The town of Barrouallie on the leeward side of the island of St. Vincent has a long history of longshore whaling. Taking to sea in 25-foot wooden whaleboats powered by rowing and sails, the whalers of Barrouallie developed a rich tradition of a capella work songs, many of which share their roots with well-known deepwater sea shanties. In this episode, we talk with George “Tall 12” Frederick, one of the most successful harpoon gunners in Barrouallie history who also has a genuine claim to being one of the world’s last “real” shantymen. He tells us all about his childhood watching his uncles and brothers head out to sea, what it was like spending his days hunting blackfish (pilot whales) and other cetaceans such as porpoises, killer whales, and sperm whales, and how they used their songs to motivate the crew, summon crowds to the shore when returning with a catch, and haul large whales and boats onto the shore. Tall 12 is joined by fellow Vincentian Vince Reid and New England shanty singer Dan Lanier. Collectively, their efforts are helping to preserve and promote the shanty traditions of Barrouallie both at home in St. Vincent and around the world.
⚓︎ Shanties featured:
- Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
- Live song: Blackbird Get Up (rowing song), trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Seven Long Years, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Bear Away Yankee, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Hey Bully Monday (hauling song), trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Yard-O (ringplay and hauling song), trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: That Poor Old Man, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Blow the Man Down, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Royo Ground, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Goodbye Fare You Well, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Time for Man Go Home, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Closing credits: Blow the Man Down, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Closing credits photos: The Caldwell Collection, New Bedford Whaling Museum; Carol Entin
⚓︎ Find out more about the Barrouallie Whalers Project at
https://www.facebook.com/Barrwhalers
⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
- pressgangmutiny.com
- facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
- TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny