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2023-09-14Old Neptune, original song by Mattie Rynkiewicz'Old Neptune' was inspired by the Titan submersible implosion that killed five people on 18th June 2023. The lyrics and music were written by American composer Mattie Rynkiewicz, who released the recording by unidentified performers on 22nd June 2023. The song is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence.(4.2 MiB, MP3, 2:49 minutes) Click here for the lyrics of the song.1 file(s) 21 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-08-27Row, Row, Row Your Boat by The Four King SistersThe Four King Sisters, an American big band-era vocal group, perform a wonderful version of the classic children's song in this 1940 recording. They are backed by an orchestra led by Alvino Rey, jazz guitarist and bandleader. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 2:50 minutes)
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2023-08-27How Deep is the Ocean? by Miyoshi Umeki'How Deep Is the Ocean?' is a popular song written in 1932 by American composer and lyricist Irving Berlin. This 1956 recording features the vocals of Miyoshi Umeki, a Japanese-American singer and actress who won an Oscar for her supporting role in the 1957 film 'Sayonara'. It is courtesy of the Internet Archive, with some remastering by Marine Café Blog. (4 MiB, MP3, 2:22 minutes)1 file(s) 8 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-07-28El Mar by Los SabandeñosThis love song is in Spanish but the tune should be familiar to many around the world. Recorded in 1996, it features Los Sabandeños, a Spanish folk band from the Canary Islands founded in 1966 and still active. Marine Café Blog is sharing it under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence. (3.9 MiB, MP3, 3:14 minutes)1 file(s) 27 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea Shanties, Spanish Songs (sea-related)Download |
2023-07-25Loch Lomond (Scottish folk song)'Loch Lomond' is a traditional Scottish folk song about lost love set against the backdrop of the historic freshwater lake by that name. This 2002 recording features the United States Air Force Reserve Band with an unidentified female vocalist. Some remastering was done by Marine Café Blog, (5.2 MiB, MP3, 4:41 minutes)1 file(s) 29 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-07-24What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor by Svend Saaby KoretSvend Saaby Koret, a Danish 50's to 60's choir, perform one of the best choral renditions of the popular shanty. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of their undated recording published on the Internet Archive. (4.3 MiB, MP3, 2:51 minutes)
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2023-07-19La Mer by Jacqueline Francois (remastered)'La Mer' is a classic French song that celebrates the sea in all its beautiful aspects. This version is by French singer Jacqueline François (1922 – 2009). It is a Marine Café Blog remaster of her 1948 single. (4 MiB, MP3, 3:14 minutes)
An English translation of the song can be found here.
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2023-07-11All For Me Grog by Larry’s Privateers'All For Me Grog' originated among sailors and has become a popular drinking song in pubs and bars. This version was performed live in May 2023 by Larry's Privateers at the Viking Room of Lawrence University, Wisconsin. The recording is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence. (4 MiB, MP3, 3:05 minutes)
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2023-07-06Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) by Idrissa DiopThis version of the traditional Jamaican dock workers' song is by Idrissa Diop, a Senegalese percussionist and singer. Diop performed it at the 2004 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The audio was extracted and remastered by Marine Café Blog from a video recording of the event published on the Internet Archive.(4.8 MiB, MP3, 4:07 minutes)1 file(s) 29 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-07-03What Did the Deep Sea Say? by Woody Guthrie'What Did the Deep Sea Say?' features the vocals of American folk singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie (1912—1967). The song is sung from the point of view of a woman who asks a captain about her beloved sailor and is told matter-of-factly that "he sleeps on the bottom of the sea." This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of a 1962 recording from the Internet Archive. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 2:34 minutes)
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2023-06-30The Indifferent Mariner (remastered song recording)This is a song version of 'The Indifferent Mariner', a poem by Arthur Macy published in 1905. It was recorded in 1908 by Frank C. Stanley, a popular American singer active in the 1890s and the 1900s. The recording was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.1 MiB, MP3, 2:57 minutes) CLICK HERE for the complete text of Macy's poem with Barista Uno's commentary..1 file(s) 106 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-07-11Sea Fever by Roy Henderson (song in MP3)British baritone singer Roy Henderson (1899–2000) does a powerful rendition of the song version of John Masefield's famous poem, Sea-Fever. The recording from 1942 is from the Internet Archive. It was remastered and enhanced with reverb effect by Marine Café Blog. (2.9 MiB, MP3, 2:03 minutes)
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2023-06-14Sailor’s Hornpipe (ringtone for Android phones)This is a ringtone of the traditional hornpipe melody 'Sailor's Hornpipe' (also known as 'College Hornpipe'). It is a cut from the longer ogg audio created by David Kidd and remastered by Marine Café Blog after converting it to MP3 format. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0. (537.5 KiB, MP3, 21 seconds)1 file(s) 142 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-06-11Wellerman (iPhone ringtone)This ringtone of the popular Wellerman song was created by a Swede by the name of Pago. The original audio was remastered and converted to iPhone format by Marine Café Blog. It is redistributed under Pago's Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) licence. (381 KiB, m4a, 22 seconds)1 file(s) 48 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-06-08Miami Beach RumbaAs the name suggests, 'Miami Beach Rumba' is in the style of rumba (also spelled rhumba) — party dance music of Afro-Cuban origin. This recording from 1947 features Carmen Cavallaro, an American pianist, and his orchestra. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog from an audio published on the Internet Archive. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 3:12 minutes)
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2023-06-05Steamboat Rag (iPhone ringtone)This ringtone for iPhones is a cut from the 1950 recording of 'Steamboat Rag' performed by American organist Ethel Smith (1902–1996) with guitar and rhythm accompaniment. (375 KiB, m4a, 23 seconds)
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2023-06-03The Press Gang (traditional English folk song)A young man recruited by a press gang to serve on a man-of-war soon finds out the harsh punishments meted out to erring sailors. This recording of 'The Press Gang' features the vocals of contemporary English singer-musician Hazel Askew. It is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. (2.6 MiB, MP3, 1:52 minutes) Click here for the origin and lyrics of the song.1 file(s) 31 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-05-19Steamboat Sal by Van and SchenckThis 1923 Columbia recording features the vocals of Gus Van and Joe Schenck, an American comic duo popular in the 1910s and 1920s. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.6 MiB, MP3, 2:48)
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2023-05-15Steamboat Sal by the Garber-Davis Orchestra'Steamboat Sal' features the Garber-Davis Orchestra, which was formed by American jazz bandleader Jan Garber with pianist Milton Davis. The 1923 Victor recording was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.2 MiB, MP3, 2:44 minutes)1 file(s) 35 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-05-12Danube Waves — Waltz'Danube Waves' was composed in 1880 by Iosif Ivanovici, a Romanian military band leader and composer. This 1928 recording features the Brunswick Concert Orchestra under American bandleader Louis Katzman. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog and converted to stereo from the original mono. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 3:44 minutes)
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2023-05-10LAZY ‘SIPPI STEAMER (remastered)Jazz legend Louis Armstrong and his orchestra perform 'Lazy 'Sippi Steamer' in this 1940 recording. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster. (4.8 MiB, MP3, 3:16 minutes)1 file(s) 38 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-05-06Siren Waltzes'Siren Waltzes' is from the 1911 operetta Die Sirene composed by Leo Fall (1873–1925), a noted Austrian opera composer. It was recorded in 1911 by the Victor Concert Orchestra under the Victor label. This recording was provided by the US Library of Congress and remastered by Marine Café Blog (5 MiB, MP3, 3:47 minutes) See also The Blue Danube by the Vienna Philharmonic.1 file(s) 36 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-05-04Szaferka (Seafarer) – polka dance music'Szaferka (Seafarer)' was recorded in 1926 under the Victor label by the Polish duet of Jan Wanat (accordion) and Casimir Littman (violin). The audio file from the Internet Archive was cleaned and remastered by Marine Café Blog. (5.4 MiB, MP3, 2:39 minutes)1 file(s) 36 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-05-03Boat Song by Paul DufaultRecorded in 1916 under the Columbia label, 'Boat Song' features the vocals of Canadian tenor Paul Dufault (1872-1930). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster. (4.5 MiB, MP3, 2:33 minutes)
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2023-04-29Steamboat ringtone for iPhonesThe sounds of whistles and bells in this ringtone bring back the happy old days of steamers. The ringtone was created by Marine Café Blog especially for iPhone users from a segment of the 1911 song 'Steamboat Bill'. (389 KiB, m4a, 12 seconds)
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2023-04-27Dusky Stevedore by Thelma Terry and her Playboys'Dusky Stevedore' was recorded by Thelma Terry and her Playboys in 1928. Ms. Terry (1901–1966) was a gifted American bassist and jazz band leader in the 1920s and 1930s. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster. (3.3 MiB, MP3, 2:59 minutes) See also Louis Armstrong's version of 'Dusky Stevedore'.1 file(s) 32 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-04-25Moorlough Shore by Aislinn'Moorlough Shore' is a traditional Irish love song about a young man who is rejected by a girl because she already loves a sailor and will wait for him for seven years. This version is by Aislinn, a Celtic band in the Loire Valley, central France. Click here for the song lyrics. This 2009 recording was provided by Jamendo Music under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) licence. (2.8 MiB, MP3, 3:28 minutes)1 file(s) 46 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-04-23Shipwrecked Blues (blues song)'Shipwrecked Blues' features the vocals of American classic blues singer Clara Smith (1894–1935) with jazz legend Louis Armstrong playing the cornet and Fletcher Henderson, piano. Click here for the song lyrics. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 1925 recording. (3.8 MiB, MP3, 3:23 minutes)
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2023-04-17To Go to Sea Once More by Mick Broderick'To Go to Sea Once More' is a shanty about a drunk sailor who spends a night with a whore and loses his new clothes and all his money to the latter. Though he hates going back to sea, he is forced by the circumstances to join a whaling ship. This live performance is by Mick Broderick, a Scottish folk singer and shipyard worker. The recording was published by Raretunes.org under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 UK: Scotland licence and was remastered by Marine Café Blog (3.9 MiB, MP3, 3:26 minutes).
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2023-04-09Steamboat Rag (jazz music, remastered)'Steamboat Rag' was composed by American composer and pianist Ernie Burnett (1884–1959). This British recording from 1944 features Phil Green and his Basin Street Band. The audio from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.8 MiB, MP3, 2:46 minutes)1 file(s) 69 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-04-04Sloop John B by Roger Mcguinn with the Rock Bottom RemaindersThis traditional folk song has its origins in Nassau, Bahamas. It was performed at a live concert in 2004 by American folk singer Roger McGuinn and the Rock Bottom Remainders, an American rock charity supergroup. McGuinn is sharing the recording under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States licence |
2023-03-31Eddystone Light by Roger McGuinn'Eddystone Light' features the vocals of American folk singer Roger McGuinn. The same folk song (see the lyrics here) has been recorded by such famous artists as Peter, Paul and Mary and Burl Ives. McGuinn has made his recording available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States.licence |
2023-03-30Steamboat Bill by Irving Kaufman (remastered)Irving Kaufman (1890 – 1976), American singer and vaudeville performer, recorded this version of 'Steamboat Bill' in 1919. It is a Marine Café Blog remaster. Click here to learn more about the song. (4.6 MiB, MP3, 2:44 minutes)
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2023-03-28Amazing Grace by Roger McGuinn'Amazing Grace' was written by John Newton, an English slave trader who survived a storm at sea and later became an Anglican minister. Britannica explains how Newton came to write the popular Christian hymn: "On March 10, 1748, Newton was steering his ship through a fierce thunderstorm when he prayed to God. When he made it through the storm, he attributed his safety to the grace of God. It was this event that started his conversion...". This recording features the music of American folk singer Roger McGuinn and is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States licence. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 2:30 minutes)1 file(s) 80 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-03-24Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her / Goodbye, Fare You WellThese two shanties, performed a cappella by William Smith, should resonate with many seafarers as well as shanty aficionados. They are from the 1956 LP album 'Folk Music From Nova Scotia Recorded By Helen Creighton' published on the Internet Archive. The audio was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (2.6 MiB, MP3, 1:52 minutes)1 file(s) 41 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-03-21Hangin Johnny by Mick BroderickThis live performance of the popular shanty features the vocals of Mick Broderick, a Scottish singer who used to work as a boilermaker and plater in the famous Clydeside shipyards. Broderick, who died aged 68 in 2009, was described by The Herald newpaper obituary as "a folk song pioneer". The recording was provided by Raretunes.org under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 UK: Scotland licence. Some remastering was done by Marine Café Blog. (2.2 MiB, MP3, 1:24 minutes)1 file(s) 53 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-04-29Steamboat Ringtone (for Android phones)This ringtone is the intro segment of 'Steamboat Bill', a song recorded in 1911 by American baritone Arthur Collins and remastered by Marine Café Blog. (354 KiB, MP3, 12 seconds).
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2023-03-14the piano of the old seaman (contemporary music in MP3)This musical piece conjures the image of an old salt reminiscing over his days at sea. It was composed and recorded by Russian musician Evgeny Grinko. The recording was shared by Grinko via the Free Music Archive under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 International licence. (4.1 MiB, MP3, 2:15 minutes)1 file(s) 152 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-03-11Ebb Tide (romantic music)Frank Chacksfield and His Orchestra perform the popular 1953 song 'Ebb Tide'. The recording from the same year was provided by the Internet Archive and remastered by Marine Café Blog. (4.1 MiB, MP3, 2:52 minutes)
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2023-03-11Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)This popular minstrel song, which happens to be the State song of Florida, was recorded in 1930 by Paul Robeson, the celebrated American singer, actor and black activist. The recording was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.8 MiB, MP3, 3:18 minutes)
See also Paul Robeson's iconic 'Ol Man River'.
