Shanty Net

Captain Tall, best man I met Lively lads look lively Give you a trip you’ll never forget Lively lads look lively   He’s the man for the Southern coast Pray to God and the Holy Ghost Lively lads look lively That’s the cry from Captain Tall Lively lads look lively That’s the cry to drive […]

As I was a’cruisin down by KGB A rusty old trampship I happenned to see The Empire Star was the old trampers name She was bound out for Kiwi and then home again   Heave away HEAVE AWAY Heave away HEAVE AWAY From the lighthouse to the shitehouse is a bloody long way.   Now, […]

(c) Words & Music Rudy Sunde 2010   I’ll tell you a story, one so old and true All about a bonny barque sailed the ocean blue Her name was Pamir me boys, build in 1905 Built for the Nitrate trade, for the Flying P Line   [Chorus] Farewell Pamir, farewell and adieu, Farewell you […]

‘Tis the first watch of the night, brothers, And the strong wind rides the deep; And the cold stars shining bright, brothers, Their mystic courses keep. Whilst our ship her path is cleaving, The flashing waters through, Here’s a health to the land we are leaving, And the land we are going to! First sadly […]

Written by Sam Leary (c) 2008 Sailing on back to the colonies On a fine shapely vessel called Mae So heave away boys and drink your dark rum We’re on our way back home to New Zealand again Heave away boys and chew your tobacco We’re on our way back home again Never more will […]

There was a ship that put to sea, And the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea The winds blew up, her bow dipped down, Oh blow, my bully boys, blow. Soon may the Wellerman come And bring us sugar and tea and rum. One day, when the tonguing is done, I’ll take […]

Written by Bob Watson (Not technically a NZ song, but made famous by Bob Large and the Maritime Crew) Oh the southern ocean is a lonely place Where the storms are many and the shelter’s scarce Down upon the southern ocean sailing Down below Cape Horn On the restless water and the troublin’ skies You […]

The worst old scow that every did weigh Sailed one day from Whangarei Waiting for the day, waiting for the day Waiting for the day we get our pay She was built in Ancient times Held together with bits of twine Moored in the dock, logs on deck She looked a terrible worn out wreck […]

Written by the legendary NZ Shantyman Rudy Sunde (c) 1994 Come all you good people I’ll tell you my story Lordy, Lordy, Lordy I’ll tell you my story About when I sailed on the old morning glory Lord,y Lordy, Lordy the Old morning glory She was a fine Whaler, a well built three master Bob […]

Come all you tonguers and land-loving lubbers Here’s a  job cutting-in, and boiling down blubbers A job for the youngster or old and ailing The agent will grab any man for shore whaling I am paid in soap and sugar and rum For cutting in whale and boiling down tongue The  agent’s fee makes my […]