Music Of The Waters - online book

Sailors' Chanties, Songs Of The Sea, Boatmen's, Fishermen's,
Rowing Songs, & Water Legends with lyrics & sheet music

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Music of the Waters.             149
The songs which follow are well known, being "always sung to the same tune, whereas many of the Provencal fishermen's favourites are sung to so many different airs that they end by having no special identity. Their verses are all of a romantic type, and very touching. Some of those which follow are peculiar to the sardine fishers, but I am not quite certain which they are. Marseilles ought to have some local chanties, but, if it has, the sailors are loth to make them public property. I believe it was of Marseilles that the verses in which the following lines occur were written :—
'' Where the mud lies black and shiny, Where the waters sweep along, Where the wharfmen stout and grimy Heave and haul with many a song."
At the moment I am just in receipt of a song from the South of France, said to be a great favourite with the sailors in that part of the country. It is known as " Le Petit Navire," and, as it was sent to me with the following accompaniment, I have just given it as sent:—
LE PETIT NAVIRE.