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2023-03-10New Mississippi River Blues (country song)This song features the York Brothers (George and Leslie York), an American country duo popular from the '30s through the '50s. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog from their 1947 recording. (4 MiB, MP3, 2:59 minutes)
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2023-03-04Blue Danube Waltz by Arthur Pryor’s BandAmerican band leader Arthur Pryor (1869–1942) and his Band perform Johann Strauss, Jr.'s great waltz in this vintage recording. The undated audio is from Florida Atlantic University's Recorded Sound Archives (RSA) with further remastering by Marine Café Blog. (3 MiB, MP3, 2:45 minutes)
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2023-03-02Haul on the Bowline (short-drag shanty)'Haul on the Bowline' is a rousing shanty featuring the combined singing talents of the Viking Chorale of Lawrence University and Larry's Privateers. This is a cut from a longer recording of their live performance published in the Internet Archive. The segment was remastered by Marine Café Blog and is published here for educational purposes. (3.6 MiB, MP3, 2:21 minutes)1 file(s) 58 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-02-27Song of the Volga Boatmen by Emilio de GogorzaThis version of the famous Russian folk song was recorded in 1921 under the Victrola label. It features the vocals of Emilio de Gogorza (1872–1949), an American baritone of Spanish parentage. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised recording. (3.3 MiB, MP3, 2:55 minutes)1 file(s) 41 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-03-05STEAMBOAT (Blow Your Whistle Again)John Gordy (1904-1961), an American dixieland jazz leader, recorded this song in 1952 together with the Hots Jackson & The Old-Timers band. The audio file from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.4 MiB, MP3, 2:28 minutes)
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2023-02-15Swan Lake Op. 20 1.Scene 3.Dance of the Little SwansConsidered the greatest romantic ballet, Swan Lake was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky between 1875 and 1876. This segment of the ballet suite was recorded in 1933 under the His Master's Voice label and features the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the original recording. (4.3 MiB, MP3, 3:47 minutes)
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2023-02-13Steamboat by The DriftersFans of rhythm & blues music will love this song. It was recorded in 1955 by the American vocal group, The Drifters. The audio file is courtesy of the Internet Archive, with some remastering performed by Marine Café Blog. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 2:25 minutes)
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2023-01-22Drunken Sailor by the Rijsel Irish Boy’ZThis hard-edged version of the popular shanty is by the Rijsel Irish Boy'Z, a punk band from Rijsel, France. The recording is courtesy of Jamendo Music and is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported licence. (3.7 MiB, MP3, 3:46 minutes)1 file(s) 83 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-01-17Bells of the Sea by Wilfred GlennA sailor at sea sings of his undying love for a woman in 'Bells of the Sea'. Recorded in 1923 under the Victor label, the song features the vocals of American bass singer Wilfred Glenn (1881–1970). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the audio from the Library of Congress. (3.4 MiB, MP3, 3:14 minutes)1 file(s) 49 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-12-29The Sea Captain'The Sea Captain' was performed by the Exceptional Edward, an indie-rock band from Columbus, Ohio. It is included in their 2008 album 'Lost at Sea'. This recording was provided by Jamendo Music under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported licence. (4.2 MiB, MP3, 3:49 minutes)
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2022-12-24Hawaiian Boat SongThis is a beautiful song with a lilting melody. The recording is included in the album 'Near and Far' released in 1962 by the University of Illinois Music Library. It was digitised by the Internet Archive and remastered by Marine Café Blog. (2.6 MiB, MP3, 1:10 minutes)1 file(s) 60 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-12-23Medley of Sea Songs (chorus and orchestra)Featured in this medley are seven sea songs: Sailing, Larboard watch, Rocked in the cradle of the deep, Life on the ocean wave, Asleep in the deep, Nancy Lee, and Anchored. The recording is from 1913 and is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the audio file from the US Library of Congress. (4.8 MiB, Mp3, 3:58 minutes)(4.8 MiB, Mp3, 3:58 minutes)
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2022-12-19The Seagull by Vitaliy Baldych (New Age music)'The Seagull' feaaures the New Age music of Russian composer-musician Vitaliy Baldych. The 2012 recording was released by United Studio Corporation (USC), Russian Federation, under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported licence. (11.3 MiB, MP3, 4:48 minutes) Click on the Download button to preview and download the file.1 file(s) 6 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-12-12I Saw Three Ships by various English singersThis version of the English Christmas carol was recorded in 1947. It features the vocals of British singers Margaret Field-Hyde (soprano), Marjorie Thomas (contralto), Heddle Nash (tenor), and Dennis Noble (baritone) with Harbert Dawson (classical organist). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the audio file from the Internet Archive. (3.2 MiB, MP3, 2:45 minutes)
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2022-12-08Salt Water Blues by Buster Ezell'Salt Water Blues' was recorded in 1941 by the US Library of Congress. Performing is Buster "Buzz" Ezell, a blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player. The song is a good example of blues, the secular folk music which originated in the South in the early 20th century among African Americans. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised recording. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 1:59 minutes)
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2022-12-04Remember Pearl Harbor (remastered)'Remember Pearl Harbor' is a march song recorded on 17 December 1941—just 10 days after the Japanese attack. It was composed by American bandleader Sammy Kaye (1910–1987) with lyrics by Don Reid. The recording features Kaye's Swing and Sway Band and The Glee Club, remastered by Marine Café Blog for the best playback quality. (4.5 MiB, MP3, 2:28 minutes)
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2022-11-28Viking Song (remastered)'Viking Song' features the vocals of American baritone Emilio de Gogorza (1872–1949). The song was composed by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a British composer and conductor. CLICK HERE for the lyrics. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of Gogorza's 1918 Victrola recording. (3.8 MiB, MP3, 2:32 minutes)
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2022-11-20Skye Boat Song (traditional Scottish song)The song is about Scotland's Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) and his flight to the Isle of Skye following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. (Click here for more about the song and the lyrics.). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1952 recording featuring the vocals of Nicky Kidd with orchestra. (4.1 MiB, MP3, 3:29 minutes)
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2022-11-11Anchors Aweigh by the Mormon Tabernacle ChoirThis powerful, awe-inspiring version of 'Anchors Aweigh' features the Mormon Tabernacle Choir of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The recording is from the group's 2002 album 'Majesty of America'. It was provided by the Internet Archive and remastered by Marine Café Blog for best playback quality. (3.8 MiB, MP3, 2:16 minutes)1 file(s) 82 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-11-08Sewol Ferry Love by John Lopker'American singer-songwriter John Lopker wrote and recorded this song in remembrance of South Korea's 2014 Sewol ferry disaster that killed 304 persons, mostly high school students. Mr. Lopker has made the song available via the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) licence. (3.9 MiB, MP3, 2:35 minutes)1 file(s) 122 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-11-06Don’t Give Up the Ship (remastered)'Don't Give Up the Ship' is a naval song, but it has a universal message: Stand together and keep trying till you succeed. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1935 recording by American singer-actor Dick Powell with Victor Young and his Orchestra. (2 MiB, MP3, 2:25 minutes)
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2022-12-17An der schönen, blauen Donau (On the beautiful, blue Danube)This is an excellent version of the immortal Blue Danube waltz composed by Johann Strauss, Jr. The circa-1972 recording features the United States Marine Band under the baton of Albert F. Schoepper (1913–1997). (12.1 MiB, MP3, (9:09 minutes) Click on the Download button to preview and download the audio file.1 file(s) 41 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-10-29Sailing Down the Chesapeake Bay (for iPhones)Recorded in 1913, this historic song about Chesapeake Bay features the Premier Quartet (aka American Quartet). Marine Café Blog remastered and converted to iPhone audio format the recording provided by the University of California, Santa Barbara Library. (3.1 MiB, m4a, 3:20 minutes)
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2022-10-19The Mississippi Dippy Dip (MP3 version)Ragtime music and Mississippi history are rolled into one in 'The Mississippi Dippy Dip'. This song was recorded in 1911 and features the vocals of Arthur Collins (baritone) and Byron Harlan (tenor). The digitised recording is from the U.S. Library of Congress, with some remastering by Marine Café Blog. (3.4 MiB, MP3, 2:45 minutes)
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2022-10-15Ol’ Man River by Frank Sinatra (remastered)Ole 'Blue Eyes performs Ol' Man River, an iconic song from the 1927 American musical Show Boat. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of Frank Sinatra's 1945 recording published on the Internet Archive. (5.9 MiB, MP3, 4 minutes)
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2023-04-27Jamaica Farewell by Harry Belafonte (remastered)Listen and be captivated by Harry Belafonte's 1956 performance of 'Jamaica Farewell'. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 3:27 minutes)
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2022-10-05Mississippi Sawyer (traditional fiddle tune)'Mississippi Sawyer' is an old American fiddle tune with an interesting title. The Library of Congress explains: "The title refers to a frightening phenomenon during floods on the Mississippi. Great trees would be wrenched from the bank by flood waters and would be dragged underwater in the raging torrent, only to impale themselves in the bottom and rise like monsters from the deep to threaten the paths of boats struggling to navigate the flood. This was the dread Mississippi sawyer." This 1967 recording is from the Library of Congress and was remastered by Marine Café Blog. it features American fiddler James Reed (1884–1968). (492 KiB, MP3, 1:27 minutes)1 file(s) 80 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-09-22The Wellerman by Alexander Nakarada (full version for iPhones)This is the best instrumental version of 'The Wellerman', converted by Marine Café Blog for the enjoyment of iPhone users. The recording is by Alexander Nakarada, a gifted musician from Norway. It is distributed on this website under Nakarada's original Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. (1.8 MiB, m4a, 1:56 minutes)
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2022-09-17Sailor’s Hornpipe by the London Dance OrchestraThe swing band London Dance Orchestra performs a wonderful version of 'Sailor's Hornpipe', a traditional folk melody. The recording is from 1924 and was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (2 MiB, MP3, 1:33 minutes) See also 'Sailor's Hornpipe' by Charles D'Almaine .1 file(s) 95 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-09-14Sailor’s Hornpipe by Charles D’Almaine (for iPhones)Marine Café Blog has converted this traditional folk melody especially for iPhone users. The 1913 recording features the violin music of Charles D'Almaine (1871–1943) and was kindly provided by the University of California, Santa Barbara Library. (3.9 MiB, m4a, 4:11 minutes)
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2022-09-12Santa Lucia (Neopolitan boat song)This traditional Neopolitan song was arranged by Italian composer Teodoro Cottrau (1827–1879). It was recorded in 1917 with Fernando Guaneri singing it in Neopolitan [CLICK HERE for the Neopolitan and English lyrics]. Marine Café Blog remastered the audio that was kindly provided by the University of California, Santa Barbara Library. (3.6 MiB, MP3, 3:11 minutes)
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2022-09-11Rio Grande and Billy Boy (back to back shanties)British baritone singer John Goss (1891–1953) recorded these two sea shanties in 1929 together with the Cathedral Male Voice Quartet. The digitised recording from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.1 MiB, MP3) 2:40 minutes)
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2022-09-09Row, Row, Row Your Boat (ringtone for Android phones)This ringtone featuring the popular children's song should appeal to adults who love boats. It is a cut from a 1954 recording by The Elliot Brothers Orchestra. (399.8 KiB KiB, MP3, 18 seconds)
Click here for the iPhone version.
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2023-03-04Row, Row, Row Your Boat (ringtone for iPhone)This ringtone featuring the popular children's song should appeal to adults who love boats. It is a cut from a 1954 recording by The Elliot Brothers Orchestra. (316.9 KiB KiB, m4a, 18 seconds)
Click here for the Android phone version.
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2022-09-12Sailing Down the Chesapeake Bay (vintage song)This charming song will take you back to the good old days of Chesapeake Bay passenger shipping. It was recorded in 1913 by the Premier Quartet (aka American Quartet). The digitised recording comes from the University of California, Santa Barbara Library. ((3.1 MiB, MP3, 3:21 minutes) Click here for the song lyrics.1 file(s) 225 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-09-14Sailor’s Hornpipe by Charles D’Almaine (instrumental music)'Sailor's Hornpipe' is a folk melody that served in earlier centuries as music for sailors dancing aboard their ships (click here to learn more about its origins). This 1913 recording features American violinist Charles D'Almaine (1871–1943). It is courtesy of the University of California, Santa Barbara Library. (3.8 MiB, MP3, 4:12 minutes) Get the iPhone version here.
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2022-09-05We Parted on the Shore by Sir Harry Lauder (song in MP3)Parting is a sad moment for a sailor and his sweetheart, but 'We Parted on the Shore' is humorous and entertaining. This song from 1908 features the vocals of Scottish singer and comedian Sir Harry Lauder (1870–1950). The digitised recording is courtesy of the University of California, Santa Barbara Library. (2.1 MiB, MP3, 2:18 minutes)1 file(s) 87 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-09-05Banana Boat (Day-o) by Harry Belafonte: ringtone-2 (for Android phones)This ringtone is the intro segment of Belafonte's classic song as remastered by Marine Café Blog. (581 KiB, MP3, 24 seconds). See also Belafonte's Banana Boat: ringtone-1.
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2022-09-04When the Bell in the Lighthouse Rings (love song, MP3)A sailor who misses his bonnie Kate derives inspiration from a lighthouse: "When the bell in the lighthouse rings ding dong/ When it clangs its warning loud and long/ Then a sailor will think of his sweetheart so true/ And long for the day he'll come back to you." This 1910 recording features the impressive baritone voice of Frank C. Stanley (1868 – 1910). It is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the audio from the University of California, Santa Barbara Library. ( 6 MiB, MP3, 4:12 minutes)
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2022-09-03Drunken Sailor (piano version) ringtoneThis ringtone for Android phones features the piano version of the popular sea shanty 'Drunken Sailor'. (463.7 KiB, MP3, 21 seconds).1 file(s) 101 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-07-18Le cygne (The swan) (classical music)The great Spanish-born cellist Pablo Casals (1876–1973) plays 'Le cygne' (The swan) in this 1926 recording. He is accompanied at the piano by Russian-born Nicolai Mednikoff. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster. (4.2 MiB, MP3, 2:45 minutes)
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2022-08-30Seaquest by Black Bones (pirate song)'Seaquest' is a mind-blowing pirate song by the Italian rock band Black Bones. It is part of the group's album 'Pirates of the Coast' released in 2009. This track is from the Free Music Archive and is redistributed by Marine Café Blog under an Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.. |
2022-08-28Smooth Sailing by Ella Fitzgerald (ringtone for Android phone)Jazz up your Android phone with this cool and classy ringtone featuring the vocals of American jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996). It is a cut from her 1951 recording and was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (630 KiB, MP3, 29 seconds) CLICK HERE to get the iPhone version of this ringtone.1 file(s) 64 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-08-28Smooth Sailing by Ella Fitzgerald (ringtone for iPhone)This cool and classy ringtone features the vocals of American jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996). It is a cut from her 1951 recording and was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (518.8 KiB, m4a, 30 seconds)
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2022-08-26Pirate Song (ringtone for Android phones)This is a ringtone true-blooded pirate fans will love. It is a cut from 'Pirate Song', a 1925 recording featuring the vocals of American baritone singer Reinald Werrenrath with lyrics adopted from Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure novel, 'Treasure Island'. (561 KiB, MP3, 17 seconds)1 file(s) 188 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-08-22Over the Summer Sea (song in MP3)'Over the Summer Sea' is an adaptation of the song 'La donna è mobile' (Woman is fickle) from Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Rigoletto'. It features the vocals of Raymond Dixon, pseudonym of American operatic tenor Harry Lambert Murphy (1885–1954). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1914 Victor recording. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 1:33 minutes)
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2022-08-16Lowlands Away by Emmie Ward (traditional ballad)'Lowlands Away' is about a sailor who dreams about his love who has passed away. The song has varying lyrics, some versions suggesting that the loved one died in a shipwreck. Read more here.This recording is courtesy of the English Folk Song & Dance Society and and features the beautiful vocals of British folk musician Emmie Ward. (2.8 MiB, MP3, 3:05 minutes)1 file(s) 111 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-08-13The Harbor of Love (old-time song in MP3)'The Harbor of Love' was recorded in 1912 by American tenor Walter J. Van Brunt (1892–1971). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster. (3.2 MiB, MP3, 3:18 minutes)
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2022-08-13Captain Blood (ringtone for iPhones)iPhone owners deserve more than a run-of-the-mill ringtone. This one is special indeed. It is a cut from the intro to 'Captain Blood' by The Black Bones musical band. The audio file is distributed by Marine Café Blog under the band's original licence: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States . |
