The aim of this site is
to illustrate the songs, music, ditties and musical yarns that
have actually been sung and used by the sailors of the
Royal Navy over past centuries.
This project has originated, because these
naval ditty songs along with the unique language associated with them,
are in danger of being lost for ever. - I therefore challenge all
ex RN sailors to contribute to this project and thereby save our heritage
for future generations.
Although there are many songs
on the web with a maritime theme, very few of them can truthfully
be said to have ever been used by sailors of the Royal Navy. - In
the 'Andrew', we have our own traditions, which musically speaking,
are based upon particular types of song which we use, either in our
Sods Operas and messdeck song sessions, or in our everyday life to
express the 'moment' of a situation. In order to illustrate
these properly it is our generalintention to provide information on
the complete usage of any song or ditty, noting how and when it would
generally be performed.
In order that this might be done
with any authority, my own memories and observtions within the service
are insufficient and I desperately need your assistance, to provide
depth and colour to that information, so please enjoy a couple of
hours, wandering around these pages. Yet on reflection as your mind
inevitably travels back to those halcyon days of flying fish coming
aboard in the evening watch, the sudden flash that you get as the
tropic sun sets in a majestic array of colour or those glorious banyans
spent on an idyllic afternon on deserted islands, remember we need
to know the songs you sang. So that we might pass those idyllic moments
on to your grandchildren. Yet I also need those one liners and short
dits, that tumble of the tonque at moments of stress; as we queue
for our scran at the galley hatch or door, throw the cutlery into
the gash chute, or remark on your oppo's fortune or misfortune as
he scuttles off ashore whilst you do his watch for him. Perhaps you
recall those calls at the Crown & Anchor board or the Tombola
session.
In every
case the songs illustrated here are taken directly and auto biographically
from the 'voice' of the Royal Navy sailor. Each one is compiled in
time and situation of performance, so that we might attempt to date
and catalogue there usage. So please! if
you recall any song being used, please email me with its details,
hopefully telling me where and when you sang it.
Also most importantly if you recall any song being used in the execution
of your duties. PLEase PLEAse PLEASE tell me about it - songs like
'She has a Face Like a Mess Deck Scrubber', (of which
I only have fragments) or perhaps it was something very saucy, performed
at the work face.
If anybody
recalls -
Please any
input no matter how seemingly trivial is bound to be the missing piece
of the jigsaw.
PS Does
Anybody know the full text of the Gunners call "Fire
One .etc. etc..."
Although songs, such as those,
are the core of this collection, It is essentially the whole aspect
of the Royal Naval folk musical heritage, that concerns us here. Consequently
we need to know about how and when those ditties were performed
Thus, not only are we
interested in the songs, the tunes to which they were used but particularly
the circumstances around which any particular song was used. To achieve
this, the site draws on diaries, biographies, personal ditty books
etc. But more importantly in is heavily reliant on you the reader
to provide feedback about the songs you yourselves remember and used
- So please, not only enjoy your voyage through these pages, but remember
if it wasn't for your oppo's nothing would exist here. So please please
help.
I welcome contact wih all of
you and would enjoy hearing your opinion on the site. Remember communication
is a two way thing - I am also here to help you remember those lost
lyrics - We do extra-ordinarly well at it.
Finally - Remember even well known
songs existed in many different variations. As some ships having there
very own version of 'Uckers' so there are many songs that relate to
a particular ship or perhaps the China fleet and Home Fleets. This
information, probably only now rests with you, and may well passover
the bar without being recorded for future generations. Please please
tell us about your own experiances
~~~
You can
pass any information on to me here at this site to info@navysong.co.uk
or see the CONTACTS
page for more details -
Just to have
the information on why a song was sung would be sufficient, but to
have a few words or even a poor rendition of the tune would be the
equivalent for me of once again, participating in an up-harbour night
at sea after a long deployment.
Thanking you
in anticipation, Yours Aye,
Barry
E. Scott
Who Am
I -
Barry
E. Scott is both the Editor and Author of this site. He Served in
the Royal Navy between 1964 and 1993, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer
. During his time in the Andrew, he collected the Naval Ditty Songs
that were being sung around him. Since 1980, he has been actively
contacting other ex RN's for assistance in preserving the songs and
ditties of the Navy for future generations and has amassed information
on several hundred items from biographical sources.
What
Happens to the Collection -
Please
Follow the link - COLLECTION
on the Navigation Bar
