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(242KB)http://ingeb.org/songs/bobbysha.html		 Bobby Shaftoe

The version of "Bobby Shaftoe" that I sing can be found in Folk Songs of the British Isles. I've know since childhood and in my boyhood considered it a silly girls skipping song. Nowadays (2000) however we sing it regularly and vigorously in the Vegesacker Whalermen. We have a lot of fun in speeding up the tempo and repeating the final chorus. According to the songbook's compiler, Andrew Gant, the text and melody are attributed to J. Bruce and J. Stokoe respectively as given in the Northumbrian Minstrelsy (1882).
"Bobby Shaftoe" has been recorded by:
CD tracks/info Geoff Grainger on "Mostly at Sea" CDs at Ditty Box Enterprises
CD tracks/info The King's Singers on "Watching the White Wheat" RealAudio amazon.com amazon.co.uk amazon.de amazon.fr amazon.ca
CD tracks/info Various Artists on "Revels Celebration Of Spring Summer & Fall" RealAudio amazon.com amazon.co.uk amazon.de amazon.fr amazon.ca
CD tracks/info Wally Whyton on "Children's Choice" amazon.com amazon.co.uk amazon.de amazon.fr amazon.ca