2022-08-12Beautiful Bristol Bay by John Lopker (song in MP3)This original song by American singer-songwriter John Lopker is a tribute to Alaska's Bristol Bay. It is also a protest song against the controversial plan to build the Pebble Mine. Lopker shared the song via the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence. (4.7 MiB, MP3, MP3, 2:38 minutes) A note from Lopker about 'Beautiful Bristol Bay': "Bristol Bay is the lifeblood of Alaska. Home to the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon run, the bay provides tens of thousands of Alaskan jobs and feeds Americans from coast to coast. Its pristine waters have sustained the Indigenous peoples of the region for millennia, and each year tens of thousands of anglers and visitors from around the world are drawn to its extraordinary beauty and abundance. The foreign-owned Pebble Mine would poison Bristol Bay, weaken Alaska’s economy, and threaten our way of life."1 file(s) 69 downloadsCategory: Environment & Climate Change, Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-08-09Captain Blood (ringtone for Android phones)This thrilling ringtone is a cut from the intro to 'Captain Blood' by The Black Bones musical band. The audio file is distributed by Marine Café Blog under the band's original licence: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States . |
2022-08-04The Blue Danube (classic ringtone for iPhones)This ringtone is a cut from Johann Strauss, Jr.'s famous waltz composition 'The Blue Danube' recorded by Bob Stanley and Orchestra in 1944. It is in a musical format that can be played by iPhones. (154.9 KiB KiB, m4a, 17 seconds)
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2022-08-03Barco Negro by Amália Rodrigues (Portuguese love song)'Barco Negro' is a moving song about a woman whose love for a sailor is so strong that she refuses to believe it when told that he will not return from sea. The 1954 recording features the vocals of the famous Portuguese singer, Amália Rodrigues (1920–1999). The audio file from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog. Click here for the lyrics in Portuguese with an English translation. (5.7 MiB, MP3, 3:29 minutes)1 file(s) 91 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-07-09The Sea by Anton Khoryukov (contemporary classical piano music)'The Sea' is an evocative piano piece. It was composed and played by Anton Khoryukov, who was born in Russia in 1979 but has lived in Germany since 2000. The recording was made available by the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence |
2022-06-25The Drunken Sailor by Captain Richard MaitlandThis version of 'The Drunken Sailor' was recorded in the 1930s by Captain Richard Maitland. It begins with an interesting intro by Maitland, who says the shanty was usually sung by sailors to accompany the task of scrubbing the bottom of the ship's hull. The recording is from the U.S. Library of Congress album, American Sea Songs and Shanties (I), with some remastering by Marine Café Blog. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 2:54)
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2022-06-11‘She was Just a Sailor’s Sweetheart (old-time music)'She was Just a Sailor's Sweetheart (Era la Novia de un Marinero)' has the charm of old-time music. Recorded in 1926 under the Victor label, it features American singer Fran Frey (1903–1962) and the George Olsen and his Music band. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the audio file from the Internet Archive. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 3:13 minutes) See also 'By the Beautiful Sea' , a vintage song about love.1 file(s) 89 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-06-09Drunken Sailor by Roger McGuinnThis is a splendid version of 'Drunken Sailor' by Roger McGuinn, an American folk singer and former frontman of the rock music band The Byrds. It is part of McGuinn's Folk Den Project and is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States.licence. |
2022-06-06The Salt of the Sea for Me (a ballad of the sea)'The Salt of the Sea for Me' is about a sailor's love for the life at sea. The song was written by American songwriter Arthur A. Penn (1875–1941) and features the bass vocals of Frank C. Stanley (1868-1910). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1904 Victor recording from the U.S. Library of Congress. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 2:55 minutes)1 file(s) 133 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-06-04A – roodle – tum – toodle – tum – too (old sea song)'A-roodle-tum-toodle-tum-too' is a delightful sea song. It was performed and recorded in 1939 by Captain Leighton Robinson, who heard the song when he first went to sea in 1888. The last line in the recording is incomplete and goes as follows: "Alas, that false deceitful maid, With a musical man she had flown." The audio file from the U.S. Library of Congress was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (5 MiB, MP3, 3:05 minutes)1 file(s) 124 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-06-01HEAVE HO! MY LADS, HEAVE HO! (remastered vintage recording)This is a vintage recording of Heave Ho! My Lads! Heave Ho!, the official song of the U.S. Maritime Service. It features the Sheepshead Bay Training Station Concert Band, USMS. The 78rpm recording from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 2:45 minutes)
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2022-05-28Anchors Aweigh by Perry and Harry Accordion DuetThis is a delightful performance of the classic march song composed in 1906 by Charles A. Zimmermann. The 78rpm recording (probably from the 1940s) is from the Internet Archive. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.9 MiB, MP3, 2:24 minutes)1 file(s) 94 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-05-19Sailing by Christopher John Stephens"Sailing" speaks metaphorically of sailing through life and its "stormy waters". The song was composed by Scottish songwriter Gavin Sutherland in 1972 and popularised by Rod Stewart in 1975 with his international hit. This 2016 recording is by Christopher John Stephens, an American musician amd writer who has made it available to everyone via the Internet Archive. (4.2 MiB, MP3, 4:34 minutes) Click here for the complete lyrics.1 file(s) 104 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-04-30Ol’ Man River by Tony Fontane (vintage song in MP3)This 1951 recording of Ol' Man River is by Tony Fontane (1925– 1974), an American recording artist in the 1940s and 1950s. Fontane's clear tenor voice and wide vocal range make it a pleasure to listen to. The audio file is courtesy of the Internet Archive and was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (5 MiB, MP3, 2:15 minutes) See also Ol' Man River by Paul Roberson (1936 recording).1 file(s) 81 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-04-27Dusky Stevedore by Louis Armstrong and his orchestraJazz legend Louis Armstrong performs with his orchestra the iconic song about a stevedore written by Andy Razaf and J. C. Johnson. This 1933 recording is courtesy of the Internet Archive. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog for the best sound quality possible. (6 MiB, MP3, 2:54 minutes)
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2022-04-24Dusky Stevedore by the New Yorkers orchestra'Dusky Stevedore' is an iconic song whch saw several different recordings in 1928. This version features the New Yorkers, a Carl Fentons orchestra, with vocal portions sung by Carl Mathieu. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog from an audio file published in the Internet Archive. Click here for the full text of the song. (4.8 MiB, MP3, 3:08 minutes
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2022-04-17Captain Kidd by Ella Mae Morse (remastered)'Captain Kidd' is about William Kidd (byname Captain Kidd), a 17th century English privateer and legendary pirate. This version of the traditional ballad features the vocals of American singer Ella Mae Morse (1924–1999), "whose 1940s and 1950s recordings mixing jazz, blues, and country styles influenced the development of rock and roll" (Wikipedia.org). It is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1945 78rpm recording from the Internet Archive. (6.3 MiB, MP3, 2:50 minutes)
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2022-09-06Blue Danube by The Lutton Girls ChoirThis famous waltz was composed by Johann Strauss II in 1866. It features The Lutton Girls Choir, an English voice ensemble that performed between 1936 and 1977, with orchestra led by English composer/conductor George Melachrino (1909–1965). The undated 78rpm recording from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog for best playback quality. (6.1 MiB, MP3, 3:59 minutes)
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2022-04-14Old Ironsides by John Philip Sousa (march)John Philip Sousa, the American composer and conductor known for his marches, wrote 'Old Ironsides' in 1926. It was for a fund-raising event at Madison Square Garden to restore the historic frigate USS Constitution (nicknamed "Old Ironsides"). This 2020 recording features the "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. It is included in the album The Complete Marches of John Philip Sousa: Vol. 6 (1922-1928). (5.7 MiB, MP3, 2:29 minutes)1 file(s) 122 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-04-11Sailing by the Haydn Quartet'Sailng' (aka 'Sailing, Sailing Over the Bounding Main') was written in 1880 by British composer Godfrey Marks, pseudonym of James Frederick Swift (1847–1931). This version of the song was performed and recorded in 1907 by the Haydn Quartet. It is from the U.S. Library of Congress, remastered by Marine Café Blog to remove some of the noise and enhance the sound quality. (5.6 MiB, MP3, 2:25 minutes)1 file(s) 112 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-04-10By the Beautiful Sea (vintage song about love)This happy, carefree song about a couple in love was recorded in 1914. It features the vocals of American singers Ada Jones and Billy Watkins. The audio file comes from the Free Music Archive Freemusicarchive.org under a Public Domain / Sound Recording Common Law Protection License |
2022-04-10There is Somebody Waiting for Me by Sir Harry Lauder (sailor’s song)This vintage song should resonate with many of today's seafarers. It was composed and recorded in 1917 by Sir Harry Lauder (1870–1950), a British baritone singer and comedian. Sir Lauder dedicated it to "every sailor that sails the sea". The audio file from the U.S. Library of Congress was remastered by Marine Café Blog to reduce some of the noise. (5.2 MiB, MP3, 3:54 minutes)1 file(s) 95 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-04-08Go to Sea Once More by Roger McGuinn'Go to Sea Once More' is about a sailor who gets very drunk in Liverpool and has his money and clothes stolen by a prostitute. Reluctantly, he goes back to sea and experiences a harsh life on board a whaling ship. Click here for the lyrics. The song is performed by American folk singer Roger Mcguinn and is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2022-04-08Pay Me My Money Down by Roger McGuinn'Pay Me My Money Down' originated as a song of black stevedores working in the Sea Islands off the U.S. state of Georgia. Unscupulous ship captains would tell the dockers to load or unload their vessels, promising to pay them the next day. But on the night prior, they would leave harbour without paying. This version is by American folk singer Roger McGuinn, part of his Folk Den project. Mr. McGuinn has made the song available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2022-04-05Sea Songs (1913 recording by various artists)This is a medley of seven sea songs recorded in 1913 under the Victor label: 1) 'Sailing'; 2) 'Larboard watch'; 3) 'Rocked in the cradle of the deep'; 4) 'Life on the ocean wave'; 5) 'Asleep in the deep'; 6) 'Nancy Lee; 7) 'Anchored'. The audio file was provided by the U.S. Library of Congress and remastered by Marine Café Blog, (5.9 MiB, MP3, 4 minutes) See also "Medley of Sea Songs' (accordion music in MP3).1 file(s) 99 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-04-04Anchors Aweigh by the United States Navy Band'Anchors Aweigh' was composed in 1906 by Charles Zimmerman, then a lieutenant and the bandmaster of the United States Naval Academy Band. This 1993 recording features the U.S. Navy Band. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog from the Library of Congress audio file. (3.2 MiB, MP3, 2:43 minutes)
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2022-04-01WHOA SAILOR (a fun song from the 1940s)Swing to 'WHOA SAILOR' featuring the vocals of the popular American singers, Rosalie Allen and Billy Williams. The song was first recorded in 1947 and again in 1953. This audio file is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 78rpm record from the Internet Archive. (4.2 MiB, MP3, 2:24 minutes) See also 'Sailor Song' by the Peerless Quartet.1 file(s) 133 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-01-15Smooth Sailing by Ella Fitzgerald (jazz song)'Smooth Sailing' is a wonderful chill-out song, especially for those who love jazz music. It was recorded in 1951 by American jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996) together with The Ray Charles Singers. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of an audio file from the Internet Archive. (5.1 MiB, MP3, 3:04 minutes)
See also Ella Fitzgrald's great rendition of 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean' .
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2022-03-09“Calypso”—Harry Belafonte (1956) (article)Judith E. Smith provides some interesting insights into Harry Belafonte's life and his trendsetting 1956 album Calypso, which includes ' "Day-O (Banana Boat Song)". Ms. Smith is a book author and Professor of American Studies at University of Massachusetts Boston. This article is courtesy of the Library of Congress, USA. (234 KiB, PDF, 4 pages)1 file(s) 8 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-03-09The Banana Boat Song by Freddy QuinnThis version of the traditional Jamaican folk song was written by Erik Darling; Bob Carey and Alan Arkin. It was recorded in 1957 by Austrian singer and actor Freddy Quinn together with Horst Wende and his Rhythm Boys. The digitised 78rpm record from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.6 MiB, MP3, 2 minutes and 31 seconds)1 file(s) 99 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-01-21A-Roving by Leonard Warren (shanty in MP3)'A-Roving' is a delightful shanty about a sailor's romantic escapade in Amsterdam. It features the vocals of American baritone singer Leonard Warren (1911–1960) with orchestra and chorus. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1948 recording digitised by Kahle/Austin Foundation and published on the Internet Archive. (4.7 MiB, MP3, 2:48 minutes) Click here to learn more about the song.1 file(s) 107 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-01-16Little Tugboat (a ditty in MP3)'Little Tugboat is a short, simple song that will delight tugboat lovers, both young and old. The performer is unidentified. The original 78rpm recording from 1962 was digitised by the California-based Kahle Austin Foundation and published on the Internet Archive. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (1.8 MiB, MP3, 1:07 minutes) See also 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat', another delightful song.1 file(s) 107 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-01-06Two Jolly Sailors (lighthearted song in MP3)'Two Jolly Sailors' is a fun song in which two ship captains tell stories of their adventures at sea. It features the vocals of American singers Byron G. Harlan (tenor) and Steve Porter (baritone) with orchestra. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the record released by Victor in 1913. (3.7 MiB, MP3, 3:33 minutes) See also 'I Love to be a Sailor', another lighthearted song.1 file(s) 107 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-01-06I Love to be a Sailor by Sir Harry Lauder (vintage song in MP3)'I Love to be a Sailor' is a delightful song sung from the point of view of an old salt. It features the vocals of Scottish singer and comedian Sir Harry Lauder (1870–1950) with orchestra. The 1917 Victor recording provided by the United States Library of Congress was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.1 MiB, MP3, 3:35 minutes) See also 'Two Jolly Sailors' .1 file(s) 184 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-05-26Steamboat Bill (old-time song in MP3)Steamboat Bill' is a 1910 song with music by the American vaudeville group Leighton Brothers and lyrics by Ren Shields. This 1911 recording features the vocals of American baritone singer Arthur Collins (1864 – 1933). It is a Marine Café Blog remaster. (3.2 MiB, MP3, 2:29 minutes) See also 'Steamboat Bill' by Irving Kaufman.1 file(s) 164 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-07-24La Mer by Charles Trenet (French song, restored)'La Mer' (The Sea) is a classic French song that celebrates the beauty of the sea (click here for an English translation of the lyrics) This 1947 recording features the vocals of French singer and composer Charles Trenet (1913 – 2001) who wrote the song. The audio from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (4.5 MiB, MP3, 3:18 minutes) See also 'La Mer' by Jacqueline François.1 file(s) 556 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-12-19I Saw Three Ships by Ben DeVries (a Christmas song in MP3)'I Saw Three Ships' is a traditional English Christmas carol. This version is by Ben DeVries, a British singer, musician and music producer.The recording is from the Free Music Archive and published by Marine Café Blog under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) International licence. (5.3 MiB, MP3, 5:14 minutes) See also Roger McGuinn's version of 'I Saw Three Ships'.1 file(s) 102 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-12-13Ship at Sea by Bob Wiseman (nautical song in MP3)'Ship at Sea' will appeal to modern ears with its blending of jazz, rock, and experimental pop elements. Released in 1989, this recording features the music of Bob Wiseman, a Canadian jazz pianist, singer-songwriter and music producer. The Free Music Archive has made it available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States licence |
2022-12-09Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Mister Jan (song in MP3)'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' is a modern take on a classic children's song that should appeal to adults. The recording was made available on the Free Music Archive under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licence |
2021-12-03Blow, Boys, Blow (sea shanty in MP3)This is a short but wonderful version of the halyard shanty, 'Blow, Boys, Blow'. The 1962 recording published on the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog to enhance the sound quality. (1.4 MiB, MP3, 49 seconds) Click here for some interesting facts about 'Blow, Boys, Blow'.1 file(s) 196 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-11-27Whiskey-O by Roger McGuinn (shanty in MP3)'Whiskey-O' is a halyard shanty also known as 'Whiskey Johnny' and 'Whiskey is the Life of Man'. The performer is American folk singer Roger McGuinn, who has made it available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-11-06What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor by the King’s Point Glee Club (shanty, MP3)Enjoy the sheer energy of this version of 'What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor' by the King's Point Glee Club of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The band accompaninent is just superb. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the recording published on the Internet Archive. (1.8 MiB, MP3, 1:10 minutes)1 file(s) 152 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-12-29Pebble Beach by Ed Askew (folk song in MP3)'Pebble Beach' is a nostalgic song about the beach featuring the unique vocals of New Yorker Ed Askew. It has great instrumentation and ambient sounds. This recording was made available on the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License. (4.6 MiB, MP3, 3:18 minutes) See also The Beach by Yusuke Tsutsumi.1 file(s) 115 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-28The Flying Dutchman (song based on the famous maritime legend, MP3)'The Flying Dutchman' is based on the old European legend about a ghost ship whose appearance before sailors is believed to signal imminent disaster. This 1950 recording features the vocals of American singer-songwriter Richard Hayes (1930–2014) with Mitch Miller's Orchestra. It is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the audio file published on the Internet Archive. (3.7 MiB, MP3, 2:10 minutes) Click here for another wonderful version of 'The Flying Dutchman'.1 file(s) 129 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-25Pirates by Nick Green (punk rock pirate song )Rock music fans will love Nick Green's punk version of 'Pirates'. The 2009 recording is courtesy of Jamendo Music, made available to the public under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) licence. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 1:57 minutes). CLICK HERE for a "tamer" version of this song.1 file(s) 87 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-25Pirates by Nick Green (pirate song in MP3)'Pirates' is a song that will captivate pirate fans with its melody and lyrics. The 2009 recording is courtesy of Jamendo Music, made available to the public under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) licence. (5.3 MiB, MP3, 3:47 minutes)
