Sea Shanties: The Songs of the Sea

Sea shanties, the hearty songs sung by sailors aboard ships, have a long and rich history. These work songs helped sailors keep rhythm while performing repetitive tasks, such as hauling ropes, turning capstans, or raising sails. But their influence goes beyond just the work—they carry with them the spirit, camaraderie, and hardships of life at sea.

What Are Sea Shanties?

Sea shanties are traditional work songs sung by sailors to help keep their actions synchronized and their spirits lifted during the hard work on a ship. They are usually call-and-response songs, where one person (usually the shantyman) sings the main line, and the rest of the crew responds in unison. This simple structure made them easy to sing and follow while performing tasks.

Key Features of Sea Shanties:

• Rhythm: The rhythm of the song matched the work being done. For example, hauling on a rope or turning a capstan would be done in time with the beat.
• Lyrics: The lyrics of sea shanties often tell stories of life at sea, the hardships of sailors, or tales of adventure and romance.
• Camaraderie: The communal aspect of singing together helped build unity and morale among the crew, creating a sense of brotherhood on long voyages.

Types of Sea Shanties

There are several types of sea shanties, each associated with different tasks on the ship.

1. Hauling Shanties

These shanties were sung during tasks that required physical effort, such as pulling ropes or hauling sails.

• Example: “Blow the Man Down” – A classic hauling shanty with a lively rhythm, often sung while raising the anchor.

2. Capstan Shanties

Capstan shanties were sung while sailors turned the capstan (a device used for raising anchors or heavy cargo). These songs were usually slower and more steady.

• Example: “Drunken Sailor” – A popular shanty sung while turning the capstan. Its playful lyrics ask what to do with a drunken sailor.

3. Short-Duty Shanties

These were used for tasks that were short but required coordination, like setting the sails or working the ropes for short bursts.

• Example: “The Wellerman” – While not technically a shanty in the traditional sense, this whaling song became a hit in recent times and was embraced by the sea shanty revival.

4. Forecastle (Fo’c’sle) Songs

Unlike work songs, these were more about leisure and storytelling. Sailors would sing them during downtime, when they weren’t working.

• Example: “The Ballad of the Mary Ellen Carter” – A modern-day forecastle song about resilience and overcoming hardship.

Famous Sea Shanties

Here are a few popular sea shanties that have stood the test of time:

🎶 “Drunken Sailor” – This fun and catchy shanty is all about figuring out what to do with a drunken sailor and has many verses.
🎶 “Blow the Man Down” – A lively shanty with a rhythmic beat, often sung while hauling or working with ropes.
🎶 “The Wellerman” – A whaling song that gained widespread popularity in recent years, especially on TikTok.
🎶 “Roll the Old Chariot Along” – A shanty that celebrates perseverance and the idea of pushing forward through tough times.

Why Are Sea Shanties Making a Comeback?

In 2021, sea shanties experienced a revival, especially on TikTok, when Nathan Evans, a Scottish singer, shared a rendition of The Wellerman. His video went viral, sparking a global trend of people creating their own renditions and harmonies to traditional sea shanties. This led to a flood of creative covers, with people from all over the world embracing these old songs.

Why do people love sea shanties today?

• Catchy and Simple: Sea shanties have an infectious rhythm that makes them fun to sing along with.
• Community Spirit: The call-and-response format of shanties brings people together, which is why they’re so popular in group settings.
• Nostalgia: Sea shanties connect us to a time of adventure and exploration, invoking a sense of wanderlust and the mystique of the sea.

Final Thoughts

Sea shanties are much more than just songs—they are a window into the life of sailors, the struggles they faced, and the joy they found in camaraderie on the open seas. Today, whether you’re cruising the oceans, at a party, or just enjoying the rhythm, sea shanties continue to celebrate the unity, resilience, and spirit of adventure that comes with life on the water.