Recorded in 1980 at the National Maritime Museum in San Francisco, this compilation gathers maritime music from around the world, with songs from England, Ireland, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Chile, Venezuela, and southern China among many others. The selections range from halyard shanties and ballads to instrumental reels and ensemble pieces, sung in many languages with translations and song notes provided throughout. Among the performers are the shantyman Stan Hugill, who sings “South Australia” and “Blow the Man Down”, and Louis Killen, heard on Cyril Tawney’s “Grey Funnel Line”.

Produced by the Maritime Humanities Center at Fort Mason, the album takes its cover from a photograph of the homemade “Fu Fu” band of a sailing ship on San Francisco Bay around 1890, an improvised crew ensemble of button accordions, mandolin, spoons, a homemade penny whistle, pot-lid cymbals, and barrel-and-keg drums.

Track list:

  1. Ships are Sailing Foxhunters Reel High Reel (medley)
  2. Seljefløyte Strilevise Nøtterøvalsen (medley)
  3. Greenland Bound
  4. Fiafia ‘O Lo’u Loto
  5. South Australia
  6. Wreck of the C.P. Yorke
  7. Mocito Que Vas Remando
  8. The Five Gallon Jar
  9. Décimas del Folklore Venezolano
  10. Come All Ye Tonguers
  11. Blow the Man Down
  12. The Tugboat Song
  13. Lord Franklin
  14. Evening Song of the Happy Fisherman
  15. Grey Funnel Line
  16. Shallow Brown