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2021-10-23There Lies a Ship by Roger Watson (English folk song in MP3)'There Lies a Ship' is a charming folk song about the triumph of a woman's love for a sailor. It is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, which gives this synopsis: A girl loves a young man, but her father dislikes him and sends him away on a ship so they cannot be together. She waits for 7 years, when her sailor returns. They marry in secret, despite her father's wishes. This recording is provided for your personal, non-commercial use. (2.1 MiB, MP3, 3:38 minutes)1 file(s) 94 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-19Shenandoah by John Goss (traditional folk song, MP3)'Shenandoah' is thought by some as a sea shanty, but it's definitely one of America's most beloved folk songs. This recording from 1925 features the vocals of British baritone John Goss (1891–1953) together with the Cathedral Male Voice Quartet. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog to remove some of the noise. (6.5 MiB, MP3, 2:57 minutes) See also Roger McGuinn's lovely version of 'Shenandoah'.1 file(s) 87 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-17A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea by Allan Cunningham (sea song read aloud, MP3)'A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea' is a sea song written by Scottish poet Allan Cunningham (1784 – 1842). The lyrics were read aloud for Librivox.org by Jason Mills. His delivery is so dramatic and convincing that you can imagine yourself on a sailing ship trekking the high seas. (523.7 KiB, MP3, 1:05 minutes) Click here for the complete lyrics of 'A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea' (with music sheet and a brief note about the song's author).1 file(s) 109 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-17Medley of Sea Songs (accordion music in MP3)'Medley of Sea Songs' is a delightful medley of six songs — Sailing, Sailors Hornpipe, Blow the Man Down, Fishers' Hornpipe, Nancy Lee, and Tantalizing Tar. It was recorded in 1932 by American piano-accordionist and composer Charles Magnante (1905 –1986) and his accordion orchestra. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised recording from the Internet Archive. (7.9 MiB, MP3, 4:53 minutes)1 file(s) 142 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-15Canoe Song by Paul Robeson (song from a movie, MP3)'Canoe Song' features the vocals of American baritone Paul Robeson (1898 – 1976), who is known for his great rendition of 'Ol Man River, It is from the 1935 British film Sanders of the River and has a timeless social message: "For light is the burden of labor/ When each bends his back with his neighbor/ So each for all/ We stand or fall/ And all for each/ Until we reach/ The journey's end." The 1935 recording is courtesy of Bob Varney on the Internet Archive, remastered by Marine Café Blog to play at a higher quality 320kbps. (6.6 MiB, MP3, 2:53 minutes) Click here for the complete lyrics of 'Canoe Song'.1 file(s) 113 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-14Sally Brown, Hanging Johnny and Whisky Johnny (3-shanties-in-one, MP3)This 1928 recording of three popular shanties features the vocals of British baritone singer John Goss (1891–1953) backed by the Cathedral Male Voice Quartet. It is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 78rpm record from the Internet Archive. (5.1 MiB, MP3, 2:58 minutes) See also American baritone Mordy Bauman's back-to-back recording of 'A-Roving & Drunken Sailor'.1 file(s) 100 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-10Guantanamera (a song about love for one’s native land and its people )'Guantanamera' is a famous Cuban song. It is not a maritime song but it will resonate with sailors and others who love the land of their birth and its people. "Con los pobres de la tierra/ Quiero yo mi suerte echar" (With the poor people of this earth, I want to share my fate), goes one verse. The song uses words from a poem by the great Cuban poet, José Martí. It was performed live in 1965 on a US television show by Pete Seeger, Rosa Valentin, and Rafael Martinez with some English translation by Seeger. The recording from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog to play at a higher quality 320kbps. (8 MiB, MP3, 3:29 minutes)1 file(s) 104 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-09Boat’s Up the River by Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs (blues/country song in MP3)'Boat's Up the River' is about the narrator's fascination with the river. The opening lines will make you want to continue listening: "The boat's up the river and it won't come down,/ Then I believe to my soul, that I'm waterbound." The song was performed live in 2015 at radio station WFMU's Live Room by British singer-songwriter Holly Golightly and her longtime band mate Lawyer Dave (The Brokeoffs).The recording was made available on the Free Music Archive under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licence |
2021-10-10My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean by Ella Fitzgerald (ringtone for Android phones)This ringtone will make you and others take notice when it goes off on your phone. It is a cut from 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean' by legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald with its distinctive jazz and Latin upbeats. (801 KiB, MP3, 27 seconds) Click here for the full recording of Fitzgerald's song.1 file(s) 125 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-09My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean by Ella Fitzgerald (traditional Scottish song, MP3)American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996) does a unique performance of 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean' in this 1952 recording. Fitzgerald lends her sweet voice to the old Scottish song, accompanied by Bobby Orton's energetic Teen-Aces. The digitised 78rpm record from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog to play at a higher quality 320Kbps. (5.0 MiB, MP3, 2:11 minutes)1 file(s) 154 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-02pirates by Silent Johnny (rock song in MP3)Fans of pirates and rock/punk music will love 'pirates' by the Silent Johnny band. The drum playing is insane! The 2008 recording was made available by Jamendo Music under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) licence. Some remastering was done by Marine Café Blog. (6.5 MiB, MP3, 3:58 minutes)1 file(s) 106 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-02‘Dead Horse’ aka ‘Poor Old Man’ (shanty in MP3)'Dead Horse' (also known as 'Poor Old Man') is a ceremonial shanty sung at the end of a sailor's first month at sea. It was to celebrate the end of the sailor's debt to the ship, when he started working for himself. This song is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1939 recording from the US Library of Congress. It features the unaccompanied vocals of Alex Barr, Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur. Sidney Robertson Cowell, Leighton McKenzie and Leighton Robinson. (4.8 MiB, MP3, 3:25 minutes) In a Library of Congress blog article, Stephen Winick says about this shanty: "The “Dead Horse” shanty refers to a particular tradition among sailors relating to the advance they typically drew on their wages. Usually, a sailor went to sea after his credit ran out ashore, so he used an advance on his wages to pay his creditor, who was usually the boarding house master where he lived. Because of this, for the first one to three months of his voyage he was just working off his debt—which was known as “paying for a dead horse.” CLICK HERE to read 'A Deep Dive Into Sea Shanties'.1 file(s) 125 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-30Drunken Sailor by the Jolly Tunesmiths (Irish dance music in MP3)This version of the popular shanty 'Drunken Sailor' is set to the music of a traditional Irish folk dance. It was recorded in 1947 under the Standard label of the defunct Standard Phono Corp, New York. The digitised recording was published on the Internet Archive and remastered by Marine Café to improve the sound quality. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 2:41 minutes)1 file(s) 114 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-29The Banana Boat Song by Shirley Bassey (traditional Jamaican song in MP3)Welsh singer Shirley Bassey (born 1937) was 20 years old when she recorded 'The Banana Boat Song' in 1957 together with Wally Scott's orchestra and chorus. It became her first hit. The song, written by Alan Arkin, Bob Carey and Erik Darling, is an adaptation of the traditional Jamaican song made popular by Harry Belafonte. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised vynyl record published on the Internet Archive. (5.1 MiB, MP3, 2:40 minutes)1 file(s) 173 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-28A Sailboat in the Moonlight by Billie Holiday (romantic song in MP3)'A Sailboat in the Moonlight" was recorded in 1937 by American jazz singer Billie Holiday (born 7 April 1915, Philadelphia — died 17 July 1959, New York City). In its obituary, The New York Times noted: "Miss Holiday set a pattern during her most fruitful years that has proved more influential than that of almost any other jazz singer, except the two who inspired her, Louis Armstrong and the late Bessie Smith." This is a remaster of the original recording. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 2:48 minutes)1 file(s) 145 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-26The Wellerman ringtone (instrumental, MP3)This is a remastered cut from the intrumental version of the famous whaling song 'The Wellerman' by Alexander Nakarada of Norway. Free to download and share under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. (685 KiB, MP3, 18 seconds)1 file(s) 263 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-28The Song of the Volga Boatmen by Pawel Prokopieni (traditional Russian folk song in MP3)'The Song of the Volga Boatmen' features the vocals of Polish bass-baritone opera singer Pawel Prokopieni (1910-1976) with Russian Ivan Basilevsky at the piano. The song (‘Eh, Ukhnem!’ to the Russians or ‘Yo, Heave Ho!’) pays tribute to the Volga River and the men who pulled barges against its current. This undated recording was made available via the Internet Archive by the Museum of Russian Culture, San Francisco. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). |
2021-09-17The Death of Nelson by Hazel Askew (traditional song in MP3)'The Death of Nelson' is about the death of British naval hero Horatio Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805. It features the vocals of Hazel Askew, a London-based singer, musician and composer. The recording is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society and is published by Marine Café Blog for your personal, non-commercial use. (2.3 MiB, MP3, 1:47 minutes) Read about the exemplary life and career of Horatio Nelson here.1 file(s) 84 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-14Three Galleons (pop song with choir and orchestra)'Three Galleons' is about Christopher Columbus' voyage of discovery to the Americas. It was recorded in 1955 by English conductor Johnny Douglas and his choir and orchestra. The song's title refers to the three ships of Columbus: the Pinta, the Niña and the Santa Maria. Technically, the flagship Santa Maria was a carrack and the other two ships were smaller caravels. This audio file is from the Internet Archive, remastered by Marine Café Blog to play at a higher quality 320kbps. (5.3 MiB, MP3, 2:20 minutes)1 file(s) 98 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-12An Introduction to English Sea Songs and Shanties (pamphlet)"An Introduction to English Sea Songs and Shanties" by David Atkinson was produced for the British Council by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS). The pamphlet contains useful information about English shanties and sea ballads and seafaring customs and beliefs. Also provided are the lyrics of 15 songs, including the very popular 'Blow the Man Down', 'Hanging Johnny' and 'Lowlands'. (1 MiB, PDF, 34 pages) NOTE: Copyright © British Council and English Folk Dance and Song Society 2016. You are allowed to make copies of this material for non-commercial educational purposes. Permission must be sought from EFDSS for any other use of this material.1 file(s) 16 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-09When That Great Ship Went Down (folk song in MP3)'When That Great Ship Went Down' is about the sinking of the RMS Titanic on 15th April 1912. The song features William and Versey Smith, an American husband and wife duo who specialised in blues and gospel music. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the Smiths' 1927 recording. (4.7 MiB, MP3, 2:57 minutes) See also 'Titanic' by American singer–musician Roger McGuinn.1 file(s) 132 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-09-05Tide Rising by Myndra (instrumental music in MP3)'Tide Rising' is a beautiful composition that captures the poetry of the rising tide. It was performed by Myndra, an Icelandic/Canadian trio active in 2014. The members were Linus Lárpera (vocals, guitars), Raziel C (violin, viola, piano), and Antoine Letberg (drums, percussion, clarinet, keyboards, synths, vocals). This recording was made available on the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence |
2021-09-03Across the Line by the Wellington Sea Shanty Society (traditional sea song in MP3)'Across the Line' describes a sailor's life during the age of wooden ships. It features the vocals of the Wellington Sea Shanty Society, a talented musical group from New Zealand. The song's title "Across the Line" refers to the equator (old or experienced sailors who have "crossed the line" are called 'shellbacks').The recording was made available on the Free Music Archive by W.S.S.S. under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States licence |
2021-08-30Back to Sea by Roger McGuinn (original song in MP3)A painting by French marine artist Roger Chapelet inspired American singer Roger McGuinn to compose 'Back to Sea'. The song is about the life of sailors as they travel around the world. It ends with the beautiful verse: "Pray that we ride a faithful tide/ Our topsail’s blowing free/ We’ll say hello to them Liverpool gals/ ‘Fore we head back to sea." The recording is part of McGuinn's Folk Den project and is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-08-25Blow, Ye Winds (song from the whaling era, remastered, MP3)'Blow, Ye Winds" by unidentified performers is about the travails of whaling sailors in the 19th century -- from the dangers of whale hunting to predators on land ("land sharks" and boarding house thieves). This 1962 recording is from the University of Illinois 78rpm Collection on the Internet Archive. It has been remastered by Marine Café Blog. (3.3 MiB, MP3, 1:27 minutes) Click here for the complete lyrics of 'Blow, Ye Winds' (the Pete Seeger version)1 file(s) 114 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-23The Music of the Waters by Laura Alexandrine Smith (book about sea songs)Pubished in 1888, 'The Music of the Waters' by English musicologist Laura Alexandrine Smith (1861–1902) is believed to be the first book to include the tunes of sea shanties and ballads with their lyrics. Scottish writer R.M. Ballantine noted in the Introductory Note:"With the courage of an original investigator, our authoress has ventured to 'beard the lion in his den.' She has personally gone straight to the 'fo'c'sle,' and interviewed the sailors not only of her own but of other lands, and thus has gathered from the men's own lips, and from their manly voices, the words and melodies which are most popular among them" (7.9 MiB, PDF, 393 pages)1 file(s) 22 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-04-15Titanic by Roger McGuinn (folk song in MP3)'Titanic' features the music and vocals of American singer Roger McGuinn, who wrote the lyrics based on the old folk song 'When That Great Ship Went Down'.Mr McGuinn has made this recording available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-08-19The Water Music, Suite VI – Allegro Deciso by Georg Friedrich Händel (MP3)'The Water Music' is a collection of orchestral movements by the German Baroque composer George Frideric Handel (1685–1759). This track is from the 1959 album 'The Royal Fireworks Suite / The Water Music Suite' featuring The Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of Eugene Ormandy. It is courtesy of Joygen Odiongan on the Internet Archive, with some remastering by Marine Café Blog. (5.8 MiB, MP3, 3:14 minutes) See also the Marine Café Blog post, 'The wonder of water: A celebration in song and art' .1 file(s) 123 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-15Ship Ahoy Polka (vintage recording in MP3)Recorded in 1949, 'Ship Ahoy Polka' is a merry song featuring the Merrie Musette Orchestra with vocal refrain by The Continental Capers. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 78rpm recording published in the Internet Archive. (5.2 MiB, MP3, 2:21 minutes) See also 'Sailormen' by John Charles Thomas, another vintage song in MP3.1 file(s) 88 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-15Leave Her, Johnny by the King’s Point Glee Club (shanty, MP3)The call and response in this version of 'Leave Her, Johnny' are notable for their clarity and vigour. The shanty was performed by the King's Point Glee Club of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the undated recording published by Joygen Odiongan in the Internet Archive.(1.7 MiB, MP3, 46 seconds) See also 'Leave Her, Johnny' by American singer-musician Roger McGuinn.1 file(s) 143 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-12What’ll We Do with the Drunken Sailor by The Norman Luboff Choir (shanty, MP3)Enjoy this popular shanty by The Norman Luboff Choir conducted by Norman Luboff (1917–1987), a noted American music arranger and choir director. 'What'll We Do with the Drunken Sailor' was included in the group's 1959 album Songs of the British Isles. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised track published in the Internet Archive.(3.8 MiB, MP3, 1:46 minutes)1 file(s) 115 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-11The Banana Boat Song by The Tarriers (Jamaican dock workers’ song, MP3)'The Banana Boat Song' by The Tarriers, an American vocal group, immediately became a hit when it was released in 1956. An adaptation of Harry Belafonte's 'Banana Boat' (Day-o), the song was written by Alan Arkin, Bob Carey and Erik Darling. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the original 78rpm recording published in the Internet Archive. