10-03-2010, 06:39 PM
A Collection of Shanties and Other Sea-Songs
Transcribed by Krais Rogan, Master Sailor
Transcribed by Krais Rogan, Master Sailor
Notes on the Collection: The shanties and other songs contained in this journal were compiled over a career of 20 years before the mast. Many were first learned on the pirate vessel Proud Bismarck, with others from ships of various sizes operating in southern waters. Those labeled as traditional have believed to have originated with the fisherfolk and other northern clans of the Sea Wolf Roegadyn, of which I count myself a proud member. However, since these clans are far removed from "proper" civilization, and no records of same were maintained to any great length, any such label is tenuous at best. Many also refer to the city-state of Limsa Lominsa, which is not surprising due to it being a major maritime power and supplying both crews and ships to many of the cargo and ferry lines in southern waters.
Notes on the type of shanty and conjectured background will be added where appropriate.
Weigh Hey Ya - Halyard shanty
A halyard or long-haul shanty is used when a given hauling job (hoisting a topsail, for example) is expected to last a long time. Usually, there are multiple pulls with each response, evenly spaced; Weigh and Ya in this case.
The ship mentioned in this song could be one of any number of cargo vessels lost to violent storms in the northern seas. I first heard it as a youth aboard the pirate vessel Proud Bismarck, and have since heard several variations of the main shanty on passenger vessels out of ports as far south as Limsa Lominsa. The version recorded here is the one I remember from my youth.
Show Content
Spoiler
Gather round, my lads, and hear my plea
Weigh Hey Ya!
I'll tell you a tale of the angry sea
Weigh Hey Ya!
'Twas a ship of the line, sailed proud and true
Weigh Hey Ya!
With a sharp-eyed cap'n and a stalwart crew
Weigh Hey Ya!
Their course was set to southern shores
Weigh Hey Ya!
With iron and bronze ore in their stores
Weigh Hey Ya!
While on their way, they saw no sign
Weigh Hey Ya!
Of the wild storm that trailed behind
Weigh Hey Ya!
The clouds rolled in and the thunder roared
Weigh Hey Ya!
And the cap'n called up ev'ry man aboard
Weigh Hey Ya!
The wind threw the fore-mast to the sky
Weigh Hey Ya!
And the mizzen followed soon behind
Weigh Hey Ya!
'Twas a ship of the line, sailed proud and true
Weigh Hey Ya!
Of the fate of her sailors, no one knew
Weigh Hey Ya!
Weigh Hey Ya!
I'll tell you a tale of the angry sea
Weigh Hey Ya!
'Twas a ship of the line, sailed proud and true
Weigh Hey Ya!
With a sharp-eyed cap'n and a stalwart crew
Weigh Hey Ya!
Their course was set to southern shores
Weigh Hey Ya!
With iron and bronze ore in their stores
Weigh Hey Ya!
While on their way, they saw no sign
Weigh Hey Ya!
Of the wild storm that trailed behind
Weigh Hey Ya!
The clouds rolled in and the thunder roared
Weigh Hey Ya!
And the cap'n called up ev'ry man aboard
Weigh Hey Ya!
The wind threw the fore-mast to the sky
Weigh Hey Ya!
And the mizzen followed soon behind
Weigh Hey Ya!
'Twas a ship of the line, sailed proud and true
Weigh Hey Ya!
Of the fate of her sailors, no one knew
Weigh Hey Ya!
Clear Away the Track - Capstan Shanty
A capstan shanty is used when weighing anchor; this is done by winding the anchor rope around a giant winch, usually turned by sailors walking around it. This results in a smoother call and response, and usually full choruses in addition to several verses.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to sail aboard the Vagabond mentioned in this song, which was understandably a favorite amongst its crew (it's where I learned it). Curiously, none aboard could say who "Liza Lee" was, or if she ever existed.
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Spoiler
Oh, the smartest packet that you can find
A hey, a ho, are you most done
Is the old Vagabond of the Tonberry Line
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus:
(To me) Hey rig-a-jig in a chocobo cart
A hey, a ho, are you most done
Liza Lee all on my knee
So clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Oh, the old Vagabond of the Tonberry Line
A hey, a ho, are you most done
She's never a day behind her time
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
When we've stowed our freight at the Ferry Pier
A hey, a ho, are you most done
It's home to Limsa then we'll steer
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
And once we're back in Limsa-Town
A hey, a ho, are you most done
I'll stand ye whiskeys all around
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
Well in Limsa-Town them girls hang 'round
A hey, a ho, are you most done
And it's there my Liza will be found
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
When I come home from across the sea
A hey, a ho, are you most done
Oh, Liza will you marry me?
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
I'll stay with you upon the shore
A hey, a ho, are you most done
And it's back to the sea no more will go
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
A hey, a ho, are you most done
Is the old Vagabond of the Tonberry Line
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus:
(To me) Hey rig-a-jig in a chocobo cart
A hey, a ho, are you most done
Liza Lee all on my knee
So clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Oh, the old Vagabond of the Tonberry Line
A hey, a ho, are you most done
She's never a day behind her time
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
When we've stowed our freight at the Ferry Pier
A hey, a ho, are you most done
It's home to Limsa then we'll steer
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
And once we're back in Limsa-Town
A hey, a ho, are you most done
I'll stand ye whiskeys all around
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
Well in Limsa-Town them girls hang 'round
A hey, a ho, are you most done
And it's there my Liza will be found
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
When I come home from across the sea
A hey, a ho, are you most done
Oh, Liza will you marry me?
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus
I'll stay with you upon the shore
A hey, a ho, are you most done
And it's back to the sea no more will go
Ho! Clear away the track and let the bulgine run
Chorus