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
Ring Down Below
Storm Weather Shanty Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ring down below – Oh ring down, ring down I tell you
Ring down below – Oh, ring down yes I meet up with the devil
Ring down below – Oh yes I meet the devil, beat the hell out of the bible
Ring down below – Oh, ring down, ring down everybody
Ring down below - Oh ring down, ring down I tell you
Ring down below – Oh ring down yes I meet up with the devil
Ring down below – Oh yes, the devil he tell me he prayin' for the sinners
Ring down below - I'm going down yonder just to meet up with the devil
Ring down below – Oh, ring down, ring down everybody
Ring down below – Oh yes, the devil he tell me he prayin' for the sinners
Ring down below – Oh yes, I meet the devil, beat the hell out of the bible
Ring down below – Oh ring down, ring down everybody
Ring down below – Oh, ring down, ring down everybody
Ring down below – Oh, ring down, ring down everybody
Ring down below
Ring down below
Ring down below
The lyrics to Storm Weather Shanty Choir's song Ring Down Below begin with a call for everyone to ring down below. The phrase is repeated several times throughout the song, each time with a slightly different context. The singer declares that they have met the devil, and beat the hell out of the bible, implying some sort of rebellion against religion or authority. The devil tells the singer that he is praying for the sinners, which could be interpreted as either a genuine concern for the well-being of humanity, or a sinister plot to lure the singer further into darkness.
Overall, the song seems to be a mix of defiance and resignation, a recognition that "going down yonder to meet up with the devil" may mean accepting eternal damnation but also a desire to reject societal norms and expectations. The repetitive nature of the lyrics and the use of call-and-response create a feeling of group unity in this rebellion.
Overall, the song can be seen as a commentary on organized religion, societal expectations, and individual choice. It suggests that sometimes, one must go against the norm to find their own truth and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Ring down below – Oh, ring down, ring down everybody
Let us all call upon the underworld and summon the devil himself
Ring down below – Oh ring down, ring down I tell you
I urge you all to join me in calling upon the abyss and invoking the devil's presence
Ring down below – Oh ring down yes I meet up with the devil
I have personally encountered the devil in the depths of the underworld
Ring down below – Oh yes I meet the devil, beat the hell out of the bible
While in the presence of the devil, I renounced my faith and destroyed the holy book
Ring down below – Oh yes, the devil he tell me he prayin' for the sinners
The devil has informed me that he prays for the salvation of those who have strayed from the path of righteousness
I'm going down yonder just to meet up with the devil
I am willingly descending into the depths of the underworld to commune with the devil
Ring down below – Oh, ring down, ring down everybody
Let us all continue to call upon the devil and bring forth his presence
Ring down below – Oh yes, the devil he tell me he prayin' for the sinners
The devil reaffirms his desire for the redemption of those who have strayed from the path
Ring down below – Oh yes, I meet the devil, beat the hell out of the bible
I have come face to face with the devil and openly defied the teachings of the church
Ring down below
Continue to invoke the power of the underworld
Ring down below
The call for the devil's presence continues
Ring down below
The summoning of the devil persists
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@amoooooose
Oh my actual goodness, this is hands down like the best song I've ever heard. The soundstage, and the CHARATER. The voices have character, like they've been on a journey and have suffered many hardships. It feels like they are both ready to give up, but also know they need to keep going. I've probably listened to this song no less than 8 times today. Thank you for making the best song ever.
@stormweathershantychoir7613
wow! Thank you for the kind words. Keep listening!
@meatclown9909
This is honestly one of the best things I've heard, the rasp voice and the harmony. The harsh "everybody" is just chefs kiss. I was humming this during a test so you can probably see that I am quite obsessed with this song in particular. :)!! Thanks for this
@stormweathershantychoir7613
thank YOU!
@gustavojendiroba4151
That guy's voice carries so much feeling, sounds like he's in pain, I love it!!
@biggznow6374
Suprised this song isen’t listened to more, seems like the most accurate sea shanty you could find!
@stormweathershantychoir7613
Thanks. Spread the word!
@your_asian_daddy7685
More people need to hear these
@stormweathershantychoir7613
Thnx! Spread the word !
@your_asian_daddy7685
@@stormweathershantychoir7613 I’m trying to