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 2:58 minutes)1 file(s) 99 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-06-18The Wellerman by Alexander Nakarada (instrumental version in MP3)This is arguably the best instrumental version of the popular song 'Wellerman' (also called 'Soon May the Wellerman Come'). It is by Alexander Nakarada, a gifted musician from Norway. Nakarada released the recording in 2017, long before the whaling song went viral on Tiktok and other video/music sharing platforms. Nakarada has made it available to the general public under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. (2.6 MiB, MP3, 1:56 minutes)1 file(s) 1362 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-04Ship Ahoy by Rose Marie (vintage pop song in MP3)'Ship Ahoy' is a light, wholesome song about the romantic relationship between a small town girl and a sailor named Jose. It was recorded in 1952 by actress-singer Rose Marie (born Rose Marie Mazzetta,1923–2017). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 78rpm recording published in the Internet Archive. (3.8 Mib, MP3, 2:25 minutes)1 file(s) 93 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-02Haul Away Joe by Roger McGuinn (shanty in MP3)The popular shanty 'Haul Away Joe' gets a special musical treatment from American singer-musician Roger McGuinn. This recording is part of McGuinn's Folk Den project, He has kindly made it available for shanty lovers to enjoy under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-08-01The Banana Boat Song by The Fontane Sisters (traditional Jamaican song in MP3)'The Banana Boat Song' (Day-o) by The Fontane Sisters is a delightful adaptation of the traditional Jamaican song immortalised by Harry Belafonte. The Fontane Sisters were a trio from New Milford, New Jersey, made up of Bea,Geri and Marge Rosse. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1957 recording published in the Internet Archive. (3.6 MiB, MP3, 2:15 minutes) See also Sarah Vaughan's version of 'The Banana Boat Song'.1 file(s) 112 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-31Lowlands (Away) by Leonard Warren (remaster, MP3)'Lowlands (Away)' is considered by many as a sea shanty but some believe that it is a ballad. In the song, a dead lover comes to a sailor in a dream during a voyage to the "lowlands". This version features the powerful vocals of American operatic baritone singer Leonard Warren with orchestra conducted by Morris Levine. It is a remaster of the 1948 recording. (5.6 MiB, MP3, 3:19 minutes)1 file(s) 111 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-29El Marinero (The Sailor) ringtone for iPhonesSpice up your smartphone with some Dominican merengue music. This ringtone is a cut from 'El Marinero', a song that features the music of Ricardo Rico and his Los Tipicos Dominicanos band and the vocals of Florinda Sanchez. (355 KiB, m4r, 22 seconds) Get the version for Android phones here.1 file(s) 1 downloadCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-29El Marinero (The Sailor) ringtone for Android phonesSpice up your smartphone with some Dominican merengue music. This ringtone is a cut from 'El Marinero', a song that features the music of Ricardo Rico and his Los Tipicos Dominicanos band and the vocals of Florinda Sanchez. (659 KiB, MP3, 22 seconds) Get the iPhone version here.1 file(s) 93 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-28The Weary Whaling Grounds by Roger McGuinn (traditional song about whalers)'The Weary Whaling Grounds' is about the horrible shipboard conditions and low pay that 19th-century whaling ship crews had to endure while hunting for whales in Greenland. American singer-musician Roger McGuinn recorded the song as part of his Folk Den project. He has made it available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-07-27Still Sailor by The Inventors (Indie-Rock song)'Still Sailor' will appeal to those who love the sea and rock music. This Indie-Rock song was released in 2018 and features the Chicago rock band, The Inventors (Joe Mango - drums/vocals; Ray Skamay - guitar/backing vocals). It was made available on the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States licence. (6.6 MiB, MP3, 3:11 minutes)1 file(s) 96 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-23Pirate Song by Reinald Werrenrath (classic song in MP3)'Pirate Song' was written by American composer Henry F. Gilbert (1868–1928), who adopted words from Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure novel, Treasure Island. It features the rich vocals of American baritone opera singer Reinald Werrenrath (1883–1953). The recording is from1925 under the Victrola label. (4.1 MiB, MP3, 2:05 minutes) See also 'Pirate Song' by David S. Bispham.1 file(s) 100 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-19Bring Back My Bonnie to Me by Alma Gluck (in honour of those who fought in World War I)This is a beautiful rendition of 'Bring Back My Bonnie to Me', a traditional Scottish folk song. It features the vocals of Romanian-born American soprano Alma Gluck (1884 – 1938). The song was recorded in 1919 following the end of World War I (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918). This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 78rpm recording published in the Internet Archive. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 3 minutes)1 file(s) 140 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-18The surf and the cliff (exquisite sea music in MP3)'The surf and the cliff' evokes images of the sea and the majestic cliffs that inspired Claude Monet's paintings of Étretat. It was composed and performed by electronic music artist David Bayon, part of his album EN LA MAR - IN THE SEA. The recording is courtesy of Jamendo Music. It is redistributed by Marine Café Blog under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) licence. (8.8 MiB, MP3, 5:50 minutes)1 file(s) 100 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-16Lighthouse by Alice Mackay and Benfay (contemporary song in MP3)'Lighthouse' is a beautiful song for all those who love lighthouses and the sea. It features the vocals of Irish singer Alice Mackay and the electronic music of Benjamin Fay (Benfay) of Switzerland. This song is courtesy of the netlabel Thinner via the Internet Archive. It may be copied for private, non-commercial use under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) licence. (11.2 MiB, MP3, 8:08 minutes) See also 'Lighthouse' by Rusty Draper with the Jack Halloran Singers.1 file(s) 99 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-16SHIP AHOY, SHIP AHOY, SHIP AHOY (song in MP3)'SHIP AHOY, SHIP AHOY, SHIP AHOY' is about the stereotyical sailor who seeks out the girls when he comes on shore after a dreary time at sea. It features the delightful vocals of Jeroy Trio and The Highlanders singers. The original 78rpm record under the Spiro Records label was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle/Austin Foundation. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 2:36 minutes) See also 'Sailormen' by John Charles Thomas, anoher vintage song in MP3.1 file(s) 99 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-13AGUA by Alfredo Gonzalez Vilela (song in MP3)In 'AGUA', Galician singer-songwriter Alfredo González Vilela pays tribute to water, a precious resource most people take for granted. This 2009 recording is courtesy of Jamendo Music . It is redistributed by Marine Café Blog under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) licence. (5.3 MiB, MP3, 3:47 minutes) Click here for the song lyrics in Spanish and English.1 file(s) 145 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea Shanties, Spanish Songs (sea-related)Download |
2021-07-08Safe Harbor by Ed Askew (sailor’s song about love, MP3)'Safe Harbor' is about a seafarer returning from the sea and finding safe harbour in his love. New York-based singer Ed Crane Askew performs the song with tenderness without sounding overly sentimental. Askew has made this recording available via the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License. (8.3 MiB, MP3, 4:33 minutes)1 file(s) 111 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-06Ship Shape (orchestral and acoustic music in MP3)'Ship Shape' is an exhilarating piece of orchestral and acoustic music. It evokes images of the sea, sailing ships and cathedrals. The recording is courtesy of Jazzaria.com, which has not provided details as to the composer and performers. IMPORTANT: This is royalty-free music that can be redistributed. However, your usage.must be non-commercial and preserve the original work, and you must credit Jazzaria as your source. (6.3 MiB, MP3, 3:46 minutes)1 file(s) 102 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-03The Beach by Yusuke Tsutsumi (nautical music in MP3)'The Beach' will captivate you with its beautiful tapestry of tones and emotions. It was written and performed by Yusuke Tsutsumi, a young musician (born in 1991) who began composing when he was 14 years old. 'The Beach' can be categorised as ambient/ experimental music. Mr. Tsutumi has made the recording available via the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) licence |
2021-07-02A-Roving by Roger McGuinn (shanty in MP3)'A-Roving' is a capstan song about a sailor's tryst with a woman in Amsterdam who was "mistress of her trade'. The refrain "I’ll go no more a-roving with thee, fair maid" suggests that the adventurous chap contracted some disease as a result of the one-night stand. Click here for the lyrics and some notes about the song. This recording is part of the Folk Den project of American musician Roger McGuinn, who made it available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-06-30Wellerman (ringtone in MP3 for Android phones))This ringtone is a cut from the whaling song 'Wellerman' which went viral on TikTok and other social networking platforms. As a backgrounder, 'Wellerman' is a folk song, not a sea shanty as some have erroneously categorised it. The "wellerman" in the title refers to the boat/skipper that brought supplies to the shore whaling stations in New Zealand in the 1830s and 40s. (593 KiB, MP3, 21 seconds) See also 'Wellerman' by Nathan Evans (full version).1 file(s) 445 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-28Venetian Boat Song Op. 19 No. 6 by Felix Mendelssohn (piano music, MP3)German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847) was enamoured with Venice. His first impressions of the city and its gondolas inpired him to compose 'Venetian Boat Song Op. 19 No. 6' for piano. This recording by an unidentified pianist is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the audio published by Netfocus Universal – Sweden on the Internet Archive. (6.5 MiB, MP3, 2:50 minutes) Read about Mendelssohn's love affair with Venetian gondolas here.1 file(s) 211 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-01-28Venice Aqua by Alvaro M. Rocha (poetic instrumental music in MP3)'Venice Aqua' will make you feel that you're in Venice on a gondola. It was created and performed by Alvaro M. Rocha (stage name: AMR), a musician and audio engineer from Lisbon, Portugal. The piano playing interwoven with string and electronic ambient music can be rightly described as poetic. Rocha has made this recording available to the public under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Portugal licence. (4.2 MiB, MP3, 4:37 minutes)1 file(s) 140 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-26Blow the Man Down (sea shanty, ringtone for iPhone)This is a wonderful ringtone for shanty-loving iPhone users. It is the intro to 'Blow the Man Down' recorded in 1941 by the legendary American folk singer Woody Guthrie (1912 – 1967). (253 KiB, m4r, 15 seconds) Click here to get the ringtone version for Android phones (MP3 format). You might also like American folk singer Roger McGuinn's version of 'Blow the Man Down'. Click here to play and download the complete shanty.1 file(s) 25 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-25Golden Vanity by Roger McGuinn (traditional sea ballad in MP3)This song is about a cabin boy on the ship Golden Vanity who swims alongside an enemy ship and sinks it. He undertook the mission after being promised the hand of the captain's daughter. Not wanting to see his daughter get married, the captain breaks his promise and refuses to let the lad return to the ship. The boy is saved from drowning by his shipmates but dies on the deck. American folk singer Roger McGuinn has kindly made the recording available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-07-13Si Mi Voz Muriera en Tierra (Spanish sea song in MP3)'Si Mi Voz Muriera en Tierra' (If My Voice Dies on Land) is a song in Spanish that is remarkable for its poignant lyrics and haunting melody. It features the vocals of Galician singer-songwriter Alfredo González Vilela (born 1951), who sang it to the text of a poem by the highly acclaimed Spanish poet, Rafael Alberti (1902 – 1999). This recording was provided by Jamendo Music and is redistributed by Marine Café Blog under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) licence. ((3.4 MiB, MP3, 2:14 minutes) CLICK HERE for the original Spanish text of Rafael Alberti's poem with Englsh translation.1 file(s) 212 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea Shanties, Spanish Songs (sea-related)Download |
2021-06-21Shenandoah by the U.S. Air Force Band (traditional folk song, MP3)This is a breathtaking performance of the American folk song 'Shenandoah'. Recorded in 2017, it features the music and vocals of the United States Air Force Band. Click here for the origins and lyrics of the song. (3.4 MiB, MP3, 2:08 minutes) See also Harry Belafonte's version of Shenandoah'.1 file(s) 123 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-20The Rattling Bones of Gill McGee by The Black Bones (pirate song in MP3)'The Rattling Bones of Gill McGee' literally rocks.This pirate song is by The Black Bones, a talented rock band from Vienna, Austria. The group has kindly shared it via the Free Music Archive under an Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.. |
2021-07-13El Marinero (Dominican merengue song, MP3)'El Marinero' (The Sailor) exemplifies the beauty and liveliness of merengue, a type of music that originated in the Dominican Republic. Recorded in 1955, the song features the music of Ricardo Rico, merengue composer and orchestra leader, with his Los Tipicos Dominicanos band and the vocals of Florinda Sanchez. The digitised 78rpm recording is from the Internet Archive, with some remastering by Marine Café Blog to enhance the sound quality. (5.4 MiB, MP3, 3:08 minutes)1 file(s) 342 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea Shanties, Spanish Songs (sea-related)Download |
2021-07-13El Mar, el Cielo y Tú (romantic instrumental music, MP3)'El Mar, el Cielo y Tú' (The Sea, the Sky and You) features the music of Agustín Lara and his Orchestra. Señor Lara (1900 – 1970) was a Mexican composer of popular songs who was well known in Latin America and Spain. This digitised copy of the 78rpm record from the 1950s is courtesy of the Internet Archive. (5.6 MiB, MP3, 3:22 minutes) See also the Spanish love song 'Prisionero del Mar' (Prisoner of the Sea).1 file(s) 126 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea Shanties, Spanish Songs (sea-related)Download |
2021-06-18As I Sailed by Howard Mitchell and Ed Trickett (traditional ballad, MP3)'As I Sailed' is a traditional folk song about Captain William Kidd, a Scottish sea captain who was tried and executed in London in 1701 for murder and piracy. The performers are noted American folk singers Howard Mitchell and Ed Trickett. The recording is from 1962 and was made available in the Free Music Archive under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US) licence |
2021-06-17Haul Away Joe by Leonard Warren (shanty, MP3)This is a dramatic version of 'Haul Away Joe', a popular short-drag shanty that has many variations in lyrics and musical arrangement. It was recorded in 1948 by American opera singer Leonard Warren (1911 – 1960) with orchestra conducted by Maurice Levine and chorus. The audio file is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 78rpm recording published in the Internet Archive. (4.6 MiB, MP3, 2:50 minutes) See also the version of 'Haul Away Joe' by American folk singer Howie Mitchell.1 file(s) 114 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-16Lighthouse by Ray Morton (ambient music in MP3)'Lighthouse' by Ray Morton is a fine example of ambient music. The rich tapestry of sounds will transport you to the world of the lighthouse and the sea. This recording is courtesy of Jamendo Music and is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) licence. (6.4 MiB, MP3, 3:44 minutes) You might also like 'Lighthouse' by Rusty Draper and the Jack Halloran Singers.1 file(s) 107 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-14Sloop John B by Pete Seeger (folk song in MP3)'Sloop John B' is a traditional folk song from the Bahamas, in particular its capital, Nassau. It was performed by American folk singer Pete Seeger (1919 – 2014) in 1966 on the television programme Rainbow Quest. This recording is courtesy of Internet Archive member Karl Blumenthal. (4.1 MiB, MP3, 2:52 minutes)1 file(s) 232 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-12Blue Danube (waltz music ringtone, MP3)A beautiful ringtone for your beloved smartphone. This is a cut from Johann Strauss, Jr.'s famous waltz composition 'The Blue Danube' recorded by Bob Stanley and Orchestra in 1944. (457.9 KiB, MP3, 17 seconds) See also 'The Blue Danube' by the Vienna Philharmonic (full version).1 file(s) 282 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-12Lighthouse Song (easy listening pop music, MP3)'Lighthouse Song' is a charming song about a lighthouse keeper's love story. It was recorded in 1951 by Burt Taylor with Percy Faith and his Orchestra. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 78rpm recording published in the Internet Archive. (5.6 MiB, MP3, 2:43 minutes)1 file(s) 109 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-12The Blue Danube by the Vienna Philharmonic (waltz music, MP3)'The Blue Danube' was composed by Johann Strauss, Jr. in 1866 and is still the most beautiful waltz ever. It celebrates the joy of life and the majesty of the Danube, the second longest river in Europe after the Volga. This recording from 1934 features the great Vienna Philharmonic with Hungarian-born American conductor George Szell. It was provided by Internet Archive member Schwenk under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported licence. (12.2 MiB, MP3, 8:54 minutes) Read the interesting article, 'The Story Behind The Blue Danube'. CLICK HERE for a ringtone of 'The Blue Danube' in MP3 format.1 file(s) 1585 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-16Ol’ Man River by Paul Robeson (remastered 1936 recording, MP3)Ol' Man River' is a song from the 1927 American musical Show Boat about the toil and tribulation of African-Americans set against the backdrop of the Mississippi River. The narrative is told from the point of view of a black stevedore on a showboat, a floating theatre that travelled along the Mississippi (the "ol' man river") This version was performed by the baritone singer Paul Robeson (1898 – 1976), who was also a lawyer and civil rights activist. It is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the 1936 78rpm recording published in the Internet Archive. (4.3 MiB, MP3, 2:31 minutes) Read ‘Ol Man River and the pain of being black in America, a review of the song.1 file(s) 509 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-04-07Anchors Aweigh by the Victor Military Band and The Four Clubmen (remastered 1942 recording, MP3)Perk up your day with this version of the classic naval song, 'Anchors Aweigh'. It was performed by the Victor Military Band and The Four Clubmen as part of the 1942 Songs of the Service album. