CURRENT LITERATURE
DEEP SEA CHANTIES. Edited by Frank Shay. Illustrated by E. A. Wilson. (Heinemann. 15s. net.)
THESE lively ,and natural old songs are a treasure of huincur
and bold rhythm, and Mr. Wilson's decorations arc appropriate in manner and subject. The one pity is that we are not given the music as well. As a sample we may quote " The Dead
Horse," with the compiler's note : " A long-drag or halyard chanty. When the- sailor signs on he is given a month's pay
in advance which is spent before the ship sails. The Dead Horse' is the thirty days he must work before he begins to draw pay " :—
" They say, old man, your horse will die, And they say so, and they hope so. Oh, poor old man, your horse will die, Oh, poor old man I
For thirty days I've ridden him And when he dies we'll tan his skin.
And if he lives, I'll ride him again, l'll ride him with a tighter rein.
It's up aloft the horse must go, And they say so, and they hope so. We'll hoist him up and bury him low, Oh, poor old horse I "
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