Origin and Purpose: Shanties were rhythmic work songs used to coordinate and lighten the load of hard work, such as hoisting sails, weighing anchor, or pumping.
A soloist (shantyman) sang verses, and the choir sang the chorus—often a cappella and in call-and-response form.
Themes: Songs about the harsh sea life, homesickness, drink, women, adventure, and complaints about captains or circumstances.
End of Practical Use: With the advent of steamships (late 19th/early 20th century), they disappeared as work songs.
Current Situation: Nowadays, they are a popular hobby, especially in the Netherlands, where there are hundreds of shanty choirs (often male choirs).
Shanty singing has been officially recognized as intangible cultural heritage in the Netherlands since 2018, organized by ShantyNederland.
Choirs perform at festivals (such as Bie Daip) and sing for fun, with simple, sing-along melodies.
Well-known examples include "Drunken Sailor," "Blow the Man Down," and Dutch-language versions.
It's a living tradition that keeps maritime history alive!
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