
There's nothing like singing along to a good old sea shanty. Here are ten of the greatest sea shanty songs to sing by the sea, in the pub or at any of the UK's brilliant sea shanty festivals.
Sea shanties, traditionally sung by sailors to accompany their work aboard ships, have gained renewed popularity in recent years, especially through platforms like TikTok. Here are 10 of the most popular sea shanties (both traditional and modern adaptations):
- "Wellerman" - Originating from New Zealand, this shanty tells the story of whalers awaiting supplies from a company ship called the "Wellerman." It became immensely popular during the TikTok sea shanty trend.
- "Drunken Sailor" - A lively and well-known shanty often sung to question what to do with a drunken sailor. Its catchy and repetitive chorus makes it a favorite.
- "Leave Her, Johnny" - Traditionally sung at the end of a voyage, this reflective shanty captures the sailors' frustrations and farewells to their ship.
- "Blow the Man Down" - A fast-paced shanty used for tasks requiring rhythmic coordination. Its lyrics often tell humorous or bawdy tales.
- "Roll the Old Chariot Along" - A spiritual-style shanty with a powerful, uplifting chorus that sailors sang during breaks or downtime.
- "Haul Away Joe" - A halyard shanty used for hoisting sails. Its lyrics often included nonsensical or improvised verses for fun.
- "Spanish Ladies" - A melancholic farewell song sung by British sailors about parting from the coasts of Spain.
- "South Australia" - A pumping shanty sung during heaving tasks, celebrating the journey to or from South Australia.
- "Barrett's Privateers" - A modern shanty-like ballad by Stan Rogers, which tells the fictional tale of a privateer during the American Revolutionary War.
- "Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate" - A cheerful shanty celebrating camaraderie among sailors, often sung during reunions or social gatherings.
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