A Shanty For Singing

On a ship under sail, in a breeze or a gale

There was hard work for sailors to do

So they shouted and bawled as they heaved and they hauled

Sometimes only six hands in the crew

For the sailors had songs, just to help work along

At capstan and windlass and line

Whether hoisting the main-yard or hauling a halyard

The shanty-man kept them in time

(but) This is a shanty for singing

Add your voice, get the rafters a-ringing

You all know what to do, harmonise with your crew

This is a shanty for singing.

There are hymns in the kirk, there are shanties for work

There are songs for each rhyme and each reason

There are love songs entrancing and pop songs for dancing

And carols when they are in season

With the sun on your neck, or green water on deck

There was always a job to be done

But here in the pub, with fine ale and good grub

The singing is part of the fun

so  This is a shanty for singing

Add your voice, get the rafters a-ringing

You all know what to do, harmonise with your crew

This is a shanty for singing

Sing a shanty for pumps when you're down in the dumps

'Short-drag' when you've not got much time

A 'stamp-and-go' serves if you're just a bit nervous

A 'forebitter' doesn't need to rhyme (or scan.)

When the room starts to sway, or you're drifting away

You surely have too much drink taken

If the girl of your fancy says her name is Nancy

She'll probably leave you forsaken

now  This is a shanty for singing

Add your voice, get the rafters a-ringing

You all know what to do, harmonise with your crew

This is a shanty for singing

There's no man and no maid who should 'ere be afraid

Of singing at toil or at leisure

For at work or at play, every sailor will say

That singing is always a pleasure

At the bar of a capstan or bar of a pub

Raise your voice let the melody fly

Every girl every boy, don't be shy, don't be coy

Whenever the chorus comes by

for  This is a shanty for singing

Add your voice, get the rafters a-ringing

You all know what to do, harmonise with your crew

This is a shanty for singing