Since the choir was established, they have managed to release 5 cds and done lots of concerts and performances. Some of the highlights of the past few years have been the Langesund International Shantyfestival, Festival Maritim in Bremen (Germany), Telemarkfestivalen in Bø and Bergenfest 2006, and they are currently doing well in Japan. Feedback from their concerts have been very good, and they think that the main reason for their “little success” is that they enjoy so much doing this, and also that they allow and encourage their guests to sing along!
Theyr mission and main directives is to bring forth a forgotten song tradition. At the same time they wish to give their audience, and themselves, a lot of fun, and experience the pleasure of salty folk music. With the old true sailors in mind, they wish to give the shanties all the power, humour and respect they deserve.
The most of their stuff is done a cappella, but they also include mandolin, flute, and guitar on some of their songs. As far as it is possible, they do their concerts without any microphones. "They did not use microphones while rounding the salty Cape Horn, so we should be able to do the same in a pub!!"
Band members: Håkon Vatle, Ronny Sætre, Rune Nesse, Vidar Vedå, Roald Kaldestad and Gisle Østrem
Mingulay Boat Song
Storm Weather Shanty Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are workers since break of day
We are workers at the hawser
As the sun sets on Mingulay
Heel y'ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head round into the weather
Heel y'ho boys, let her go boys
What care we though white the Minch is
What care we for wind and weather?
Let her go boys, every inch is
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Heel y'ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head round into the weather
Heel y'ho boys, let her go boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Wives are waiting by the pier head
or looking seaward from the heather.
Pull her 'round boys, and we'll anchor
ere the sun sets on Mingulay
Heel y'ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head round into the weather
Heel y'ho boys, let her go boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
Ships return now, heavy laden
Mothers holdin their bairns a-cryin
They'll return though, when the sun sets
They'll return back to Mingulay
Heel y'ho boys, let her go, boys
Bring her head round into the weather
Heel y'ho boys, let her go boys
Sailing homeward to Mingulay
The "Mingulay Boat Song" is a poignant and nostalgic depiction of the daily lives of fishermen who lived and worked on the island of Mingulay in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The song is thought to have originated in the 1930s, and has become increasingly popular over the years, particularly in the UK and North America.
The song's lyrics are imbued with a sense of longing and longing for home, and describe the daily work of the Mingulay fishermen as they haul in their catches of fish. From the opening lines, the song establishes a strong sense of collective identity among the workers at the hawser: "We are workers at the hawser / We are workers since break of day".
The chorus of the song, which is repeated at various intervals throughout, is perhaps the most memorable element of the music: "Heel y'ho boys, let her go, boys / Bring her head round into the weather / Heel y'ho boys, let her go boys / Sailing homeward to Mingulay". These lines capture the sense of camaraderie between the fishermen, and hint at the excitement and anticipation of returning home after a long day of hard work.
Overall, the "Mingulay Boat Song" is a beautifully evocative piece of music, one that captures the trials and tribulations of a group of hard-working fishermen in a remote corner of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
We are workers at the hawser
We are laborers responsible for pulling on the rope that helps the ship sail.
We are workers since break of day
We started our day’s work at sunrise.
We are workers at the hawser
We're pulling on the rope of the ship until sunset.
As the sun sets on Mingulay
The setting of the sun signifies the end of another day of hard work for us.
Heel y'ho boys, let her go, boys
Let's hoist the sails and move forward.
Bring her head round into the weather
Steer the ship so that it's facing the wind.
What care we though white the Minch is
We're not afraid of stormy weather, even if it's rough seas in the Minch.
What care we for wind and weather?
We're unbothered by the unfavorable weather conditions.
Let her go boys, every inch is
We're making progress in our journey, inch by inch.
Wives are waiting by the pier head
Our wives are waiting for us where the ships dock on the pier.
Or looking seaward from the heather.
Or if they're in another place, they'll be looking out to sea from the heather (plants with pink or purple flowers).
Pull her 'round boys, and we'll anchor
Let's guide the ship, and we'll soon be safely anchored in a place to rest.
Ere the sun sets on Mingulay
Before the sun fully sets and the day ends, we want to be anchored and finished with our work.
Ships return now, heavy laden
Other ships are arriving, loaded with goods and cargo.
Mothers holdin their bairns a-cryin
Women are holding their crying babies, waiting for their men to return safely.
They'll return though, when the sun sets
Our fellow sailors will return to shore when their work is done, before the sun fully sets.
They'll return back to Mingulay
Their destination is Mingulay, the place we all call home and return to.
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@josecarioca8785
This is now my favorite rendition of this song! I'm really stunned right now.
@stormweathershantychoir7613
thank you so much! It's one of our favourites, as well.
@mrziggz9497
This and Rolling home are my two favorites on this album! Although the whole album was great I can’t help but pick this one out as my favorite. I work on the docks doing various industrial works and when I gaze out at the ocean I can’t help but hum this tune.
@stormweathershantychoir7613
Thank you for the kind words!
@Ficus117
By far my favorite rendition of the song.
@stormweathershantychoir7613
Thank you <3
@linthesizer
I love this song, and this is a really nice version of it!
@princedevianrosberg
Thank you. This is wonderful. :)
@cryptiecreep
This feels like genuine magic
@stormweathershantychoir7613
thank you!