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It is not ancient. The first references to the form date only from the sixteenth century and the term itself – in English at least - is from the mid-nineteenth century.

It is not ancient. The first references to the form date only from the sixteenth century and the term itself – in English at least - is from the mid-nineteenth century.

There was usually a “shanty-man” selected to sing the solo which would begin each verse of a strophic song before being joined for the chorus by the other workers. A good shanty-man could cheer up the gang no-end by making up words as he went along, commenting on the ship, one or other of the officers, the weather or were obscene; but the chorus was always the same for each verse. (''“A rovin’, a rovin’, for rovin’s been my ru-i-en, I’ll go no more a rovin’ with you fair maid”'' is a well-known example of the caste-iron chorus that would follow words that were not necessarily “printable”.) At times the words could be a safe and informal way of informing the captain that the crew had a gripe about something on board.

There was usually a “shanty-man” selected to sing the solo which would begin each verse of a strophic song before being joined for the chorus by the other workers. A good shanty-man could cheer up the gang no-end by making up words as he went along, commenting on the ship, one or other of the officers, the weather or were obscene; but the chorus was always the same for each verse. (''“A rovin’, a rovin’, for rovin’s been my ru-i-en, I’ll go no more a rovin’ with you fair maid”'' is a well-known example of the cast-iron chorus that would follow words that were not necessarily “printable”.) At times the words could be a safe and informal way of informing the captain that the crew had a gripe about something on board.

''“What shall we do with a drunken sailor”'', ''“Blow the man down”'', and ''“The Rio Grande”,'' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyeFMNNZmsc) are well known examples. ''"Oh Shenandoah"'' is an example where the slower tempo can indicate the use of oars or poles during its use.

''“What shall we do with a drunken sailor”'', ''“Blow the man down”'', and ''“The Rio Grande”,'' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyeFMNNZmsc) are well known examples. ''"Oh Shenandoah"'' is an example where the slower tempo can indicate the use of oars or poles during its use.