The group has been performing locally since 1995, and signed a record deal with Universal Music in March 2010. Whilst essentially an a cappella group, their studio recordings and live performances now often include traditional simple instrumentation.
Shantyman
The Fisherman's Friends Lyrics
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And away, get away, you shantyman.
Ain't seen a halyard in many's a year
An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Slick new fittings are all your style
And away, get away, you shantyman.
All very clever, but it just ain't right;
An' they got no use for a shantyman.Shantyman, oh, shantyman,
Sing you a song of a world gone wrong,
When they got no use for a shantyman.
The cargo comes stowed in a polythene pack
And away, get away, you shantyman.
Raised and lowered by a dry bollocks jack
An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Floating computer dressed up like a ship
And away, get away, you shantyman.
All skippered and crewed by a microchip
An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Shantyman, oh, shantyman,
Who's got a berth for a shantyman?
Sing you a song of a world gone wrong,
When they got no use for a shantyman.
Soon they'll be sailing by remote control
And away, get away, you shantyman.
An' that'll be pleasing to the owners' souls
An' they got no use for a shantyman.
They'll send their ships from dock to dock
And away, get away, you shantyman.
All sat upon their arses in an office block.
An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Shantyman, oh, shantyman,
Who's got a berth for a shantyman?
Sing you a song of a world gone wrong,
When they got no use for a shantyman.
A sailor's life it once was hard
And away, get away, you shantyman.
Laid out aloft on a tops'l yard
An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Now it don't matter if the winds blow high
And away, get away, you shantyman
You can take force ten with your feet still dry
An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Shantyman, oh, shantyman,
Who's got a berth for a shantyman?
Sing you a song of a world gone wrong,
When they got no use for a shantyman.
New-fangled gear's no use to you
And away, get away, you shantyman.
When you're off Cape Horn with your fuses blew
An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Then's the time for to curse the day
And away, get away, you shantyman.
You sent your shantyman away
An' they got no use for a shantyman
Shantyman, oh, shantyman,
Who's got a berth for a shantyman?
Sing you a song of a world gone wrong,
When they got no use for a shantyman.
Listen at night and you might hear
And away, get away, you shantyman.
A quiet sound on the cool night air
An' they got no use for a shantyman
Is it a ghost from the distant past
And away, get away, you shantyman.
Or just a breeze in the radar mast?
An' they got no use for a shantyman
Shantyman, oh, shantyman,
Who's got a berth for a shantyman?
Sing you a song of a world gone wrong,
When they got no use for a shantyman
Shantyman, oh, shantyman,
Who's got a berth for a shantyman?
Sing you a song of a world gone wrong,
When they got no use for a shantyman.
The Fisherman's Friends’ "Shantyman" is a lament for the declining role of the Shantyman in the modern world. The lyrics express the idea that the progress of technology has rendered the job of the Shantyman from the age of sail obsolete. Instead of a team of men hauling ropes and hoisting sails, modern ships utilize machines and computer systems. The chorus "Who's got a berth for a shantyman?" repeats throughout the song, highlighting the idea that the traditional role of the shantyman is no longer needed, and therefore shantymen are being replaced by contemporary technology.
The fishing industry is at the core of the band's repertoire of songs and shanties, and the lyrics in "Shantyman" reflect the changing times in that industry. The song suggests that these changes have resulted in boats that are no longer guided by intuition and skill but by technology. The lyrics also convey a longing for the good old days of sailing and the sense of community that accompanied the more traditional ways. The shantyman was seen as a crucial part of that community, leading the crew in song and keeping spirits high during long voyages.
Overall, "Shantyman" is a testament to the cultural heritage of the fishing community, of which the Fisherman's Friends are a part. It’s a lament for a time gone by, a tribute to the men who made their living at sea, and the traditional songs that they sang.
Line by Line Meaning
Now modern ships carry mighty funny gear,
The technology on today's ships is confusing and not familiar to the shantyman.
Ain't seen a halyard in many's a year An' they got no use for a shantyman.
It has been a long time since the shantyman has seen a halyard on a ship, and he is no longer needed to do his work.
Slick new fittings are all your style And away, get away, you shantyman. All very clever, but it just ain't right; An' they got no use for a shantyman.
The new fittings on modern ships may look impressive, but they are not practical for the shantyman to work with, and he is not needed anymore.
The cargo comes stowed in a polythene pack And away, get away, you shantyman. Raised and lowered by a dry bollocks jack An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Cargo is no longer stored in the traditional way, and is instead raised and lowered by machines, making the shantyman's skills unnecessary.
Floating computer dressed up like a ship And away, get away, you shantyman. All skippered and crewed by a microchip An' they got no use for a shantyman.
New ships are controlled by advanced computer systems and do not require a crew to make decisions or perform tasks like the shantyman would have done.
Soon they'll be sailing by remote control And away, get away, you shantyman. An' that'll be pleasing to the owners' souls An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Ships will soon be operated by remote control, which will be more convenient for owners but will make the shantyman's job obsolete.
A sailor's life it once was hard And away, get away, you shantyman. Laid out aloft on a tops'l yard An' they got no use for a shantyman.
Being a sailor used to be difficult, with tasks like climbing the topsail yard requiring strength and bravery, but those tasks are now made easier with technology that doesn't need a shantyman's help.
New-fangled gear's no use to you And away, get away, you shantyman. When you're off Cape Horn with your fuses blew An' they got no use for a shantyman.
The shantyman is unable to fix modern equipment when it breaks down, and can't do much to help when the ship experiences problems far from shore.
Listen at night and you might hear And away, get away, you shantyman. A quiet sound on the cool night air An' they got no use for a shantyman
The shantyman may hear a distant sound that reminds him of his former life, but there is no place for him in the modern world of shipping.
Is it a ghost from the distant past And away, get away, you shantyman. Or just a breeze in the radar mast? An' they got no use for a shantyman
The shantyman wonders if he is simply a relic of the past, or if there is still a place for him in the world of shipping.
Writer(s): Bob Watson
Contributed by Taylor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.