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Song Information
Song Information
Composer: Traditional
Lyric Author: Traditional
Published: 19th Century
Country of origin: Unknown
General Interest
It has not been possible to establish the origins of this popular shanty - there are references from New England in the USA, and England, from the early 19th century, although it's possible it could be significantly older.
The first published description of the shanty is found in an account of an 1839 whaling voyage out of New London, Connecticut to the Pacific Ocean. It was used as an example of a song that was, "performed with very good effect when there is a long line of men hauling together".
The song fell out of popularity as a working song, when the advent of steamships meant the need for long rows of men to haul ropes became infrequent. A revival in popularity occurred in the 20th century, when the song was added to the repertoire of the Eton Glee Club (Eton, a town opposite Windsor on the River Thames in England, is home to Eton School, one of the most prestigious private schools in the country)
Here's a link to the Lyric:
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