Favorite Nautical Tune

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 09:55

Throughout human history, from Gregorian chants to modern folk songs, music has been employed to lift spirits and unite various cultures towards common purposes. The microcosm of seafaring society is not exempt from these oral traditions, as evidenced by shanties with origins in rhythmic work chants and rousing “fo’c’sle” songs sung by off-duty crew.

Thanks to a generous grant from the U.S. government, I have been able to conduct extensive research in the history and origins of music from the Golden Age of Sail.* As part of this research a poll was conducted in an effort to determine the most popular maritime tunes. The top five results from our poll are provided above in random order.

It occurred to me that many of you may not be familiar with some of these tunes so I rummaged through youtube to find the best renditions available. Links to each are provided below for your reference and listening pleasure. Since many of these songs have been passed down in the oral tradition, their exact origins are difficult to pin down. The dates shown are approximate.

Double-Click Link-->Blow the man down (Circa 1860)
Double-Click Link-->Drunken Sailor (c. 1855)
Double-Click Link-->In The Navy (c. '79)
Double-Click Link-->Beyond the Sea (c. '49)
Double-Click Link-->Das Leibe Schiff (c. '77)

*In the United States the Golden Age of sail is generally accepted to be the era just prior to the proliferation of steam ships. (c. 1830 to 1880)

**Gaz67** · 04-29-2013, 10:30

I believe you missed a very important one.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpIlLqfd_xI

Short but a I believe a winner.....

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 10:39

Nice one. I considered these as well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B4w4lafinU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfBwsG8ubFw

...but, being my first poll posting, I figured a modicum of decorum was in order.

**Gaz67** · 04-29-2013, 10:42

decorum?? decorum...NEVER, I say never, flog that man.....

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 10:44

Originally Posted by Gaz67

decorum?? decorum...NEVER, I say never, flog that man.....

If you haven't guessed already, I have a tendency toward setting that particular bar, really, really low.

**Gaz67** · 04-29-2013, 10:48

Well I do like the idea of aiming for the lowest level, anything above that and I've excelled....

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 10:56

I've learned that life is more simple the lower I keep everyone's expectations of me.

**Coog** · 04-29-2013, 11:48

Well since somebody opened the door, here's another one:

**Coog** · 04-29-2013, 11:51

But seriously, here is one that while it was not about the sea, was very popular in several variations amongst sailors:

**Coog** · 04-29-2013, 11:59

Not a traditional song but here's one for all the pirates on our site:

**7eat51** · 04-29-2013, 12:00

Gordon Lightfoot's - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - though not AoS, is well worth a listen.

In the Navy?????????????????????????????

**7eat51** · 04-29-2013, 12:05

Crosby, Stills & Nash - Southern Cross

**7eat51** · 04-29-2013, 12:07

Looking Glass - Brandi - again, not AoS, but captures the sailor's heart

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 12:15

Originally Posted by Coog

Well since somebody opened the door, here's another one:

I didn't want to be the first.

**Coog** · 04-29-2013, 12:19

Originally Posted by Coyote

I didn't want to be the first.

Just another one of those threads that's gone out of control.

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 12:24

Originally Posted by Coog

Just another one of those threads that's gone out of control.

My work here is nearly done. But first...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppYgrdJ0pWk

lest we forget...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfSLuEj99d0

Chew on that last little brain worm for a while.

**Coog** · 04-29-2013, 12:41

When I saw this I realized why so many British sailors during the age of sail deserted to the American Navy to get away from British ships!

**DeRuyter** · 04-29-2013, 13:13

I see no one has voted- so I did! The dittys take on more meaning when you have raised a tops'l to the tune! Having heaved on a line to the tune of "Drunken Sailor" I voted for it!

Eric

**Gunner** · 04-29-2013, 15:53

Originally Posted by Coog

Well since somebody opened the door, here's another one:

Will somebody please close the door.

**Coog** · 04-29-2013, 15:55

Originally Posted by Gunner

Will somebody please close the door.

And nail it shut!

**pward** · 04-29-2013, 16:06

I don't like any of them.... how about fare well and ado (also known as spanish ladies)?

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 16:50

Originally Posted by DeRuyter

I see no one has voted- so I did! The dittys take on more meaning when you have raised a tops'l to the tune! Having heaved on a line to the tune of "Drunken Sailor" I voted for it!

Eric

Once, while in Singapore, I saw a saucy young lass perform a routine set to the third song on the list. Coincidentally, that performance involved a pole. For $50 she'll heave your line for you. Another $5 and she'll leave the sailor hat on in the process.

Next time you're in Singapore, stop by the Jade Palace Dance Hall and Massage Imporium. Ask for Madame Wu. Tell her Lord Captain Charles, the Second Beef of Wellington sent you and the first Singapore Sling will be on the house. And please give Madame Wu my warmest regards.

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 16:55

Originally Posted by pward

I don't like any of them.... how about fare well and ado (also known as spanish ladies)?

I'm afraid I don't know that tune. However, I can sing softly and far, far away.

**Coyote** · 04-29-2013, 16:57

Originally Posted by Gunner

Will somebody please close the door.

Apparently, nautical nonsense is not something you miss.

**Gunner** · 04-29-2013, 17:03

Originally Posted by Coyote

Apparently, nautical nonsense is not something you miss.

Don't miss it at all.

**Diamondback** · 04-29-2013, 21:17

Does the Intruder March from Flight of the Intruder or "Hymn to Red October" count?

