The Shantymen of Mahone Bay. Traditional shanties and songs of the sea

Shanties and Songs of the Sea

Sea shanties are work songs that sailors sang on board sailing vessels. The songs helped to coordinate and synchronize the crews’ work. This was particularly important for tasks such as hoisting the sails, hauling in the anchor, working the pumps or rowing the shallop.

Each vessel typically had a shantyman, a crew member who was recognized for his musical talent, strong voice, and lyrical wit. The shantyman was a privileged crew member and often exempt from the work at hand so that he could focus on his important role. The saying goes: “A good shantyman is worth ten men on the ropes”.  

Shanties follow a “call and response” pattern, i.e., the shantyman sings a verse and the crew responds with the chorus. The lyrics often lament the hard life on board, the food, the captain, the vessel or the weather. As such, the shanties also offered an opportunity to vent grievances without risking draconian punishment. Other common themes revolved around loves left behind or pleasures awaiting on distant shores.

Shanties were sung without instruments and mostly in a work-based context. Singing for entertainment was very limited. But when the opportunity arose, it was often melodic and ranged from deeply somber ballads to uplifting songs of the sea. It was typically performed in the sailors’ quarters, the foc’sle, or on the foredeck, which is why these songs are referred to as “forebitters” or “foc’sle songs”.

For in depth information refer to: Stan Hugill, 1977. Songs of the Sea. The Tales and Tunes of Sailors and Sailing Ships. Mc Graw-Hill Book Company. New York.   

Contact: Uwe Wittkugel | 902 531 2335 |  uwittkugel@eastlink.ca