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Saturday Night at Sea by George Cruikshank 1841
Sea Shanties and Maritime Music Days
Jun 12
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"🎶 And it's windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys
When the wind blows, we're all together, boys;
Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow
Jolly sou'wester, boys, steady she goes"
~ Scottish Sea Shanty
The Fiddler on the Capstan
A shanty is a rhythmic work song, sung by labourers as they work in large groups at hard, repetitive work.
Sea shanties first and foremost served a practical purpose. The rhythmic cadence of the shanty would synchronise the movements of the sailors as they worked. This was necessary when, for example, weighing anchor or pulling up sails required a strong force of unified strength.
The songs also brought a feeling of solidarity to the crew, and could be uplifting to the spirits of the sailors. Many sailors of old had not joined voluntarily but had been press-ganged into service, and music providing a bit of solace and distraction as dissent and mutiny had to be avoided at all costs.
And for more fascinating facts about sea shanties, click the musician on the capstan!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
