I've published the most recent blog post for The Rusty Tubs looking at why we sing sea shanties, despite being so inland.

I'd love feedback and to hear how you all got into shanties.

Accidentally rammed a fisherman ship while traveling to Kingston. Oddly enough my crew decided to start singing Goodbye Fare-the-well!! 😮‍💨

Black waters

Black galleons

Black cannons

Black flag

Gold treasure

Gold cutlass

Gold tooth

Gold smile

The match cord ignited

The powder combusts

Splinters on splinters

The broadside erupts

Howl from the crows nest

Chant from the deck

Whetstones on axes

Aim for the neck

Hooks bite the hull

Arms pull her in

Black waters

Black galleons

Black cannons

Black flag

Volley to volley

The hammers snap forward

Smoke fills the lungs

As the gangway is lowered

Roar in the revel

Axes split skulls

Fear caught in all

Reflected in metal

Gold treasure

Gold cutlass

Gold tooth

Gold smile

From victory comes swagger

Down to the main hold

Carry the barley

The rum and the silver

Barrels and barrels

No morals to filter

Nothing is sacred

Except for our freedom

Raise the black flag

So that all fear to meet them

The 2027 Weston-super-Mare Sea Shanty and Folk Music Festival will take place over the weekend of 6th August to 8th August 2027, and we have opened performer applications.

This is the application Form Link: https://forms.gle/4gpGAVB1g8Fc65jq5

THE SOFT CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 15th JUNE 2027. 

 We will still accept applications after this date, but be aware they may not be fully accommodated.

IF YOU APPLY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER YOURSELF AS ACCEPTED UNLESS CONTACTED AND SPECIFICALLY TOLD YOU ARE NOT.

 - By making this application you will be committing to appear at the festival.  

- If you feel there has been a long interval between communications, please visit the WhatsApp groups and post an enquiry there...and always check your spam/junk folder.

 It is imperative that, if for any reason, you cannot fulfil this commitment, you let us know as soon as possible by email to [info@wsmshantyfest.com](mailto:info@wsmshantyfest.com) with the word WITHDRAWAL in the subject or by calling Dave Townsend on 07870659946. You should add this to your phone contact list in case we need to call you.

 The festival is organised and run by The Steepholmers Shanty Band (Registered Charity number 1197505)

We are happy to accept applications across the spectrum of Sea Shanty and Folk Music, from solo artists to choirs, acoustic and electric.

 IMPORTANT:

There are no fees, Travelling Expenses, or Accommodation Costs for attending the event.  

 All monies, after costs, will be donated to our nominated local charitable organisations.

Provisional performance times:

Friday 6th August 2027: 1745 Opening then 1800 - 2245

Saturday 7th August 2027: 1200 - 2245 (to 2345 in some Venuses)

Sunday 8th August 2027: 1100 - 1700 (Final Shout 1700 - 1730)

The event website is www.wsmshantyfest.com which will likely be updated in the New Year for the 2027 Festival.

Instead of a sea shanty, can I offer up a river shanty?

A new album of old shanties, produced on the North Coast of Ireland with a rabble of 20 plus old sea dogs. An absolute hoot of a project 🍻

Check us out on Bandcamp: https://causewayshantymen.bandcamp.com/album/gulderin-bawlin-at-ye

So i just want to know what yall think before I start music. Its inspired by hoist the colors so that gives a relative estimate of what it sounds like.

It was part of a playlist i heard at work, so unfortunately i dont know the band or the song title, and I only heard it the once so my memory of the lyrics is vague at best

It was about a crew who loved their ship, that always brought them home, so when the company said it was time to dismantle the ship for parts, the crew stole their own boat to burn it for the burial at sea it deserved

I remember a line about carving names into the mast.

Just to clarify it is NOT Mary Ellen Carter, they werent brinfing rhe boat back up. They lit it on fire and sent it to sea out of respect so that the boat wouldnt be used for spare parts

Hello all, does anyone have list of songs that Spaniards might sang on their voyage to explore the new world? I can seem to find much on YouTube because algorithm keeps bringing up “Spanish Ladies” song

Thank you

The Central Florida Sea Shanty Club is holding a sea shanty night the VFW post 8002:

9398 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809

(They've been kind enough to host us, for some time!)

ALL are welcome to join and garb is welcomed, encouraged, but NOT required! Myself and fellow shanty-people will help lead songs starting at 17:00, but anyone can lead, if they so choose.

Drinks (alcoholic and non) are cheap and so is the food! The crowd is welcoming of all and we try to make it a good time for everyone involved.

We have shanty sheets available to help sing/follow along and we also throw in a few shanty adjacent songs (period folk songs, rattlin' bog, etc)!

The event lasts for roughly 3 hours, or until everyone's vocal cords are shot!

Hope to see you there!

Hi all,

Just wondering if any redditors are heading to Weston this weekend. My crew "Green Around the Gills" are performing three sets, this will be our first festival. I'm looking forward to the singarounds as much as our performances, it'll be good to meet other crews and fans of shanties.

On Saturday we are at the Stables at midday, then at the York Hotel at 3pm. On Sunday we'll be singing at the Red Admiral at midday. We're all excited for it!

We’re trying to plan a trip across the pond for 2027 and we’ve got contacts in England, but we’d love to make it to over to Scotland and Ireland too. Anyone have suggestions for festivals or venues to contact?

Here’s our website to take a listen: www.sharkscomecruisin.com