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of the digitised 78rpm track published in the Internet Archive. (4.1 MiB, MP3, 2:12 minutes). See also 'Anchors Aweigh' by Phil Spitalny.1 file(s) 70 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-04What will We Do with a Drunken Sailor? by the Irish Rovers (shanty, for iPhones)This is one of the most popular versions of 'What will We Do with a Drunken Sailor?' ('Drunken Sailor' for short). It is by The Irish Rovers, a group of Irish musicians formed in 1963 and renamed The Rovers in the 1980s. The audio file is in a format for use on iPhones (1.3 MiB, m4r, 2:38 minutes)1 file(s) 427 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-01I’m Popeye the Sailor Man (ringtone with vocals, MP3)This delightful ringtone features the vocals of Allen Swift (1924–2010), an American voice actor best known for voicing cartoon characters. It is a cut from 'I'm Popeye the Sailor Man' provided by the Internet Archive. The song was included in the 1957 78rpm Official Popeye TV Album. (839 KiB, MP3, 24 seconds)1 file(s) 225 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-23Pirate Song by David S. Bispham (song composed by Henry F. Gilbert, MP3)'Pirate Song" is the most famous work of American composer Henry F. Gilbert ((1868–1928). First published in 1902, it adopts words from Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' with additional stanzas by Alice H. Hyde. According to the Song of America website, the song "was immensely popular and was even performed for President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House." This 1911 recording features the voice of American operatic baritone David Scull Bispham (1857–1921). (3.7 MiB, MP3, 2:01 minutes)1 file(s) 136 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-29Day-o (Banana Boat) by the Grateful Dead (traditional Jamaican song in MP3Sheer calypso energy in this version of 'Day-o' (also known as 'Banana Boat'). The song was performed live in 1987 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena by the Grateful Dead, an American rock band active from 1965 to 1995. The recording is courtesy of Jonathan Aizen, who shared it via the Internet Archive. (3.4 MiB, MP3, 2:30 minutes) Harry Belafonte's classic rendition of the song, which was recorded in 1955, can be played and downloaded here.1 file(s) 91 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-28Lorelei (Siren Singing) by Ned Pedersen (original song in MP3)'Lorelei (Siren Singing)' was written, arranged and performed by Ned Pedersen, a singer-musician from Texas. The song is based on the popular German legend of Lorelei, a beautiful young woman who threw herself into the River Rhine in despair over a faithless lover. She was then transformed into a siren whose haunting music lured fishermen and sailors to their destruction. Pedersen has kindly shared this recording under an Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Creative Commons Licence. (5.7 MiB, MP3, 4:11 minutes)1 file(s) 164 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-27Jonah and the Whale by Louis Armstrong (song in MP3)Jazz immortal Louis Armstrong (1901 – 1971) performs 'Jonah and the Whale' with the Decca Mixed Chorus. They are accompanied by two pianos, guitar, string bass, and drums.The song is based on the biblical story of the prophet Jonah and was composed by Robert MacGimsey. The performance was recorded in 1938 with composer/conductor Lynn Murray directing. This is a remaster of the original recording. (4.6 MiB, MP3, 2:4o minutes)1 file(s) 193 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-28Anchors Aweigh (ringtone for iPhones)This naval ringtone will grab your attention and that of your friends and colleagues. It features the intro to 'Anchors Aweigh' performed by Phil Spitalny (1890 – 1970), a Ukrainian-American musician, composer, and bandleader. (490.6 KiB, m4r, 30 seconds) CLICK HERE to download the MP3 version for Android phones.1 file(s) 80 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-27Anchors Aweigh (ringtone for Android phones, MP3)This naval ringtone will grab your attention and that of your friends and colleagues. It features the intro to 'Anchors Aweigh' performed by Phil Spitalny (1890 – 1970), a Ukrainian-American musician, composer, and bandleader. (253 KiB, MP3, 30 seconds) CLICK HERE to download the iPhone version of this ringtone.1 file(s) 396 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-07-02Anchors Aweigh by Phil Spitalny (remastered 1930 recording, MP3)'Anchors Aweigh' is the unofficial theme song of the United States Navy. It was composed in 1906 by Charles A. Zimmermann, an American composer of marches and popular music. The lyrics were written by American songwriter Alfred Hart Miles This remaster of a 1930 recording features the music of Phil Spitalny (1890 – 1970), a Ukrainian-American musician, composer, and bandleader. (1.2 MiB, MP3, 2:33 minutes)
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2021-05-23Sailormen by John Charles Thomas (vintage song in MP3)'Sailormen' is a song from the 1930s about the hard life at sea. But it is light and entertaining, and the ending will make the listener smile. The singer is American baritone John Charles Thomas (1891 – 1960,) accompanied at the piano by American classical pianist Carroll Hollister. The words were written by Herb Roth with Jacques Wolfe as composer. This recording was digitised and restored from the 1934 vinyl record. (3.1 MiB, MP3, 2:48 minutes)1 file(s) 130 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-22Port of Many Ships (song version of a John Masefield poem, MP3)This is a splendid musical version of 'Port of Many Ships', a poem written by British Poet Laureate John Masefield (1878.– 1967). It was recorded in 1928 by American baritone concert singer Keith Falkner with a symphony orchestra. The recording is courtesy of the Internet Archive. Masefield's 'Port of Many Ships' is included in his 'Salt-Water Poems and Ballads'. CLICK HERE to download the book. (1.5 MiB, MP3. 1:55 minutes) See also 'Trade Winds', another John Masefield poem sung by Keith Falkner.1 file(s) 133 downloadsCategory: Literary Works, Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-21Trade Winds by Keith Falkner (song version of John Masefield’s poem in MP3)English opera singer Sir Donald Keith Falkner (1900 –1994) delivers the goods in this 1928 recording of John Masefield's poem 'Trade Winds'. Falkner had an "extensive, warmly resonant bass-baritone voice and superb diction," the British newspaper The Independent noted in its 1994 obituary of the man. This recording is courtesy of the Internet Archive. For the full text of the poem 'Trade Winds', click here. (2.0 MiB, MP3, 2:37 minutes)1 file(s) 122 downloadsCategory: Literary Works, Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-22South Australia by Roger McGuinn (sea shanty in MP3)'South Australia' is a capstan shanty sung by the wool traders (and later the wheat traders) who worked the clipper ships between Australian ports and London. The performer is American musician Roger McGuinn, who says about 'South Australia': "This is well known as a farewell song, sung at the docks as the big ships were leaving. The men grew a sentimental attachment to the song and were even known to request a rousing chorus on their death beds, so that they could die happy." This recording is provided by McGuinn under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States licence |
2021-05-19The Shanty Book by Richard Runciman Terry (Parts I and II in one PDF file)'The Shanty Book' by Sir Richard Runciman Terry is a classic in the literature of sea shanties. A noted English organist, choirmaster and music scholar, Terry collected and annotated a total of 65 shanties for this Curwen Edition published in two volumes in 1926. The collection includes pianoforte accompaniments and interesting notes on the origins of the songs and their use at sea. Parts I and II of 'The Shanty Book' are courtesy of the UR Resarch at the University of Rochester in New York. For the reader's convenience, Marine Café Blog has merged them into a single PDF file. (11.7 MiB, PDF, 157 pages)1 file(s) 134 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-16Bold Riley by Hazel Askew (traditional song in MP3)'Bold Riley' is sung by London singer-musician Hazel Askew with such sweet tenderness that you'll want to hear it more than once. The song is about a woman having to cope with the pain of being separated from her sailor-husband. This recording is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society and made available on Marine Café Blog for your private non-commerical use..The Society has published a pamphlet that provides the lyrics and additional information for 'Bold Riley' and the related song 'Adieu, sweet lovely Nancy'. Click here to download it. (4.5 MiB, MP3, 3:17 minutes)1 file(s) 111 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-18A Sailor’s Life: Long Distance Love (pamphlet)This pamphlet from the English Folk Dance and Song Society spotlights long distance love involving the sailors of yore with focus on two traditional songs -- 'Adieu, sweet lovely Nancy' and 'Bold Riley'. An excerpt: "For the wives of low ranking sailors, they lived difficult lives at home in Britain. The sailors were only paid once their ship returned to Britain. Therefore, the wives and children often had to find work to earn money for food and shelter. Sometimes the wives and children would even resort to begging in the streets" The English Folk Dance and Song Society has allowed the copying of this copyrighted material for non-commercial educational purposes. (736 KiB, PDF, 11 pages)1 file(s) 27 downloadsCategory: Maritime History and Culture, Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-15‘Leis a Lurrighan’ by Ceili Moss (traditional Scottish sea song in MP3)This version of 'Leis a Lurrighan' is by Ceili Moss, a Belgian band who describe their music as "acoustic folk-rock with guts and melodies, with a Northern European edge, not afraid of colouring a bit outside of the lines" The song is about a frightful voyage by sailors on a stormy sea at night. The title translates to "with the Lurrighan" (presumably the name of the ship). Click here for the lyrics. This recording is made available by Ceili Moss under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) licence. (5.4 MiB, MP3, 2:47 minutes)1 file(s) 115 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-06-06Shenandoah by Harry Belafonte (remastered)Harry Belafonte's version of the classic American ballad 'Shenandoah' is poignant and absolutely beautiful. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of Belafonte's 1957 recording. CLICK HERE to learn the origin and colourful history of the song. (4.6 MiB, MP3, 3:40 minutes)1 file(s) 177 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-07-03Lighthouse (pop and country song in MP3)'Lighthouse' has a vigorous tempo and an interesting narrative told from the point of view of a lighthouse. The song was written by American singer-songwriter Jim Lowe (1923 – 2016). It was performed and recorded in 1953 by American pop and country singer Rusty Draper (1923 – 2003) with the Jack Halloran Singers. The original 78rpm record was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle/Austin Foundation.(3.9 MiB, MP3, 2:48 minutes)1 file(s) 100 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-04-29Leaving of Liverpool by Roger McGuinn (traditional folk song in MP3)American singer-musician Roger McGuinn does a sweet version of 'Leaving of Liverpool'. The song is about a sailor bidding farewell to a woman and expressing his hope that they would soon be reunited. This recording is part of McGuinn's Folk Den project and is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-04-27Young Susan (traditional English folk song in MP3)'Young Susan' is about a young woman who dresses up as a man to join the crew of a British man-of-war. It was taboo then for women to join the navy or even board a naval ship. The belief was that their presence would create mischief and disorder on board. The song has an interesting narrative and is performed by Hazel Askew, a singer, musician and composer from London. It is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. (4.1MiB,MP3, 2:58 minutes)1 file(s) 329 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-04-29Rio Grande by Mordy Bauman with instrumental accompaniment (shanty in MP3)This wonderful version of the outward-bound shanty 'Rio Grande' (also known as 'Away Rio') was performed by American baritone Mordy Bauman (1912–2007). The original 78rpm record was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle/Austin Foundation. Note that the song refers to the Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, not the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico. (4.8 MiB, MP3, 3:03 minutes)1 file(s) 177 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-04-14A-Roving & Drunken Sailor by Mordy Bauman (back to back shanties in MP3)These back to back shanties by American baritone Mordy Bauman (1912–2007) are full of exuberance. 'A-roving' is about a sailor's escapade in Amsterdam's redlight district. It is followed by the equally bouncy 'Drunken Sailor'. The original 78rpm record containing the two songs was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle/Austin Foundation. (4.8 MiB, MP3, 2:53 minutes)1 file(s) 241 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-04-10Drunken Sailor by Flatbed (live performance, MP3)This version of the well-known shanty 'Drunken Sailor' has the energy and ambience of a live tavern performance. It was performed by the American musical band Flatbed in June 2011 at the Sportsmen's Tavern in Buffalo, New York. The audio file is courtesy of the Internet Archive. (5.3 MiB, MP3, 3:47 minutes) CLICK HERE to see other versions of 'Drunken Sailor'.1 file(s) 110 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-11-25Wellerman by Nathan Evans, for iPhonesThe popular whaling song 'Wellerman' by Nathan Evans is widely available in MP3 format. Marine Café Blog has converted it for the use of iPhone owners. (2.4 MiB, M4A, 2:33 minutes)1 file(s) 133 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-03-25Wellerman by Nathan Evans (whaling song in MP3)'Wellerman' is a New Zealand whaling song dating back to the 1830s. It is a folk song, not a sea shanty as some have erroneously categorised it. The "wellerman" in the title refers to the boat/skipper that brought supplies to the shore whaling stations in New Zealand in the 1830s and 40s. The performer is Nathan Evans, a Scottish singer (born 1994) known for singing and popularising sea shanties. This audio file is from the Internet Archive. (5.9 MiB, MP3, 2;34 minutes)
Check out this informative article!: The Wellerman song: Putting the lyrics in context
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2021-03-17Whiskey Johnny by Mordy Bauman (shanty, baritone with instrumental accompaniment)This version of the popular shanty 'Whiskey Johnny' has a bouncy tune and very funny lyrics. The song was perforned by American baritone Mordy Bauman (1912–2007) with instrumental accompaniment. It is part of a collection called 'Songs of American Sailormen'. The original 78rpm record was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle/Austin Foundation. Another version of 'Whiskey Johnny' is available here.1 file(s) 124 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-03-16Home Dearie Home (song of a homesick sailor, MP3)'Home Dearie Home' is an old ballad in which the narrator, a sailor, longs to be back home (Boston, Massachusetts, in this version). The song was perforned by American baritone Mordy Bauman (1912–2007), part of a collection called 'Songs of American Sailormen'. The original 78rpm record was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle/Austin Foundation. (3.8 MiB, MP3, 2:05 minutes) See also the homeward-bound shanty,'Rolling Home'.1 file(s) 125 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-12-17The Constitution and Guerrière by Mordy Bauman (remastered, traditional song in MP3)'The Constitution and Guerriere' is a patriotic song about the victory of the U.S.S. Constitution against the British H.M.S. Guerrière in the War of 1812. This version is by the American baritone, Mordy Bauman (1912–2007). The recording from the Internet Archive was remastered by Marine Café Blog to play at 320kbps. (6.9 MiB, MP3, 3:05 minutes). Click here to learn more about the song and the battle between the Constitution and the Guerrière.1 file(s) 137 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-03-11Song of the Seagull by Howard M. Branson (song in MP3)'Song of the Seagull' is from the 2004 album of Howard M. Branson, an English singer-musician who was born in 1959 in the seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire. The singer identifies with the roving spirit of the seagull. His thoughts turn to his own self-searching and his hometown: "But there must be a reason a seagull never settles down,/ perhaps he wonders if he's seen the last of this old town/ like I do/ I'm wondering too." This song is provided by Jamendo Music under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) licence. (3.2 MiB, MP3, 2:43 minutes)1 file(s) 140 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-02-28Greenland Whale Fisheries by Three Jolly Rogues (sea song in MP3)'Greenland Whale Fisheries' is an old whaling song that dates back to at least the 18th century (click here to learn more about the song). This version is a one-off recording in 1963 of three American musican friends: Ginny Dildine, Ann Hurt, Howie Mitchell (the 'Three Jolly Rogues'). It is courtesy of the Free Music Archive and comes with a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States licence.. (3.3 MiB, MP3, 4:05 minutes)1 file(s) 121 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-02-24To the Lighthouse by Memoryhouse (song in MP3)'To the Lighthouse' is by Memoryhouse, the Guleph, Ontario-based duo of photogapher Denise Nouvion (vocals) and neo-classical composer Evan Abeele (instruments / production). Released as a single in 2009, the song is representative of experimental pop and shoegaze (sometimes called 'dream pop'). Memoryhouse has made it available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) licence |
2022-09-29The Fish in the Sea by Three Jolly Rogues (fishermen’s song in MP3)'The Fish in the Sea' is a traditional fishermen's song that celebrates the bounty of the sea and the joy of fishing. There are various lyrics and arrangements of the song, which has also been documented as a sea shanty. This version is a one-off recording in 1963 of three American musican friends: Ginny Dildine, Ann Hurt, Howie Mitchell (the 'Three Jolly Rogues'). It is courtesy of the Free Music Archive and comes with a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States licence.(2.5 MiB, MP3, 3:11 minutes) Click here for more about 'The Fish in the Sea'1 file(s) 265 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-02-13The Bold Fisherman by Allister Thompson (English folk song in MP3)The Bold Fisherman is a traditional English folk song that tells a charming love story involving a young woman and a fisherman. Click here for the complete lyrics and some intersting background info. It is performed by Allister Thompson, a Canadian guitarist and songwriter. The recording is covered by a Creative Commons |
