The Most Popular Sea Shanty, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the sea shanty you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:48
Sea shanties, once sung by mariners to synchronize their work on ships, have seen a resurgence in popularity that transcends the boundaries of the sea. This resurgence highlights the timeless appeal and connective power of these folk songs. By establishing which shanties resonate most with people today, we can preserve and celebrate an important piece of maritime heritage.
Ranking these melodious works offers fans and newcomers alike a chance to engage with the tradition actively, ensuring the survival and relevance of these songs in contemporary culture. Your votes help identify the tunes that continue to inspire, entertain, and unite audiences around the globe.
What Is the Most Popular Sea Shanty?
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159votes
This traditional shanty from the 19th century is likely the most well-known sea shanty, with a catchy tune and memorable chorus.The sea shanty 'Drunken Sailor' is a traditional folk song that originated from the maritime communities in the 19th century. It is considered one of the most popular and well-known sea shanties worldwide. The song tells the story of a sailor who has been found drunk on board a ship and the different punishments that are suggested for him. The lyrics are catchy and the song is often performed with a lively and energetic rhythm to accompany manual labor tasks on ships.- Genre: Folk
- Origin: 19th century maritime communities
- Popularity: High
- Famous Performances: Various artists, including The Irish Rovers and Johnny Collins
- Main Theme: Punishment and drunkenness
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233votesAnother classic shanty from the mid-1800s, this song is about a sailor who gets into trouble and needs to be rescued by his crewmates.Blow the Man Down is a well-known sea shanty that originated in the early 19th century. It has since gained popularity and become one of the most recognized shanties worldwide. The song is known for its catchy tune and lively rhythm, making it a favorite among sailors and sea enthusiasts.
- Year of creation: Early 19th century
- Genre: Sea shanty
- Language: English
- Origin: Unknown, likely British or American maritime culture
- Length: Varies, typically 2-3 minutes long
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315votesThis shanty dates back to the 18th century and was sung by sailors as they hoisted heavy sails or raised anchor. Its upbeat melody and call-and-response structure make it a popular choice for sing-alongs.Roll the Old Chariot Along is a traditional sea shanty that originated amongst sailors in the 19th century. It is a lively and energetic song that was commonly sung during the task of heaving or pulling on a line to hoist a sail or anchor, providing rhythm and coordination for the crew. The shanty tells the story of a sailor who falls in love with a young woman and proposes to take her on a ride in an old chariot.
- Genre: Sea shanty
- Origination: 19th century sailors
- Purpose: Work song for hoisting tasks
- Rhythm: Lively and energetic
- Lyrics: Often adapted and modified by different performers
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413votesThis shanty was used for tasks such as hauling ropes or pulling on oars, and its repetitive lyrics and catchy melody made it a favorite among sailors.Haul Away, Joe is a well-known sea shanty that originated from the British Isles. It is often sung by sailors while performing tasks that require a coordinated effort, such as hauling ropes or raising anchors. The song has a lively and catchy melody, making it a popular choice among sea shanties enthusiasts.
- Origin: British Isles
- Genre: Sea shanty
- Lyrics Language: English
- Mood: Lively, energetic
- Melody: Catchy and repetitive
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513votesThis 19th-century shanty gained a resurgence in popularity in 2021 after a TikTok video featuring the song went viral. It tells the story of whalers waiting for a supply ship to bring them provisions, including sugar and tea.The Wellerman is a popular sea shanty that originated in the mid-19th century. It gained mainstream recognition in 2020 when it went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. The song depicts the life of whalers and their encounters with a wellerman, a supply ship that would bring them essential goods and provisions during their months-long voyages at sea.
- Genre: Sea Shanty
- Origin: Mid-19th century
- Mainstream Recognition: 2020
- Lyrics Language: English
- Viral Platforms: TikTok, social media
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618votesThis shanty is about a sailor who is leaving his ship and saying goodbye to his mates. Its mournful melody and lyrics have made it a popular choice for funerals and memorials.Leave Her, Johnny is a traditional sea shanty that originated from the 19th century. It was commonly sung by sailors during the era of sailing ships. The lyrics of the song express the sentiment of bidding farewell to a beloved vessel, 'her' referring to the ship. It is often sung as a work song to coordinate sailors during repetitive tasks such as hauling anchor or raising sails.
