Cornish Sea Shanties

Shanties are part of global maritime culture derived from the working songs of the days of sail. It is the nature of shanties that they are readily tailored to individual places and circumstances and this was the case in Cornwall where a number of shanties were identified by Cornish folk song collectors Jim Thomas and  Ralph Dunstan in the 1920s and 30s. Shanties continue to be part of Cornwall’s singing tradition and are popular at Cornish “shouts”.

Morgannow Project

Shanties lend themselves well to being sung in Cornish and are a wonderful way to enjoy the sound and feel of language whether or not you have any previous knowledge. In 2019 Lowender Peran set up an outreach project “Morgannow” to share these songs with a wider audience both during the festival and  at events at other times during the year. The project was supported by videos of the songs performed by Matt Blewett, Tir ha Tavas (Dee and Dave Brotherton) and the Aggie Boys Choir joined by live audiences at Lowender Peran and the Bodmin Riding and Heritage Festival. :

Goos Nelson / Nelson’s Blood

Goos Nelson / Nelsons Blood pdf file

 

Klipper Aberfala / Falmouth Clipper 

Klipper Aberfala / Falmouth Clipper pdf file

 

 Hal Dhe Ves Joe / Haul Away Joe

Hal dhe ves Jow / Haul Away Joe pdf file

 

Morgan Farwel / Farewell Shanty

Morgan Farwel / Farewell Shanty pdf file

Other Cornish Sea Shanties

The Banks of the Newfoundland, noted by J Thomas from John Farr of Gwithien 1926.

The Merrymaid noted by J.C.Trevarthen and R. Dunstan, 1929