laddies

Were bread on the table

I'd be the butter

And spread while I'm able

If all the young lassies

Were sheep in the clover

I'd be the Ram, and

Ram 'em all over

[Pirate Seika]

oh no.. it's the song that never ends... lol

one of my fav folk/shanty's would be

Barrett's Privateers...

O the year was 1778

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

A letter of marque came from the king

To the scummiest vessel I've ever seen

God damn them all

I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns, shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier,

The last of Barrett's Privateers

2. O Elcid Barrett cried the town

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

For twenty brave men all fishermen who

Would make for him the Antelope's crew

God damn them all . . . .

3. The Antelope sloop was a sickening site

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

She'd list to the port and her sails in rags

And the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags

God damn them all . . . .

4. On the King's birthday we put to sea

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

Ninety-one days to Montego Bay

Pumping like madmen all the way

God damn them all . . . .

5. On the ninety-sixth day we sailed again

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

When a great big Yankee hove in sight

With our cracked four-pounders we made to fight

God damn them all . . . .

6. The Yankee lay low down with gold

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

She was broad and fat and loose in stays

But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days

God damn them all . . . .

7. Then at length she stood two cables away

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

Our cracked four-pounders made awful din

But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in

God damn them all . . . .

8. The Antelope shook and pitched on her side

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs

And the main truck carried off both me legs

God damn them all . . . .

9. Now here I lay in my twenty-third year

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

It's been six years since we sailed away

And I just made Halifax yesterday

God damn them all . . . .

[Captain Pogue]

How about "The Good Ship Venus"

The figure head was a wh*re in bed, sucking a dead man's pen!$.

The cook's name was Freeman, and he was a dirty demon he fed the crew on men..... stew and hy... fried in se....

I can't bring myself to type it out... fun as hell singing in the car though.

I got it off of the Rogue's Gallery CD, produced by Johnny Depp and Gore Verbanski, the perfomances of the songs are hit or miss with me.

[Maggie Crowe]

The navy would never have a lass at sea

Away Santianno

so I went in search of pyracy

along the coast of Mexico

And now we sail the southern seas

Away Santianno

and we'll have those navy lads on their knees

along the coast of Mexico

So heave her up and away we'll ago

Away Santianno

to Mexico where the warm winds blow

along the coast of Mexico

In Mexico I want to be

Away Santianno

with a cask of rum on a drinkin' spree

along the coast of Mexico

Those native lads I do adore

Away Santianno

with eyes that shine and coal black hair

along the coast of Mexico

So heave her up and away we'll ago

Away Santianno

to Mexico where the warm winds blow

along the coast of Mexico

When I was a young lass in me prime

Away Santianno

I'd have those Irish lads two at a time

along the coast of Mexico

But I'll never leave the sea to settle down

Away Santianno

when I can have a lad in every town

along the coast of Mexico

So heave her up and away we'll ago

Away Santianno

to Mexico where the warm winds blow

along the coast of Mexico

Oh the times is hard and the wages low

Away Santianno

But we pirates all must roll and go

along the coast of Mexico

[Tartan Jack]

How about "The Good Ship Venus"

The figure head was a wh*re in bed, sucking a dead man's pen!$.

The cook's name was Freeman, and he was a dirty demon he fed the crew on men..... stew and hy... fried in se....

I can't bring myself to type it out... fun as hell singing in the car though.

I got it off of the Rogue's Gallery CD, produced by Johnny Depp and Gore Verbanski, the perfomances of the songs are hit or miss with me.

The main version is MUCH, MUCH worse than that on the "Rogue's Gallery" CD, which was a bad enough version on its own right.

(look it up on google)

Thanks for the links, advise, and lyrics. This is an interesting thread!

[BluePuppy]

you know what would be fun? if anyone's ever done any book-making, making our own books of sea shantys :) i think i might do that...

[Maggie Crowe]

I made a book of all of the letters my father wrote home to my grandmother during WWII. It's not difficult, and it's fun picking out the materials. I've been thinking about making a journal for part of my garb, but haven't decided on what to use for the interior paper.

[BluePuppy]

book-making is a lot of fun, i'm 'thinking of making my journals instead of buying them

[Hester]

When I was a young lass in me prime

Away Santianno

I'd have those Irish lads two at a time

along the coast of Mexico

Ah, Maggie, you're a pirate after my own heart!

