The Music of the Waters
The music of the waters: A collection of the sailors' chanties, or working songs of the sea, of all maritime nations. Boatmen's, fishermen's, and rowing songs, and water legends. By Laura Alexandrine Smith.
It is the mid-1800s and you are a young man, strong and seeking fortune as a sailor. You stand on the deck of your ship in line with another young man named Jack Tars, each of you gripping the rough halyard line. A booming baritone sings out: “Whiskey is the life of man!” As everyone begins to pull, a chorus of voices responds: “Oh whiskey, oh Johnny!” You continue to sing, hauling in time to the rhythm of the song. Life on the sea is often difficult and dangerous, but never quiet.
Originally work songs created to help synchronize movement during repetitive tasks, sea shanties were simple call-and-response tunes with improvised lyrics. As steamships replaced man-powered sailing vessels, the shanty began to disappear, much to the chagrin of folklorists, including author Laura Alexandrine Smith. Smith collected shanties (or chanties) from around sea-faring countries all around the world, including America, Russia, and Japan. Also included are songs from Ancient Greece, as well as a chapter on sailor’s superstitions and legends.
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