I am a happy shantyman, I sing songs of the sea,
but yet there is a little thing that really bothers me.
The shantyman is leader and he sings out loud and clear
but when we reach the chorus it's the crew that you do hear.
And as they start the singing the work it too must start
so the sailors pull together and that's the important part.
Twixt shantyman and chorus there is a little cue
that tells the uninitiated just what they have to do.
The signal is "to me" and "weigh-ho" is the refrain
and after every verse those little words come again.
But some crews sing it different which causes me unease
"to me" is sung within the chorus and that just does not please.
So when I sing with new friends, I ask them what it will be
Does this particular crew sing -----"to me" or not "to me"?
Author notes
One of Shakespear's most over used (and abused) phrases.
To be, or not to be: that is the question ( Hamlet 3.1.64-98).
In this case it is a used as the basis for a discussion whenever the group I sing with start to learn a new shanty.
Jim S
Written October 3rd, 2005
In a list
A contest entry
- Yes, yet another quote based contest...But with a twist! I think. by Sapphy.
300 points, ended November 1, 2005, 7 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 26 of 26
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Thanks for the comment Charley. Having just taken part in Alan Bell's Nelson Tribute Festival the problem arose again but no-one was really bothered since we (and the audiences) had fun singing out.
Jim S -
Makes perfect sense to me, as one who often leads sea shanties.
Cheerily,
Charley Noble -
Ah well! I'm no singer, of any song, never mind sea shanties!
A mere thought in passing - but still enjoyed you poem - Honestly! 
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Thanks for the comment Storic. regarding your problem lines. When I say them in a recitation I call the "to me" and the "weigh ho" as I sing them in a shanty and so the hesitation after each is a little more exagerated which seems to work for me. As to the option come those little words again. That is so unlike my normal speech I would stutter over it and spoil the effect. therefore, good as it may be, I'm afraid the option will not work for me.
I appreciate your taking the time and the trouble to give me your thoughts. They are welcome and considered carefully by me as, I hope, all such suggestions always will be.
Jim S -
good
I found the pun very droll and the poem itself amusing. It flowed very well, but there were a couple of places where it seemed to me (and who am I to judge?) that the rhythm stuttered a little. One verse in particular:
"The signal is "to me" and "weigh-ho" is the refrain
and after every verse those little words come again."
Now this is a mere suggestion, but do you think a little juggling thus:
"The signal is "to me" and "weigh-ho" the refrain
and after every verse, come those little words again."
improves the rhythm at all? What do you think? Anyway, that apart, I thought the poem was a very good one and therefore applaud.
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Jim,
I would suggest:-
It's the crew that you all hear.
The work alas must start
which is the important part
little words come out again
But some crews sing it differently which causes me despair,
T me is sung in unison, but should it still be there?
Drop them from penultimate line.
I don't understand the 'does'in the last line, in fact I don't even understand the question, it's not clear.
Hope this is of some use.
Luv,
R. -
Hi there Robin,
Having performed this live a couple of times I agree it doesn't work 100% but there is still something.
I shall be playing with a few alterations over the next few days and any suggestions will be welcome.
Indeed suggestions always will be considered even if not always acted on. That is the strength here!
Thanks for taking the time to read and write and enjoy the rest of your trip.
Jim S -
i have 2 say jim that as yr biggest fan, this doesnt really work as well s it should. im in dubai at the mo ad cant work out this laptop. dont be disheartened, but i think i know you now, and i think you will agree.
will discuss with you soon in greater depth.
r -
Hi, thanks for reading and writing.
Every rehearsal we have to decide when to join the lead singer and half the time we get it wrong in the act but we always have fun.
I intend to do this with the group as a forebitter, that's a song or story after work sitting on the fore bitts (lumps at the front of a ship)after the work is done.
Jim S -
Thanks for the flattering comment. feel free to read as much as you can find up there.
Jim S -
Every time we have a rehearsal I want to come out with that line. Next time I'll do the whole poem for the group.
Jim S -
Glad you like it. There's a bunch of other daft ditties already up there.
Jim S -
You are too kind. Many thanks for the nice words.
Jim S -
Thanks. I am to please.
Jim S -
Ah well can't win them all. It was a pun I've been wanting to use for a long time.
Jim S -
Thanks for the kind words.
Jim S -
Very original twist on some pretty well-known words. I loved the way everything came together at the end, and I can just see the irritated shantman singing with his new friends.^^
Very nice piece of poetry... with the flawless rhyming, I had a sudden urge to read it aloud as if it was a shanty in itself. -
I really really liked that it rhymed! That was funny at the end. great write and worth the read. keep it up!! i'll have to read more of your work
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lol. Nice one, Jim! I love the humorous twist you take. "to me or not to me," indeed!
peace
doug
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hey I liked this one and i loved reading it as well. Keep it up and can't wait to read more in the future.
~Willie~ -
It was a real treat to click on this and see your Shakesperan flare at work to produce a smile or two. Nicely done!!!
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Hey. I really liked this poem alot! . I loved the rhyming and thought the whole thing was great and so enjoyable to read and like sappho i must admit i giggled.. hehe! . Well done, a big thumbs up from me! Good luck in the contest.
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"One of Shakespear's most over used (and abused) phrases"
Very, very true. Of the first three entries in this contest, two used it. However, its such a gooder I can see why people cant resist it.
This poem is a giggle-evoker for sure. To get a giggle out of me is often times quite hard when literature is the medium, so kudos on that.
The rhyme was awesome, as StarSmith already mentioned, and the flow was also very good.
I loved the last couplet best.
Overall, awesome job.
Thanks for entering and good luck in my contest!
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didn't float my boat see me after class !
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Thank you for your comments and encouragement. I am glad you liked it.
Jim S -
Wee!!! I liked this a lot! But I really enjoy rhyming poems and this was rhymed like good old Shakespeare himself. Great job and good luck in the contest!!!!!
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