A.L. Lloyd (1908-1982), known to friends and fans as “Bert,” was one of the most influential figures in the British folk revival and a tireless champion of traditional sea music. His scholarship and performances brought shanties and forebitters to audiences throughout the mid-twentieth century.

Lloyd’s path to folk music was unconventional. As a young man he worked as a sheep shearer in Australia, where he first encountered traditional songs in the mouths of working people. In 1937, he signed aboard the whaling ship Southern Empress, gaining firsthand experience of maritime life. He went on to work as a journalist and with the BBC, all while immersing himself in folk song research. His 1967 book Folk Song in England remains a foundational text in the field.

Lloyd is perhaps best remembered for his collaborations with Ewan MacColl; his robust voice and deep understanding of maritime work songs made these recordings definitive. He also sang a shanty in John Huston’s 1956 film Moby Dick as the Pequod sets sail.