Ah me hearties! Today we are learning about Múinteoir Ray's favourite music craze ever, SEA SHANTIES!
Sea shanties are a part of a music genre called "work songs." Sailors and pirates used the rhythm of the songs to keep in time together when rowing the boat, hauling up sails, and doing other team work. The response or the verse, is always the same so the sailors can concentrate on their work.
The word "shanty" comes from the French "chanter," to sing. They were popular in the 18th and 19th century. In 2021, Sea Shanties have made a surprise return with millions of people enjoying the songs on social media. Shanties are fun songs to sing as they usually have a call and response format.
A good example of call and response is the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song. The Captain asks who lives in a Pineapple under the sea and the kids sing back the answer, which is SpongeBob SquarePants! That is known as a Sea Shanty and has a clear rhythm to it.
Download the activity sheet and the song here!
Write Your Own Sea Shanty
Let's write our own Sea Shanty using same technique. Múinteoir Ray did a first verse below along with the chorus. Write your own second and third verse about your Home School experience. Remember we keep the same chorus.
And finish off the song here!
Pirate Labyrinth
Help Captain George Ugly-Mug Fuller find his hat!