2021-02-05Blow the Man Down by Leonard Warren with orchestra & chorus (shanty in MP3)'Blow the Man Down' remains one of the most popular shanties. This rousing version was recorded in 1949 by American baritone Leonard Warren (1911 – 1960) with orchestra and chorus. The original 78rpm record was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle/Austin Foundation. (3.0 M, MP3, 2:16 minutes) What does the expression 'blow the man down' mean? Click here for some answers.1 file(s) 170 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-02-02The Coast of High Barbary by Pete Seeger and trio (ballad in MP3)The Coast of High Barbary is a traditional song popular among British and American sailors of yore. This version is by American folk singer Pete Seeger (1919–2014) and trio, accompanied by a five-string banjo and guitar. It was included in a 1941 album which was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle-Austin Foundation. (3.1 MiB, MP3, 2:29 minutes) .Click here for the complete lyrics of the song as it was sung by English mariners.1 file(s) 167 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-01-31A Long Time Ago (aka ‘Noah’s Ark’) by Roger McGuinn (shanty in MP3)A Long Time Ago is a halyard shanty that gives the story of Noah's ark a humourous twist. The lead singer is American musician Roger McGuinn, who has made this shanty available as part of his Folk Den project. The song is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2021-01-30Drunken Sailor (piano version, ringtone in MP3)Your beloved mobile phone deserves a special ringtone. This is an abbreviated piano version of the highly popular sea shanty, Drunken Sailor. (548.6 KiB, MP3, 23 seconds)1 file(s) 305 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-01-26Song of the Volga Boatmen (orchestra with male chorus, restored, MP3)The Song of the Volga Boatmen is a well-known Russian traditional song. It was originally sung by burlaks, men who pulled barges against the current on the Volga River during the time of the Russian Empire. This version was restored from a 1926 vinyl record featuring the Brunswick Concert Orchestra with a male chorus. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 3:12 minutes)Read the Marine Café Blog review of this famous song: 'The Song of the Volga Boatmen: Hail to the human spirit'. 1 file(s) 162 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-01-24Blow the Man Down by Mordy Bauman (sea shanty in MP3)This is one of many variations of the 19th-century sea shanty, 'Blow the Man Down'. Performing is American baritone Mordy Bauman (1912–2007). The original 78rpm record from 1948 was digitised for the Internet Archive by the California-based Kahle/Austin Foundation. (3.7 MiB, MP3, 3 minutes) See also 'Blow the Man Down' by Woody Guthrie, the legendary American folk singer.1 file(s) 381 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-15Song of the Volga Boatmen by Feodor Chaliapin (traditional Russian song, MP3)Russian opera singer Feodor Chaliapin (1873–1938) is credited with making the 'Song of the Volga Boatmen' ('Eh, Ukhnem' or 'Yo, Heave Ho!') famous throughout the world. His powerful and expressive basso profundo voice shines through in this early 20th century recording. (5.2 MiB, MP3, 3:15 minutes) Click here to find out more about Feodor Chaliapin's life and musical career.1 file(s) 217 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-01-12Pushboat by Roger McGuinn (traditional ballad in MP3)Working with boats is no picnic as the lyrics of 'Pushboat' suggest. Performing the ballad is American folk singer Roger McGuinn, who writes: "This Mississippi River song speaks of the hard life spent by the boatmen who piloted pushboats. These narrow craft traveled downstream, being steered by a long pole, pushed against the bank. This was a very labor intensive occupation. There were long hours of slow going, and songs like this made the time seem to pass a little more quickly." The recording has been provided by McGuinn under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States licence |
2023-06-10The Banana Boat Song (Day-o) by Sarah Vaughan (Jamaican dock workers’ song, MP3)'The Banana Boat Song' (Day-o) features the charming vocals of Sarah Vaughan (1924–1990), an American jazz singer who won four Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. The song was written by Alan Arkin, Bob Carey and Erik Darling and is an adaptation of the traditional Jamaican song made popular by Harry Belafonte. This is a Marine Café Blog remaster of Vaughan's 1956 recording. (3.1 MiB, MP3, 2:19 minutes)1 file(s) 299 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-01-08What Will We Do with a Drunken Sailor by the Irish Rovers (ringtone in MP3)A bouncy ringtone for your beloved smartphone! This is a cut from the popular Irish Rovers version of 'What Will We Do with a Drunken Sailor' or 'Drunken Sailor' for short. (374.8 KiB, MP3, 17 seconds)1 file(s) 285 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-01-06Henry Martyn by Burl Ives (sea ballad in MP3)'Henry Martyn' (also spelled 'Henry Martin") is a traditional ballad about a Scottish lad who becomes a pirate to support himself and his two elder brothers. This haunting version was performed by American singer Burl Ives (1909–1995), part of his 1944 album 'The Wayfaring Stranger'. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0). (3.2 MiB, MP3, 3:03 minutes) Cick here for the complete lyrics and some historical notes about 'Henry Martyn'. See also 'Henry Martin' by Howie Mitchell.1 file(s) 123 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-06-08The Flying Dutchman (orchestra with male chorus)'The Flying Dutchman' is about the legendary phantom ship doomed to sail forever, its appearance to seamen said to portend imminent disaster. This 1950 recording features Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra with male chrous. It was remastered by Marine Café Blog. (4 MiB, MP3, 2:56 minutes) Click here to read some legends surrounding the Flying Dutchman.1 file(s) 218 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-01-05Leave Her, Johnny by Hazel Askew (shanty in MP3)'Leave Her, Johnny' was traditionally sung when the ship was docked and the crew looked forward to leaving her after their last voyage. It speaks of the hardships of seafaring: "Oh the work was hard and the voyage was long,/ The sea was high and the gales were strong./ The food was bad and the ship was slow,/ But now ashore again we'll go." Performing is Hazel Askew, a London-based singer, musician and composer. The recording is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society and is published by Marine Café Blog for your personal, non-commercial use. (5.9 MiB, MP3, 4:18 minutes)1 file(s) 232 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-12-31Deep Blue Sea by Roger McGuinn (ballad in MP3)American folk singer-musician Roger McGuinn does a beautiful and poigant version of 'Deep Blue Sea'. He notes about the song's lyrcs: "These lyrics can be found in many traditional songs. They may be from an old English ballad. The tune suggests West Indian origin. In any case it’s a woman who has lost her loved one to the sea and hopes he will return." This recording is courtesy of McGuinn and is published by Marine Café Blog under his Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2020-12-30Auld Lang Syne by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band (traditional song in MP3)Sing along to 'Auld Lang Syne' wonderfully performed by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band. Although 'Auld Lang Syne' is not a nautical song, seafarers can sing this tradiional Scottish ballad on New Year's Eve or any special occasion as a toast to old friends and shipmates. (1004.1 KiB, MP3, 1:04 minutes) See also 'Auld Lang Syne' by American folk singer-musician Roger McGuinn.1 file(s) 177 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-12-30Talcahuano Gals by Roger McGuinn (alternative version of ‘Spanish Ladies’, MP3)'Talcahuano Gals' is an alternative version by American folk singer and musician Roger McGuinn of the English sea shanty 'Spanish Ladies'. Talcahuano is a port city in Chile. McGuinn has made the song available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States Licence |
2020-12-23Auld Lang Syne by Roger McGuinn (Scottish song in MP3)'Auld Lang Syne' ("old long since" in standard English) is not a nautical song but it is one that seafarers would love. It is a traditional Scottish song that is usually sung to toast old friends and bid farewell to the old year at midnight of New Year's Eve. The lyrics also make reference to the sea. This version is by Roger McGuinn, an American folk singer and the man behind the Folk Den Project.It has been made available by McGuinn under a Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US. |
2020-12-20Rolling Home by Pinniped (folk song in MP3)'Rolling Home' by Pinniped is a folk song version of the popular homeward-bound shanty. Pinniped is a folk music trio made up of Erik Correia (guitar, vocals), Sarah Kellington (violin, vocals), and Bill Kellington (bodhran, guitar, voice). They play traditional Celtic inspired music. This song is from the Free Music Archive and comes with an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence |
2020-12-19Deep Blue Sea by Howie Mitchell w/ Jean Ritchie (folk song in MP3)'Deep Blue Sea' is a sad but beautiful song that somehow calms the spirit. It was performed by American folk singer Howie Mitchell backed up by Jean Ritchie, who recorded it in 1956. Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence |
2021-12-19I Saw Three Ships by Roger McGuinn (a Christmas song in MP3)'I Saw Three Ships' is a traditional English Christmas carol that uses the "three ships" as a metaphor. Performing is Roger McGuinn, an American singer who was the frontman for the musical band The Byrds. The song is courtesy of McGuinn's Folk Den Project and is published by Marine Café Blog under a Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US. |
2023-07-13Island in the Sun by Harry Belafonte (song in MP3)"Island in the Sun" is a celebration of the simple life on a tropical isle. The song was written by Harry Belafonte and Irving Burgie (Lord Burgess) and performed by Belafonte for the 1957 film 'Island in the Sun' in which he appeared. This audio is from a 1957 television performance by Belafonte. (1.6 MiB, MP3, 1:39 minutes)
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2020-12-16Drunken Sailor (shanty, choral rendition, MP3)An awesome version of the popular shanty 'Drunken Sailor' by The Roger Wagner Chorale. Founded in 1946, the Chorale was one of the first professional choral ensembles in the United States. This song was included in the group's 1955 album 'Folk Songs Of The New World' and is courtesy of the Internet Archive. (2.1 MiB, MP3, 1:40 minutes)1 file(s) 122 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-12-15Haul Away Joe (ringtone in MP3 for Android phones)Pep up your smartphone with 'Haul Away Joe'. This fun ringtone is a cut from the sea shanty popular with British sailors in the 18th century and later with American seamen. (185.1 KiB, MP3, 17 seconds)1 file(s) 118 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-12-09Haul Away Joe by Howie Mitchell (sea shanty, MP3)This charming version of the popular shanty 'Haul Away Joe' is by American folk singer Howie Mitchell. Recorded in 1956 by fellow folk singer Jean Ritchie, the song is courtesy of Mr. Mitchell and comes with an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence |
2020-12-04Henry Martin by Howie Mitchell (traditional Scottish folk song, MP3)'Henry Martin' is about Henry Martin, the youngest of three brothers who becomes a pirate to support his siblings. Howard Mitchell's version was recorded by fellow American folk singer Jean Ritchie in 1956. It is published by Marine Café Blog under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence |
2020-12-02Drunken Sailor by the Blaggards (Celtic rock version, MP3)This rock version of the popular shanty 'Drunken Sailor' was performed live by the four-man band Blaggards at Southern Star Brewery "Loading Dock" on 28th March 2015 in Conroe, Texas. The live recording is courtesy of the Blaggards via the Internet Archive. Visit the official Blaggards website to find out more about this Celtic rock band. (5.3 MiB, MP3, 3:43 minutes)1 file(s) 193 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-26Sails by Forget the Whale (song in MP3)'Sails' is a wonderful song with elements of pop rock, blues and alternative music. Performing is the American pop rock band, Forget the Whale. This song is provided by this talented group of musicians under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) licence (16 MiB, MP3, 6:39 minutes)1 file(s) 144 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-19Song of the Volga Boatmen (orchestral music, MP3)'Song of the Volga Boatmen' is a well-known traditional Russian song. It was originally sung by burlaks (barge haulers) on the Volga River, the longest river in Europe. This version by an unidentified orchestra is part of a collection of classical tracks recorded by American composer and musician Kevin MacLeod under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) licence. (2.2 MiB, MP3, 1 minute) NOTE: The audio file was remastered by Marine Café Blog to play at a higher quality 320 kbps.1 file(s) 391 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-20Adieu, Sweet Lovely Nancy (traditional song in MP3)'Adieu, Sweet Lovely Nancy' is a traditional English song featuring the beautiful voice of Hazel Askew,a London-based singer, musician and workshop leader. It is sung from the point of a sailor who bids farewell to his beloved Nancy before going to sea. Although it references the navy and war, the song should appeal to all seafarers. The audio file is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society and published in Marine Café Blog to be used for non-commercial purposes only. (3.9 MiB, MP3, 2:51 minutes)1 file(s) 205 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-17Yeave Ho by Roots Acappella (shanty in MP3)Enjoy this beautiful version of the pulling shanty, 'Yeave Ho', by Roots Acapella, a youth choir from Devon, England. The audio file is courtesy of the London-based English Folk Dance & Song Society. (1.0 MiB, MP3, 1:06 minutes)1 file(s) 130 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-20Pirates of the Coast by The Black Bones (song in MP3)A wonderful song for all pirate fans. 'Pirates of the Coast' by The Black Bones is courtesy of Freemusicarchive.org and published on the Marine Café Blog website under an Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.. |
2021-06-20Drink Up Me Mateys by The Black Bones (pirate song in MP3)'Drink Up Me Mateys' by The Black Bones is a heady song celebrating the pirate's life of adventure and danger. It is courtesy of Freemusicarchive.org and distributed by Marine Café Blog under an Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License . |
2020-11-12Sailor Song by the Peerless Quartet (vintage song in MP3)'Sailor Song' was recorded in 1915 by The Peerless Quartet, an American vocal group that recorded in the early years of the 20th century. The audio file comes from the Freemusicarchive.org under a Public Domain / Sound Recording Common Law Protection License |
2021-06-29Bring Back My Bonnie to Me (traditional folk song in MP3)This vintage version of 'Bring Back My Bonnie to Me' (alternate title, 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean') features the complete lyrics of the traditional Scottish folk song. Recorded in 1906, it was peformed by the orchestra-backed Haydn Quartet, one of the most popular quartets in the early part of the 20th century. (5.4 MiB, MP3, 2:20 minutes)1 file(s) 857 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-11Captain Blood by The Black Bones (buccaneer sailing song in MP3)'Captain Blood' is an exuberant pirate song by The Black Bones music band, part of their 2010 album, Pirates of the Coast. This recording was made available by The Black Bones under an Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.. |
2020-11-07Drunken Sailor (acoustic version) by the Rijsel Irish Boy’Z (sea shanty in MP3)This version of 'Drunken Sailor' may well be playing at a rock concert or a drinking party. The audio file is courtesy of American archivist Jason Scott on Archive.org and licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) licence. (4 MiB, MP3, 3:59 minutes)1 file(s) 331 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-03-12Seagull by The Mind Orchestra (a New Age song in MP3)'Seagull' is a New Age song from The Mind Orchestra, whose music is designed to inspire and heal. This audio file is from Freemusicarchive.org. It is licensed under a Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) licence |
2020-11-07The Pirate Song by David Rovics (pop song in MP3)'The Pirate Song' is a jolly tune by David Rovics (b. 1967), an American songwriter, blogger and podcaster. It is courtesy of Freemusicarchive.org and licensed under an Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States licence. (4 MiB, MP3, 1:50 minutes)1 file(s) 130 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Heave Away by Roger McGuinn (sea shanty in MP3)This version of 'Heave Away' is by Roger Mcguinn, an American folk singer and former frontman of the rock music band The Byrds. Licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States.
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2021-05-27Drunken Sailor (iPhone ringtone, instrumental)A merry ringtone for your iPhone! This is the instrumental intro to the very popular sea shanty, 'Drunken Sailor'. (258.7 KiB, M4R, 16 seconds) See also the rock-style ringtone of 'Drunken Sailor' for iPhones (CLICK HERE)1 file(s) 29 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Away, Rio (sea shanty recorded in 1939)'Away, Rio' (also known as 'Rio Grande') is an outward-bound shanty sung by sailors at the capstan or windlass whilst lifting anchor. This 1939 recording has a certain raw charm and features the unaccompanied vocals of Captain Leighton Robinson, Alex Barr, Arthur Brodeur, and Leighton McKenzie. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress, W.P.A. California Folk Music Project collection. (3.0 MiB, MP3, 4 minutes) CLICK HERE for a contemporary version of 'Away Rio' by Roger McGuinn.1 file(s) 197 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-08-02Island in the Sun (Harry Belafonte – MP3 ringtone)This charming ringtone features the opening stanza of 'Island in the Sun', which Jamaican-American singer and songwriter Harry Belafonte performed for the 1957 film Island in the Sun. The song talks about the simple life on a Caribbean island. It was co-written by Belafonte with American songwriter-musician Irving Burgie. (706 KiB, MP3, 26 seconds)1 file(s) 278 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Her Sweet Sailor Boy (old American folk song in MP3)'Her Sweet Sailor Boy' tells the poignant story of a woman who dies for love after learning that her sweetheart has perished at sea. The song is said to have been sung by the early settlers in California. This 1938 recording is part of 'California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties Collected by Sidney Robertson Cowell' of the Library of Congress. (728.1 KiB, MP3, 1:33 minutes)1 file(s) 153 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Sally Brown (sea shanty in MP3)'Sally Brown' is a capstan shanty with varying lyrics. This version was recorded in 1939 and forms part of the Library of Congress' W.P.A. California Folk Music Project collection. It features the unaccompanied vocals of Alex Barr, Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur, Leighton McKenzie, and Leighton Robinson. (6.6 MiB, MP3, 2:53 minutes) The Sally Brown in the song title is a Creole lady (woman from the Caribbean of mixed European and black descent). An interesting note on the song can be found here.1 file(s) 156 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07The Mermaid (a comic sea song in MP3)'The Mermaid' (also known as 'Down in the Diving Bell') is about a young sailor who falls in love with a mermaid and marries her. This 1938 recording features the unaccompanied vocals of Warde H. Ford. It is courtesy of the Library of Congress, W.P.A. California Folk Music Project collection. (1.6 MiB, MP3, 2:01 minutes) For more about mermaids in music, click here.1 file(s) 166 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-26Banana Boat (Day-o) by Harry Belafonte (for iPhones)This is a digitised verion of Belafonte's original recording of 'Banana Boat (Day-o)', a traditional Jamaican song. It has been converted for use on iPhones (3.1 MiB, M4R, 3:01 minutes)1 file(s) 109 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-07-07The Old Skipper (remastered)'The Old Skipper' was sung and recorded in 1937 by Captain Pearl R. Nye. who was born in 1872 and raised on a canal boat on the Ohio and Erie Canal. The singing is laid-back and the narrative, colourful and charming. This field recording is from the US Library of Congress with some remastering done by Marine Café Blog. (7.5 MiB, MP3, 4:19 minutes) See also Captain Nye's 'In a Storm at Sea'.1 file(s) 521 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Drunken Sailor (ringtone in MP3, chorus)Liven up your smartphone with this ringtone. It is a cut from the popular sea shanty 'Drunken Sailor' performed by the 80-member Midshipmen Glee Club of the U.S. Naval Academy. (436.4 KiB, MP3, 18 seconds)1 file(s) 285 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-12-23In a Storm at Sea (old folk song in MP3)'In a Storm at Sea" is a charming song about the importance of having faith. A ship is battered by a storm, and everyone on board fears for the worst except the captain's little daughter. She reminds her father that one must believe in God's benevolence at sea as well as on land. The weather eventually clears up the next day,, and the ship and its crew find safety in a harbour. This song was recorded in 