Sea Shanty

Born in the age of sail, Sea Shanties were the functional work songs of the merchant navy. They were designed to keep a crew in sync—rhythmic enough to time a heavy pull on a rope and catchy enough to pass the lonely hours at sea. These are songs of camaraderie and hardship, characterized by powerful "call and response" structures and stomping rhythms. They are meant to be shouted, sung in unison, and fueled by a bit of rum and the vast, unforgiving ocean.