Learn a Shanty

Shanties are sung in a call-and-response format. The shantyman (leader), sings out the verses, followed by all the crew singing out the chorus. Shanties have different rhythms depending on the type of work (see types of shanties) being done by the crew. One word is often emphasized in the song where the crew is to push or pull or do whatever the task is at hand.


HEILAND LADDIE



Steve Lewis and Wayne Palsson singing Heiland Laddie


Wuz you ever in Quebec? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Stowin' timber on the deck. Bonnie heiland laddie

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Chorus
Hey, ho and away we go - Bonnie laddie, heiland laddie
Hey, ho and away we go - My bonnie hieland laddie.
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Wuz you ever off the Horn? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Where it's always fine and warm. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Cardiff Bay? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Where the folks shout, "Hooray!"Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Bombay? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
On the town with three months' pay. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Timbucktoo? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Where the gals are black and blue. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you every in Vallipo? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Where the gals put on a show. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you every in Hilo? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
The gals they wiggle with a roll and go. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Mobile Bay? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Screwin' cotton all the day.  Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Canton? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Where the men wear pigtails long. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Mirramashee? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Where ye tie fast to a tree. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Savann-O? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Where the boys dance heel an' toe.  Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Callao? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Where the girls are never slow. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Dundee? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
There some pretty ships you'll see. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever on the Brummalow? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Yankee boys are on the go. Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Boston town? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Rattlin' up and rattlin' down.  Bonnie heiland laddie

Wuz you ever in Dublin town? Bonnie laddie, hieland laddie
Flyin' the Harp without the crown.  Bonnie heiland laddie


Also known as Heilan' Laddie and Highland Laddie, the history of this traditional Scottish song is rooted in the 18th century, but with variations on the verses.

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