1937 by Captain Pearl R. Nye (1872-1950). It is courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress, for which Captain Nye transcribed the lyrics of hundreds of songs. (1.8 MiB, MP3, 1:07 minutes) See 'Sea of Faith: Prayers for Mariners' by Barista Uno (free illustrated pamphlet of prayers).1 file(s) 296 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Leaving of Liverpool (traditional folk song in MP3)'(The) Leaving of Liverpool' is a traditional folk song about a 19th-century mariner bidding farewell to his beloved before he sails from the town of Liverpool, England, to Californa, USA. It is also known as 'Fare Thee Well, My Own True Love', This lively version is courtesy of the Maritime Museum of San Diego in California, part of its Gold Rush Sea Chanteys collection. (2.1 MiB, MP3, 2:37 minutes) For more about 'The Leaving of Liverpool', see American folklorist Stephen D. Winick's article. (Click here)1 file(s) 166 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07“Sung With Gusto by the Men”: A Unique Recording of “The Leaving of Liverpool” (article by Stephen D. Winick)American folklorist Stephen D. Winick tracks the history and various recordings of the traditional folk song, 'The Leaving of Liverpool'. His highly informative article appeared in the Summer/Fall 2008 edition of the Folklife Center News, edited by Winick and published by The American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. (1.1 MiB, PDF, 12 pages)1 file(s) 13 downloadsCategory: Maritime History and Culture, Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-27Drunken Sailor (ringtone for iPhones)Enjoy hearing one of the most popular sea shanties every time your iPhone rings. The ringtone is based on a Glamrock Brothers remix in rock style of Drunken Sailor. (457.2 KiB, M4R, 28 seconds)1 file(s) 69 downloadsCategory: Maritime History and Culture, Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-26Blow the Man Down (sea shanty, ringtone in MP3)This jaunty ringtone for Android phones freatures the intro to Blow the Man Down, a popular sea shanty. (319.7 KiB, MP3, 15 seconds) Click here for the iPhone version of this ringtone.1 file(s) 255 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Drunken Sailor (ringtone for smartphones – instrumental)A delightful instrumental ringtone of the very popular shanty, Drunken Sailor, for Android phones. (274.6 KiB, MP3, 16 seconds)1 file(s) 488 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07We’ll Rant and We’ll Roar (traditional folk song in MP3)This is a beatiful version of We'll Rant and We'll Roar, a folk song which is an offshoot of the traditional British naval song 'Spanish Ladies'. The performer is Hazel Askew, a singer, musician and composer from London. The audio file is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. (2.7 MiB, MP3, 1:59 minutes)1 file(s) 213 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-07-11My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean (ringtone for smartphones)Get this sweet ringtone for your Android phone. My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean is a traditional Scottish folk song popular in Western culture. This audio clip features the voice of UK folk singer Carolyn Robson and is courtesy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. (296 KiB, MP3, 31 seconds)1 file(s) 233 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Rio Grande (shanty, ringtone for smartphones)Liven up your smartphone with this zesty ringtone. This is a cut from the popular shanty, Rio Grande, also known by its alternative title 'Away Rio'. (540.1 KiB, MP3, 26 seconds) The full version can be downloaded from here.1 file(s) 163 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Away Rio by Roger McGuinn (shanty in MP3)A beautiful renditon by American musician Roger McGuinn of Away Rio, a capstan or windlass shanty usually sung by sailors for taking in the anchor. This audio file is made available by Marine Café Blog under Mr. McGuinn's Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US. |
2021-05-29Popeye the Sailor (ringtone for iPhones)A fun ringtone for iPhones based on the theme song 'I'm Popeye the Sailor Man' composed by Sammy Lemer in 1933. Popeye has become something of a cultural icon and folk hero for millions of people. Says Encyclopedia Britannica of Popeye: "a pugnacious, wisecracking cartoon sailor who possesses superhuman strength after ingesting an always-handy can of spinach." (460.9 KiB, M4R, 29 seconds)1 file(s) 36 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-29Popeye the Sailor (ringtone for Android phones)A fun ringtone based on the theme song 'I'm Popeye the Sailor Man' composed by Sammy Lemer in 1933. Popeye has become something of a cultural icon and folk hero for millions of people. Says Encyclopedia Britannica of Popeye: "a pugnacious, wisecracking cartoon sailor who possesses superhuman strength after ingesting an always-handy can of spinach." (464.6 KiB, MP3, 29 seconds) Download the iPhone version here.1 file(s) 418 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-01-31Blow the Man Down (sea shanty) by Roger McGuinnThis version of Blow the Man Down by American singer Roger McGuinn should captivate all those who love sea shanties. The audio file is made available by Marine Café Blog under the original Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US. |
2020-11-07Blow the Man Down (sea shanty) by Woody GuthrieEnjoy this popular halyard shanty performed by the legendary American folk singer, Woody Guthrie (1912 – 1967), together with a trio. It was originally recorded in 1941. Click here to learn more about 'Blow the Man Down' and its origins. (2.5 MiB, MP3, 2:42 minutes)1 file(s) 392 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-06-28Banana Boat (Day-o) by Harry Belafonte (iPhone ringtone)This ringtone for iPhones features Harry Belfonte's classic Banana Boat (Day-o) -- a traditional Jamaican song about dock workers who load bananas at night and wait for daylight to come so the Tallyman can take inventory and they can go home. It's delightful and refreshing to hear every time your phone rings. (249.8 KiB, M4R, 31 seconds)1 file(s) 112 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-09-05Banana Boat (Day-o) by Harry Belafonte: ringtone-1 (for Android phones)This ringtone of Harry Belfonte singing his classic Banana Boat (Day-o) will surely delight you and others every time your phone rings. (668.6 KiB, MP3, 27 seconds) See also Belafonte's original recording of Banana Boat (Day-o) in MP3.1 file(s) 3035 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-05-26Drunken Sailor (ringtone for Android phones)Enjoy hearing one of the most popular sea shanties every time your smartphone rings. The ringtone is based on a Glamrock Brothers remix in rock style of Drunken Sailor. (1.1 MiB, MP3, 28 seconds)1 file(s) 1117 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Singing Histories – PlymouthSinging Histories - Plymouth is an illustrated booklet featuring 10 songs, mostly with a sea theme, which are part of the history and culture of the English port city of Plymouth. It contains the lyrics and a brief note for each of the songs. This is part of the Singing Histories project of Sing London, the arts organisation whose mission is to unite the nation in song. (1.3 MiB , PDF, 15 pages)1 file(s) 17 downloadsCategory: Maritime History and Culture, Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Hanging Johnny (shanty in MP3)Hanging Johnny is a popular halyard shanty said to have been sung by sailors on Great Lakes vessels. This is a digitised version of the 1939 recording from the US Library of Congress featuring the unaccompanied vocals of Leighton Robinson, Alex Barr, Arthur Brodeur, and Leighton McKenzie. An interesting article about the song and its intriguing title can be found here. (4.9 MiB, MP3, 2:08 minutes)1 file(s) 170 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07The Sailor’s Alphabet (sea song in MP3)The Sailor's Alphabet is a delightful song from the Age of Sail. It was sung by sailors when they were relaxing in the forecastle or on shore. This is a digitised version of the original 1939 recording by Alex Barr, Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur, Leighton McKenzie and Leighton Robinson. (11.4 MiB, MP3, 4:59 minutes)1 file(s) 190 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Drunken Sailor by Midshipmen Glee Club, USNA (sea shanty in MP3)Listen to the popular Drunken Sailor performed robustly by the 80-member Midshipmen Glee Club of the U.S. Naval Academy. This shanty was part of the album 'Anchors Aweigh! Songs of the U.S. Navy' released in 1977. (4 MiB, MP3, 2:42 minutes)1 file(s) 265 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2021-10-19Shenandoah by Roger McGuinn (traditional folk song in MP3)This beloved American folk song is sung by Roger Mcguinn of the popular Folk Den Project. Shenandoah dates back to at least the early 19th century. American folklorist Alan Lomax suggested that it was a sea-shanty that originated with French-Canadian voyageurs. The US Library of Congress notes: "As unclear as is the song’s origin, so is the definitive interpretation of its text. Some believe that the song refers to the river of the same name. Others suggest that it is of Native American origin, for it tells the tale of Sally, the daughter of the Indian Chief Shenandoah, who is courted for seven years by a white Missouri river trader. Regardless of these textual discrepancies, 'Shenandoah' remains an American classic." This song is published here under Mr. McGuinn's Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US. |
2020-11-07Goodby, fare you well, or Homeward bound (shanty in MP3)This is a digitised version of the original 1939 recording of Goodby, fare you well (or Homeward bound), a capstan shanty that ends with the triumphant cry "Vast heavin!". It features the unaccompanied vocals of Leighton Robinson, Alex Barr, Arthur Brodeur, and Leighton McKenzie. This file is from the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. (3.8 MiB, MP3, 4:50 minutes)1 file(s) 226 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07The Shanty Book Part I: Sailor Shanties (EPUB format for smartphones and tablets)First published in 1921, The Shanty Book Part I: Sailor Shanties is a great read for those who want to increase their understanding and appreciation of shanties (old sailors' work songs). The 30 shanties in this book were collected by Sir Richard Runciman Terry (1865 – 1938), English organist, choir director and music scholar. They are accompanied by sheet music for piano and some interesting notes on each shanty. (1.4 MiB, EPUB)1 file(s) 72 downloadsCategory: Maritime History and Culture, Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Drunken Sailor, The by Leonard Warren (shanty in MP3)Sing along to this popular sea shanty sung by American baritone Leonard Warren (1911 – 1960) with orchestra and chorus. Warren's version of The Drunken Sailor with arrangement by Tom Scott might even make you want to dance.This is a digitised version of the original 78rpm record released in 1949. (4.2 MiB, MP3, 2:42 minutes)1 file(s) 647 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Rio Grande – Sailors Hornpipe (shanty in MP3)Enjoy this bouncy shanty which was sung by British and American sailors of old. Rio Grande - Sailors Hornpipe (also known as 'Away Rio' or 'Rio Grande') is courtesy of the San Diego Maritime Museum in California, part of its Gold Rush Sea Chanteys collection. The title refers to the Rio Grande do Sul, a state in the southernmost part of Brazil. (3.2 MiB, MP3, 3:48 minutes) See also Away Rio by Roger McGuinn.1 file(s) 268 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Erie Canal by Roger McGuinn (a bouncy song in MP3)You will love the bouncy tune of Erie Canal. It tells a comic story about a tragic boat journey down the historic Erie Canal. The latter was built in the 19th century to create a navigable water route from New York City and the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. This song is part of American singer Roger McGuinn's Folk Den project. It being shared by Marine Café Blog under the original Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US. |
2020-11-07The Times are Hard (sea shanty in MP3)Many seafarers will be able identify with the lyrics of The Times are Hard: The times are hard and the wages low/ O leave her Johnnie leave her/ O the times are hard and the wages low/ It's time for us to leave her. This sea shanty is performed by Roots A Capella, a youth choir in Devon, England. The audio file is courtesy of the London-based English Folk Dance & Song Society. (1.6 MiB, MP3, 1:42 minutes)1 file(s) 460 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Day-O (Day Dah Light) by Roger McGuinn (MP3)American musician Roger McGuinn interprets an old Jamaican song which was sung by men as they loaded ships with bananas. This song is part of McGuinn's Folk Den project. It is shared here by Marine Café Blog under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US. |
2020-12-20Rolling Home (shanty in MP3)Rolling Home celebrates the joy of sailors as they sail back to their homeland. Recorded in 1939, this seamen's song was performed by Captain Leighton Robinson, Alex Barr, Arthur Brodeur and Leighton McKenzie. It is part of the W.P.A. California Folk Music Project collection, Library of Congress, USA. (3.5 MiB, MP3, 4:34 minutes)1 file(s) 647 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Johnny (a sea song in MP3)This old song is about a sailor who comes back from sea in the hope of marrying the daughter of a tavern owner. He soon realises that she and the people around her are only after his money. Recorded in 1938, the song was performed by Ward H.Ford. It is part of the Library of Congress W.P.A. California Folk Music Project collection. (1.9 MiB, MP3, 2:35 minutes)1 file(s) 324 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Santy Ano (a lively sea shanty in MP3)Santy Ano (or Santy Anno) is a sea shanty whose origins date back to the mid-19th century. This version is full of zest and vigour. It is from the Gold Rush Sea Chanteys collection of the Maritime Museum of San Diego in California, USA. (3.2 MiB, MP3, 3.14 minutes)1 file(s) 451 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Pay Me My Money Down (shanty in MP3)Pay Me My Money Down is said to have been composed by African-American dock workers and picked up by West Indian sailors and sung as a shanty. More about the song here: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-black-origins-of-song-pay-me-my.html This version, performed by Adriano Adewale and Tim Cansfield in acappella, is courtesy of the London-based English Folk Dance and Song Society. (2.2 MiB, MP3, 2:24 minutes)1 file(s) 270 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Randy Dandy Oh by Roger McGuinn (shanty in MP3)Randy Dandy Oh is a traditional shanty that will make you want to sing along because of its wonderful tempo. This version is by American musician Roger McGuinn and is part of his Folk Den project, It is licensed under a |
2020-11-07Drunken Sailor by Albert Octave (shanty in MP3)An interesting version of the popular shanty Drunken Sailor — the way it is likely to be sung by inebriated sailors. Also known as What Shall We Do with a/the Drunken Sailor?, this song is published in this website under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International |
2020-11-07Strike the Bell (shanty in MP3)The song's title refers to the striking of a ship's bell to mark each half-hour of a four-hour watch (eight bells in all). This charming Age of Sail shanty is courtesy of the Maritime Museum of San Diego in California, USA. It is part of the museum's Voyage of Hope Sea Chanteys collection (File size: 2.0 MiB, MP3, 2:14 mnutes)1 file(s) 366 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2023-06-09Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate (traditional naval song, MP3)'Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate' is a timeless song that was sung by British Royal Navy sailors during the Napoleonic era. This track features the vocals of American folk singer and musician Roger McGuinn. It is published on this website under a Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License |
2020-11-07Haul Away Joe (shanty, MP3)Haul Away Joe was sung by sailors when they pulled on ropes to raise or lower the ship's sails. This sprightly sailors' work song is courtesy of the Maritime Museum of San Diego in California, USA. It is part of the museum's Voyage of Hope Sea Chanteys collection (File size: 1.0 MiB, MP3, 1:46 mnutes)1 file(s) 577 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Homeward Bound / Goodbye Fare Thee Well (shanty in MP3)Homeward Bound, also known as Goodbye Fare Thee Well, is a capstan shanty performed by sailors when lifting anchor at a foreign port to begin their homeward voyage. Other versions of the song may have slightly different lyrics depending on the locale, but the tune has not changed over time. This musical file is courtesy of the Maritime Museum of San Diego in California, USA. It is part of the museum's Voyage of Hope Sea Chanteys collection. (File size: 1.2 MiB, MP3, 2:12 minutes)1 file(s) 441 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2022-09-08Spanish Ladies (an old British naval song, MP3)Yet another version of Spanish Ladies, a traditional British naval song that dates back to the late 1700s. This one is from Roger McGuinn's "The Folk Den Project". (File size: 3.6 MiB, MP3, 3:09 minutes) |
2022-09-05Banana Boat (Day-o) by Harry Belafonte (restored, MP3)'Banana Boat' (Day-o) by American singer Harry Belafonte with Tony Scott's Orchestra and Chorus is a traditional Jamaican song about dock workers loading bananas onto ships at night. Daylight comes, and they look forward to the arrival of the Tallyman, who will take inventory, so they could go home. The recording is from 1956 and was remasterd by Marine Café Blog. (4.4 MiB, MP3, 2:57 minutes) See also the two versions of 'The Banana Boat Song' by Shirley Bassey and by Sarah Vaughan.
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2023-06-10Leave Her, Johnny by Roger McGuinn (shanty, MP3)This popular shanty was sung by sailors at the end of their voyage and the ship was at dock. This recording features the music and vocals of Roger McGuinn, an American folk singer and former frontman of the rock band, The Byrds. He is accompanied by John Sebastian. (File size: 4.9 MiB, MP3, 2:41 duration) |
2020-12-24Whiskey Johnny (sea shanty, MP3)This amusing, down-to-earth shanty was recorded in 1939. It is from the Library of Congress Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, in Washington, DC. The performers were Alex Barr, Arthur Brodeur, Leighton McKenzie and Leighton Robinson. (File size: 1.7 MiB, MP3, 2:17 minutes) DISCLAIMER: Marine Café Blog is not promoting the drinking of alcoholic beverages. It is sharing this sea song as part of the world's maritime heritage.1 file(s) 653 downloadsCategory: Maritime Music & Sea ShantiesDownload |
2020-11-07Great Open Sea (sea shanty, MP3)Enjoy this rousing song performed by New Zealand's Wellington Sea Shanty Society. The W.S.S.S. is composed of a two-man tempest of pure shanty, Vorn Dont le Père Etait Marin and Lake Davineer. They have been belting out traditional sea songs since 2012 to the delight of sailors and landlubbers. (File size: 6.2 MiB, MP3 format, 2:55 minutes)
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2021-10-18Drunken Sailor (a popular sea shanty, MP3)Listen to one of the most popular shanties (sailors' work songs). This version of Drunken Sailor — also known as What Shall We Do with a/the Drunken Sailor? — is by The Irish Rovers, a group of Irish musicians formed in 1963 and renamed The Rovers in the 1980s. (File size: 3.7 MiB, MP3 format) See also The Drunken Sailor by Leonard Warren with orchestra and chorus
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2022-06-11Sea Shanties (MP3 format)Sea shanties or traditional sailors' work songs are part of the world's maritime heritage. The five a cappella shanties contained in this folder are from the English Folk Dance and Song Society. They are published in Marine Café Blog for your private, non-commercial use. (7.1 MiB, five songs in MP3 in one folder)
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