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Haul on the Bowline: the melody (soprano)

The melody of Haul on the Bowline, sung by the soprano, in D, from D4 to E5. Hear it on its own or with the others, then sing it and watch each note light up.

Is the shantyman: sings the whole chorus alone first, as his call, then each verse's first line alone, "Because she had a foretop" and "Because she had a maintop", starting each on its low D on "Because", most often on D, then B, up to its top E on the first "bowline," of the opening call and of the closing chorus.

Range
D4 to E5
Key
D
Guide voice
The app's own voice

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How to learn the soprano part

  1. 01 · Your part

    Hear your part on its own until the tune of it is in your ear.

  2. 02 · With the others

    Hear it with the others, so you know where it sits in the chord.

  3. 03 · Sing it

    Sing it with the others under you and watch each note light up as you land it. The mic listens only while it plays, and nothing is recorded.

About Haul on the Bowline

Words: traditional sea shanty (as sung by John Short, Watchet; printed 1914)

Tune: traditional sea shanty (as sung by John Short, Watchet; printed 1914)

Haul on the Bowline is a pulling shanty as John Short of Watchet sang it to Cecil Sharp, who wrote that his singer had spent more than fifty years in sailing ships. Sharp writes that the chanteyman often began by singing the refrain alone, to announce the chantey and remind the crew of the tune, and this one starts that way. Our arrangement is read from his English Folk-Chanteys of 1914, a tone higher, in D, on the harmony of his piano part. This is the call, two verses and the full chorus for 2 to 4 singers: the soprano is the shantyman, and everyone lands together on each answer's last "haul", where Sharp marks the pull.

All about Haul on the Bowline More sea shanties, part by part

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Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up.
  • A guide sings your partHear your line over the others, slow it down, then take your turn.
  • Your notes light upEach note shows where you landed, and a hint when to go up or down.
  • Record every part yourselfStack your takes in time until you're the whole choir.
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