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| According to Hugill, this shanty probably originated as a Scottish fisherman's song. It was also popular with Gloucester fishermen in the American Northeast. Hugill also collected a version in Devonshire, and it was known in Canada.
Americans evidently sang the song to a Scottish tune, and Whall (a Scotsman), in Sea Songs and Shanties gives it a different tune from the usual Scottish air. In addition Whall adds that it was also sung to the tune of Blow the Man Down. It was also sung to other tunes. This is a Canadian version, given by Barry Taylor. This was a capstan shanty, and sailors would take turns with verses, giving a new fish each time for as long as was necessary. |
Come all you young sailormen, listen to me I'll sing you a song of the fish in the sea, 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. Up jumps the eel with his slippery tail, Climbs up aloft and reefs the topsail, 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. Then up jumps the shark with his nine rows of teeth Saying, 'You eat the dough boys, and I'll eat the beef!' 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. Up jumps the lobster with his heavy claws, Bites the main boom right off by the jaws! 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. Up jumps the halibut, lies flat on the deck He says, 'Mister Captain, don't step on my neck!' 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. Up jumps the herring, the king of the sea, Saying, 'All other fishes, now you follow me!' 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. Up jumps the codfish with his chuckle-head, He runs out up forward and throws out the lead! 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. Up jumps the whale... the largest of all, 'If you want any wind, well, I'll blow ye a squall!' 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. 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. |
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| From
Sea Songs and Shanties and Shanties from the Seven Seas See Bibliography for full information. |
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