- Genre: Sea Shanty
- Origin: 19th century
- Usage: Work song for sailors
- Famous Performers: Various sea shanty groups and artists
- Lyrics Language: English
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77votes
South Australia
InternalThis shanty originated in Australia in the 1800s and was used by sailors for tasks such as weighing anchor or heaving on a capstan. Its rousing chorus and upbeat tempo have made it a popular choice for folk festivals and sing-alongs.South Australia is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent along with diverse landscapes ranging from deserts, rugged mountains, and stunning coastlines. The state offers a unique mix of natural beauty, rich wildlife, vibrant cities, and a flourishing arts scene.- Capital City: Adelaide
- Area: 983,482 square kilometers
- Population: 1.76 million (as of 2020)
- Climate: Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cool, wet winters
- Key Natural Landmarks: Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Lake Eyre, Fleurieu Peninsula
South Australia in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful state in Australia
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810votesThis shanty is about a sailor who wants to go ashore in the Hawaiian port of Hilo. It features a lively melody and call-and-response structure that make it a favorite among sea shanty enthusiasts.Johnny Come Down to Hilo is a traditional sea shanty that originated among sailors in the 19th century. It is typically performed as a call and response song, with the lead singer or shantyman singing a verse and the rest of the crew joining in for the chorus. The song tells the story of a sailor named Johnny who is encouraged to come down to Hilo, a port town in Hawaii. It is known for its catchy melody and lively rhythm, making it a favorite among sea shanty enthusiasts.
- Genre: Sea shanty
- Origin: 19th century
- Style: Call and response
- Subject: Inviting a sailor named Johnny to Hilo
- Region: International (popular among sailors)
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97votesThis shanty is about a sailor who falls in love with a woman named Santy Anno. Its bittersweet lyrics and haunting melody have made it a popular choice for slow, mournful renditions.Santy Anno is a traditional sea shanty that originated among sailors during the 19th century. It is a lively and rousing chantey that was commonly sung while performing various tasks aboard sailing ships, such as hauling or heaving. The lyrics often describe life at sea, encounters with pirates, and the hardships faced by sailors. The melody of Santy Anno is catchy and repetitive, making it easy for sailors to sing together and maintain a steady rhythm.
- Genre: Sea Shanty
- Origin: 19th Century
- Type: Work song
- Lyrics: English
- Melody: Catchy and repetitive
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107votesThis shanty dates back to the 18th century and tells the story of a sailor who meets a group of Spanish women in port. Its catchy chorus and memorable lyrics have made it a popular choice for sing-alongs and folk festivals.The sea shanty 'Spanish Ladies' is a traditional English folk song that originated as a sea song dating back to the 18th century. It became widely popular among sailors and has since remained one of the most recognizable and beloved sea shanties.
- Genre: Sea shanty
- Origin: England
- Date: 18th century
- Popularized by: Sailors
- Subject: Sailors longing for their return home
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular sea shanty
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Historical significanceThe importance of the sea shanty in maritime history and how it reflects the seafaring culture of the time.
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PopularityThe extent to which the sea shanty has been well-known or widely sung through generations of sailors and enthusiasts, both at sea and ashore.
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TimelessnessThe ability of the sea shanty to remain relevant and resonate with listeners and singers, decades or centuries after its origin.
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Lyrics and themesThe content of the sea shanty, such as the tales and struggles it expresses, its ability to invoke emotions, evoke imagery, and offer insight into the lives of sailors.
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Melody and rhythmThe simplicity, memorability, and catchiness of the tune, as well as the rhythm's effectiveness in coordinating seafaring tasks.
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AdaptabilityHow easily the sea shanty can be adapted to different musical genres, styles, or formats, and its appeal to a wide range of audience members.
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Cultural impactThe influence of the sea shanty on popular culture, literature, and other art forms, as well as its role in fostering connections among diverse groups of people.
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Public performances and recordingsThe frequency, success, and reach of public performances and recordings of the sea shanty by professional artists, amateur enthusiasts, and others.
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Social media and online presenceThe prevalence of the sea shanty on social media platforms, its ability to generate online discussions, and the number of views, likes, and shares it receives.
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Educational valueThe extent to which the sea shanty serves as a learning tool, teaching listeners about maritime culture, history, and heritage.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular sea shanty. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or shanty is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2143 views
- 182 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each shanty once every 24 hours. The rank of each shanty is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular sea shanty
Sea shanties are a type of work song that were commonly sung by sailors during long voyages at sea. These songs served a practical purpose, as the rhythm and lyrics helped to coordinate the efforts of the crew as they worked together to hoist sails, raise anchor, and perform other tasks aboard ship. However, sea shanties also served as a form of entertainment and shared cultural experience for sailors, who came from different countries and backgrounds but shared a common life at sea. Today, sea shanties have gained renewed popularity thanks to social media platforms like TikTok, where users have shared viral videos of themselves singing traditional shanties in harmony. With so many sea shanties to choose from, it's no wonder that people are curious to know which ones are the most popular.
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