**Naharaht** · 04-29-2013, 22:52

I like this version of 'In the Navy'.

**Wargamer** · 04-29-2013, 23:13

**Jack Aubrey** · 04-30-2013, 01:34

Originally Posted by Coyote

Throughout human history, from Gregorian chants to modern folk songs, music has been employed to lift spirits and unite various cultures towards common purposes. The microcosm of seafaring society is not exempt from these oral traditions, as evidenced by shanties with origins in rhythmic work chants and rousing “fo’c’sle” songs sung by off-duty crew.

Thanks to a generous grant from the U.S. government, I have been able to conduct extensive research in the history and origins of music from the Golden Age of Sail.* As part of this research a poll was conducted in an effort to determine the most popular maritime tunes. The top five results from our poll are provided above in random order.

It occurred to me that many of you may not be familiar with some of these tunes so I rummaged through youtube to find the best renditions available. Links to each are provided below for your reference and listening pleasure. Since many of these songs have been passed down in the oral tradition, their exact origins are difficult to pin down. The dates shown are approximate.

Blow the man down (Circa 1860)
Drunken Sailor (c. 1855)
In The Navy (c. '79)
Beyond the Sea (c. '49)
Das Leibe Schiff (c. '77)

*In the United States the Golden Age of sail is generally accepted to be the era just prior to the proliferation of steam ships. (c. 1830 to 1880)

Hi Charles,
you wrote Das Leibe Schiff, but I did not find a song like this. Do you mean Das Liebe Schiff ? Or do you mean the song "Weiß ist das Schiff, das wir lieben"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT3uqhFfLhg

Is that the right song?
Greetings

**Jack Aubrey** · 04-30-2013, 02:57

This one :angry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A19q7rysLs

**Coyote** · 04-30-2013, 05:34

Originally Posted by Jack Aubrey

Hi Charles,
you wrote Das Leibe Schiff, but I did not find a song like this. Do you mean Das Liebe Schiff ? Or do you mean the song "Weiß ist das Schiff, das wir lieben"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT3uqhFfLhg

Is that the right song?
Greetings

Jack, the song titles in my first post are clickable links to the songs. Just double click on the titles. Although, being from Germany you might not recognize "Das Leibe Schiff" when you hear it since it's really an American song.

**Comte de Brueys** · 04-30-2013, 07:33

In the Navy - no other choice for me.

**Coyote** · 04-30-2013, 13:56

I made the hyperlinks in the first post a little more obvious for those of you who may not have known they were there.

**Coog** · 04-30-2013, 18:37

For the fans of "Master and Commander" here's the complete song that was being sung around the Captain's table:

**Coyote** · 04-30-2013, 19:24

Get your lighters out, boys. It's power ballad time.

**Coyote** · 04-30-2013, 19:35

My ship, HMS Incorrigible, is an equal opportunity vessel. To prove the point, here's one for the Church-goers (if any exist out there).

As if the point wasn't already proven with In The Navy.

**RichardPF** · 05-01-2013, 04:23

OK, So just how did this one get missed?

**CHolgren** · 05-01-2013, 04:52

Not necessarily a Nautical tune, but always made me laugh when I saw it.

**Beowulf03809** · 05-01-2013, 06:22

I had to vote for Drunken Sailor with only the options and the fact that it was the tune for the old Sid Meir's Pirates! game. But I'm glad to see some of the others posted.

It was mentioned but no link so...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34v1hyfHXdQ

Ulrich already posted my personal choice, but the wrong version...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKnIi05XNK4

And there's also...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeI03Xn-clc

This ones' a bit 'harder' than Blondie and such but...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaiJE8ndADE

**Coyote** · 05-01-2013, 07:05

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Bravo Zulu for all who continue to capture the true spirit of this thread.

Well done, and thanks.

**Coyote** · 05-01-2013, 07:23

This ones' a bit 'harder' than Blondie and such but...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaiJE8ndADE

I love the Alestorm tune. I was glad to see someone class up this thread with a little metal. The best I could come up with was this, (not nautical) tune with supposed 17th century origins. The lyrics include booze, women and gunfire so it's not all bad.

**Beowulf03809** · 05-01-2013, 09:04

Alestorm has a lot of well themed tunes to get your inner Pirate good and worked up. I will always have a soft spot (?) for good old metal.

**Tommy Z** · 05-01-2013, 20:47

Originally Posted by Naharaht

I like this version of 'In the Navy'.

You beat me to it, David!

**Jack Aubrey** · 05-02-2013, 00:56

Originally Posted by Tommy Z

You beat me to it, David!

Yessss, that`s funny

**Jack Aubrey** · 05-02-2013, 01:00

What`s about this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRIAoqrNayw

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqs0ZAJngls

a little bit romantic, but good

**Coyote** · 05-02-2013, 06:10

For all you pirates out there looking for treasure, here's where you might find some...

**7eat51** · 05-02-2013, 08:13

Charles, remind/inform us about your grant? In the midst of our song-sharing flurry, that somehow was overlooked.

**Coyote** · 05-02-2013, 12:42

Originally Posted by 7eat51

Charles, remind/inform us about your grant? In the midst of our song-sharing flurry, that somehow was overlooked.

We're both from the Chicago area so I'll put it to you in a way you'll easily understand...For anyone willing to keep "overlooking" any previous mentions of a grant, there may be an open position for "research assistant" on the "Nautical Beverages Project" made possible through the generous support of yet another taxpayer funded government grant.