This is a wonderful love song/ballad that relates to a sailor from the perspective of the lady involved.  It has gained much popularity of late due to its use in the fourth movie (On Stranger Tides) of the universally enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.  In doing some research, I found that the song is pretty well referred to by every blogger as a “sea chantey” or “sea shanty”.  I must state firmly that it is not and never was a sea chantey/shanty!  Nor is it associated with pirates and the like. To reiterate – a sea chantey is a call and response work song designed to coordinate the efforts of a ship’s crew, and this does not have the structure to be utilized as such.  More to the point, it seems that everyone hearing any song relating to the sea seems to think it is called a “sea chantey” and I am really surprised no one has yet tagged the opening theme to “The Love Boat” as yet another “sea chantey”… Or maybe they have and I have yet to hear of it.

In any event, the British Library informs me that they have (shelfmark C.116.i.1) ‘Creeping Jane. My jolly Sailor Bold’ as published in London c.1850, although I still have yet to see a scan of it.  Not withstanding the scanned broadside ballads versions, the earliest version in print that I have seen is in the book “Real Sailor Songs” by John Ashton, 1891.  He does not denote that the song dates from that period; rather John Ashton makes it clear that he was collection “old sailor songs” of a certain age rather than anything of recent vintage.  However, it is difficult to settle on a specific date; it has the hallmarks of a vaudeville or music hall composition, and it has been published in multiple broadside bills: see the Bodleian Library here.  The one that suggests the tune of “Irish Molly” is referring to an older, slower melody than the jump-up version performed by the more recent Irish song groups.

A delightful version most recently released is sung by Danny Spooner in his 2014 CD “Sailors’ Consolation” (see below) in which he sings it in D major instead of the darker minor keys most people seem to sing it in since it was featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).  In the credits it’s arranged by John DeLuca, Dave Giuli and Matt Sullivan, and sung by Gemma Ward who portrayed the mermaid Tamara.  It really is a sweeter song of love with no murder or disaster, so it seems to be better served in a brighter key. The general public might be more acquainted with the Ashley Serena cover of the song, and I have seen her credited with being the composer, but this is erroneous.

Jos. Morneault

D   G   A  D  (lead in)

     D                G                   D                G      A              G          D
Upon one summer’s morning as I carelessly did stray,
               D                          G                   A              G                        A
Down by the wall of Wapping, where I met a sailor gay,
          D                           G                   A                 G                                A
Conversing with a bouncing lass, who seem’d to be in pain,
                  D                G                   D       G                  A           G          D              G  D  A (bridge)
Saying, “William, when you go I fear you’ll not return again.”


 

His hair it did in ringlets hang, his eyes as black as sloes,
May happiness attend on him wherever that he goes,
From Tower Hill, down to Blackwall, she’ll wander, weep, and moan,
All for her jolly sailor bold, until he does return.

Her father is a merchant and the truth to you I’ll tell,
And in great London City in opulence doth dwell,
His fortune doth exceed £300,000 in gold,
And he frowns upon his daughter, for she loves a sailor bold.

But a fig for his riches, all his merchandise, and gold!
True love is grafted in her heart; she loves her sailor bold;
Should he return in poverty, from o’er the seas so far,
Onto her tender bosom will she press her jolly tar.

Her sailor is as smiling as the pleasant month of May,
And oftimes they have wandered all through Ratcliffe Highway,
Where many a pretty blooming girl they happy did behold,
Reclining on the bosoms of their jolly sailors bold.

So come all you pretty fair maids, whoever that you be,
Who love a jolly sailor bold that ploughs the raging sea,
While up aloft, in storm and gale, from you his absence mourn,
And firmly pray, God speed the day, he home will safe return.

Her name it is Maria, she’s a merchant’s daughter fair,
She’s left her home and family and three thousand pounds a year,
Her heart is pierced by Cupid’s dart; she shuns all glittering gold,
And there’s nothing can console her but her jolly sailor bold.

 

 

 How I love Gemma Louise Ward!

 

The great Danny Spooner – my dear friend who will be forever missed.

The following broadside ballads versions you can see at the following Bodleian Library link.