The Best Folk Music and Sea Shanty Songs
Contents
Find the best folk music and sea shanty songs for your next party or event. We have a wide selection of songs that are sure to get everyone singing along.
Introduction
Folk music and sea shanties are an integral part of maritime culture. Both genres often tell stories of the sea, of ships and sailors, of love and loss. While they may have different origins, they share many common themes and are both incredibly catchy. Here are some of the best folk music and sea shanty songs that will have you singing along in no time.
What is Folk Music?
Folk music is a genre of music that is created by the people, for the people. It is music that has been passed down through generations, and often tells the stories of a culture or a people. Folk music can be found all over the world, and each region has its own unique style of folk music.
Folk music is often used to tell stories, and many of the songs are about real life events or people. Some folk songs are about love, loss, and heartbreak, while others are about happy events such as weddings or births. There are also many songs that are simply about everyday life, and these songs can be great for dancing or simply enjoying the music.
One of the most popular types of folk music is sea shanties. Sea shanties were originally sung by sailors as they worked on ships, and they often told stories about life at sea. These days, sea shanties are still popular, and many people enjoy singing them for fun.
The Origins of Folk Music
Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation orally. It usually has a simple melody and few instruments, and is often about everyday life or current events. Folk music originated in the medieval period, and was later popularized in the Renaissance. Sea shanties are a type of folk song that was sung by sailors while working on ships. These songs usually had a repetitive chorus that helped the sailors work together in rhythm.
The Different Types of Folk Music
Folk music is a genre of music that is often passed down from generation to generation. This type of music often has a strong connection to the culture and traditions of the people who create it. Folk music can be found all over the world, and each region has its own unique style.
There are many different types of folk music, ranging from traditional ballads to sea shanty songs. Here are just a few examples:
Traditional ballads are one of the most common types of folk songs. These songs often tell stories or relay important information. Many traditional ballads were created as a way to remember history or important events.
Sea shanty songs are another type of folk music that is closely associated with maritime culture. These songs were often sung by sailors as they worked on ships, and they usually told stories about life at sea.
Work songs were another type of folk music that was created for a specific purpose. These songs were often sung by workers as they performed their tasks, and they served as a way to make work more efficient and enjoyable.
The Best Folk Music Songs
Folk music has been around for centuries and it is a genre that is very close to my heart. I have compiled a list of what I believe to be the best folk songs out there. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
“The Parting Glass”
“The Parting Glass” is a traditional Scottish song that has been recorded by many artists over the years. The song is about farewells and parting ways, and is often sung at the end of a night out or at a funeral. The version by the Scottish folk group The Wailin’ Jennys is particularly well-known and has been covered by many other artists.
“I Will Always Love You”
“I Will Always Love You” is a folk song written by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. The song was first released in 1974 as part of her album Jolene, and later gained widespread popularity after being covered by Whitney Houston in 1992.
The song is about Parton’s feelings for her longtime partner and collaborator, Porter Wagoner, with whom she was working at the time. Although their professional relationship was ending, Parton wanted to continue to honor and respect him. The lyrics express her deep love for him, as well as her hope that he will find happiness even if they are no longer together.
“I Will Always Love You” has been praised for its simple but emotive lyrics, and has been covered by many artists including Whitney Houston, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. The song has become one of the most popular and well-known folk songs of all time.
“The Times They Are A-Changin'”
Written by Bob Dylan and released in 1964, “The Times They Are A-Changin'” is a song that has been covered by many artists over the years. The lyrics are about social change and political unrest, and the song has been associated with the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement.
“Blowin’ in the Wind”
“Blowin’ in the Wind” is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and released as a single and on his album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan in 1963. It has been recorded by more than 600 artists. The song “questions the societal structures that Dylan saw around him at the time”, and reflects his frustration with the way society was structured.
The Best Sea Shanty Songs
A sea shanty, chantey, or chanty is a type of work song that was sung to accompany labor on board large merchant sailing vessels. The term shanty most accurately refers to a specific style of work song belonging to this historical repertoire. However, in recent, popular usage, the scope of its definition is sometimes expanded to admit a wider range of repertoire and characteristics, or to refer to a “maritime work song” of any kind.
” Drunken Sailor”
“Drunken Sailor” is a traditional folk song, thought to have originated in the 18th century. It is about a sailor who is, you guessed it, drunk! The song is popular with sea shanty enthusiasts and is often used as a drinking song.
The lyrics of “Drunken Sailor” are simple and repetitive, making it easy to sing along. The chorus goes like this:
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Earrly in the morning!
There are many different versions of the song, and the verses can be different depending on where you are from. In some versions, the sailor is put in jail, while in others he is made to walk the plank. No matter what the verses say, though, everyone can enjoy singing along to this fun and catchy tune!
“What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?”
The song is about a sailor who is found to be drunk on shore leave, and the various amusing things suggested for what to do with him (“put him in the long boat ’til he’s sobber”). The melody is from George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Judas Maccabeus. It has been recorded by many artists, and has become a popular folk song.
The opening verse is:
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Put him in the long boat ’til he’s sobber.
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Put him in the long boat ’til he’s sobber.
“Rolling Home”
“Rolling Home” is a traditional English sea shanty, best known from the recording by Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer in the 2004 film “Down to the Sea in Ships”. The song is about a sailor’s homesickness for his native land, and his longing to “roll home” to it.
“Leave Her, Johnny”
“Leave Her, Johnny” is a traditional maritime song, sometimes called a sea shanty or sailor’s song. The song dates back to the early 19th century, and has been recorded by a number of artists over the years.
The song tells the story of a sailor who is torn between his love for a woman and his love for the sea. The sailor ultimately decides to leave the woman, telling her that he will never forget her.
“Leave Her, Johnny” has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Bob Dylan, Odetta, and Pete Seeger.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best folk music and sea shanty songs are those that are able to evoke a feeling of nostalgia and longing in the listener. While there are many popular songs that fall into this category, the ones that stand out the most are those that have a strong melody and lyrics that tell a story. The best way to find these types of songs is to listen to them yourself and see which ones resonate with you the most. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations. Once you have a few favorites, you can start making your own playlist of folk music and sea shanty songs to enjoy whenever you want.
