Play/Download Music File Lesley Nelson |
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This song was a popular halyard shanty, particularly popular among whalers.
In several versions the Captain's daughter teaches Ranzo navigation (and other things), and they eventually marry. There are other endings as well; the crew throws Ranzo overboard because he is so dirty, he steals the captain's turkey and is lashed, and in other endings Ranzo has several adventures under the sea after he is thrown overboard. There are several theories as to the identity of Reuben Ranzo.
Because many shantymen sang 'Renzo,' Hugill believes the Lorenzo origin is most probable.*
*The stones used to clean the ship's decks were called holy stones. |
Hurrah! for Reuben Ranzo, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Hurrah! for Reuben Ranzo Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Reuben was no sailor, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Reuben was a tailor; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Ranzo joined The Beauty, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo And did not know his duty: Ranzo, boys, Ranzo His skipper was a dandy, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo And was too fond of brandy; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo He called Ranzo a lubber, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo And made him eat whale blubber; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo The Beauty was a whaler, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Ranzo was no sailor; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo They set him holy stoning,* Ranzo, boys, Ranzo And cared not for his groaning; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo They gave him lashes twenty, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Nineteen more than plenty - Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Reuben Ranzo fainted, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo His back with oil was painted; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo They gave him cake and whisky, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Which made him rather frisky; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo They made him the best sailor, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Sailing on that whaler; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo They put him Navigating, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo And gave him extra rating; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Ranzo now is skipper, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Of a China Clipper; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Ranzo was a tailor, Ranzo, boys, Ranzo Now he is a sailor; Ranzo, boys, Ranzo |
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From
Fifty Sailor's Songs or Chanties and *Shanties from the Seven Seas See Bibliography for full information. |