Is there a recorded version of that song that I could hear somewhere?

[Maggie Crowe]

When I was a young lass in me prime

Away Santianno

I'd have those Irish lads two at a time

along the coast of Mexico

Ah, Maggie, you're a pirate after my own heart!

Aye, indeed, it was recorded by The Pyrates Royale

[morgantheblack]

I have found two previously unrecorded sea-shanties, I believe. Of interest to anyone? :-X

[Old Crow]

oh no.. it's the song that never ends... lol

one of my fav folk/shanty's would be

Barrett's Privateers...

O the year was 1778

How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now

A letter of marque came from the king

Yes, but how about THIS version...

Oh, the year was 1978,

HOW I WISH I'D NEVER TRIED IT NOW!

When a score of men were turned quite green,

By the scummiest ale you've ever seen.

CHORUS:

God damn them all!

I was told this beer was worth its weight in gold,

We'd feel no pain; shed no tears;

But it's a foolish man who shows no fear,

At a glass of Garnet's home made beer.

Oh, Garnet Rogers cried the town,

HOW I WISH I'D NEVER TRIED IT NOW!

For twenty brave men, all masochists,

Who would taste for him his home made brew.

CHORUS

This motley crew were a sickening sight,

HOW I WISH I'D NEVER TRIED IT NOW!

There was "Caveman Dave" with his eyes in bags,

He'd a hard-boiled liver and the staggers and jags.

CHORUS

We hadn't been there but an hour or two,

HOW I WISH I'D NEVER TRIED IT NOW!

When a voice said, "Gimme some home-made brew!"

And "Steeleye Stan" hove into view.

CHORUS

Now Steeleye Stan was a fighting man.

HOW I WISH I'D NEVER TRIED IT NOW!

He was eight foot tall and four foot wide,

Said, "Pass that jug or I'll tan yer hide!"

God damn them all!

I was told this beer was worth its weight in gold,

We'd feel no pain; shed no tears;

But it's a foolish man who shows no fear,

At a glass of Garnet's home made beer.

Stan took one sip and pitched on his side.

HOW I WISH I'D NEVER TRIED IT NOW!

Garnet was smashed with a gut-full of dregs,

And his breath set fire to both me legs.

CHORUS

So here I lie with me twenty-third beer.

HOW I WISH I'D NEVER TRIED IT NOW!

It's been ten years since I felt this way,

On the night before me wedding day.

God damn them all!

I was told this beer was worth its weight in gold,

We'd feel no pain; shed no tears;

But it's a foolish man who shows no fear,

At a glass of Garnet's home made beer.

by the great.... Ian Robb

Funny thing, I've got a friend named Dave, who's called Caveman too.

[Bright]

Yea can hear some I enjoy here ;-}

http://midsouthbuccaneers.ning.com/profile/EdwardBright

Come all ye young sailors that follow the sea

(To me, way hey, blow the man down)

You must pay attention now listen to me

(Give me some time to blow the man down)

I,m a salty old pirate set sail from Hong Kong

(To me, way hey, blow the man down)

Give me some whiskey, I,ll sing you my song

(Give me some time to blow the man down)

,

Twas on a Black Baller I first served my time

(To me, way hey, blow the man down)

And on that Black Baller I wasted me prime

(Give me some time to blow the man down)

Now when the big liner, she,s clear of land

(To me, way hey, blow the man down)

The bosun he roars out the word of command

(Give me some time to blow the man down)

Come quickly, lay aft to the break of the poop

(To me, way hey, blow the man down)

Or I,ll help you along with the toe of me boot

(Give me some time to blow the man down)

,

Tis larboard and starboard, on deck you will sprawl

(To me, way hey, blow the man down)

For Captain Van Wrinkle commands the Black Ball

(Give me some time to blow the man down

...give me some time to blow the man down)

Edited December 27, 2009 by Bright

[Bright]

When I was a young lass in me prime

Away Santianno

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>I'd have those Irish lads two at a time</span>

along the coast of Mexico

Ah, Maggie, you're a pirate after my own heart!

Is there a recorded version of that song that I could hear somewhere?

The Bold Marrauder

Edited December 27, 2009 by Bright