Songbook
When it comes to singing, it may fairly be said that Woodside, on occasions, demonstrate a greater level of enthusiasm than quality. But such is often the fate of Folk singing - the songs are sung by people 'of the people' and our abilities brilliantly reflect that great and noble custom. The truth is, when singing with a pint in your hand after an arduous evening's dancing and playing, it is enthusiasm, participation and camaraderie that tend to create the moment.
And speaking of participation, here is your chance to make the difference! Select from the songs below, and lo! Your pleasure shall be displayed in the song panel to the right! Put your finger in your ear, and let it rip...
Country Life
Drunken Sailor
Pleasant and Delightful
Sweet Nightingale
Fathom the Bowl
Strike the Bell
South Australia
New York Girls
Rolling Home
The Sussex Carol
The Boar's Head Carol
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Drunken Sailor
Verse 1 (verse structure)
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-aye in the morning.
Chorus
Hoo-ray, and up she rises.
Hoor-ray and up she rises.
Hoor-ray and up she rises,
Earl-aye in the morning!
Verse 2
Put him in the scupper with a hose pipe on him
Verse 3
Put him in bed with the captain’s daughter
Verse 4
You should see the captain’s daughter
Verse 5
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Verse 6
Put him in the long boat ‘till he’s sobre
Verse 7
Tie him to a rope and keyal-haul him
Verse 8
That’s what we’ll do with a drunken sailor.
That haory old chestnut of the shanty world, the exact source of which remains a mystery unlikely to ever be revealed, is a perennial favourite of anyone who struggles to remember the words of more complex songs; that is, songs with the added complication of having more than one line for a verse.
Likely to be sung in no particular order, whoever leads sings the first line of a verse, then all join in. If anyone fancies adding their own original verse, just stick up your hand,wait for a nod, then blurt it out.
Keelhauling was a shipboard punishment whereby an offender, drunken or otherwise, would be hauled under a boat, either bow to bow or prow to stern. It has been spelled here as keyal-haul purely to fit better.