“Lowlands Low (III)”
Description
Halyard shanty. "Our packet is the Island Lass, Low-lands, low-lands, low-lands, low! There's a nigger howlin' at the main top mast, Low-lands, low-lands, low-lands, low!" Verses mostly complaints and rhymes about sailing.
Notes
Hugill says this is from ships the West Indian trade (sugar and rum), many of which had "chequerboard" crews, i.e. one watch white and one watch coloured. - SL
References
- Hugill, pp. 70-71, "Lowlands Low" (1 text, 1 tune) [AbEb, pp. 64-65]
- Sharp-EFC, XXIX, p. 34, "Lowlands Low" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #8286
- BI, Hugi070