This ballad is one of the most enduringly popular, both in England and Scotland. It is mentioned by Samuel Pepys in his diary on 2 January 1666. It has been set to various tunes, but the familiar melo...
This is from Northumberland and is a shanty, or sailor's work song, sung while pulling together on a rope and so helping to secure rhythmic unanimity. The shantyman sang the tune, the rest joining in...
