| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Shanty Songs. | | |
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Songs sung by sailors at work, to ensure united action. They are in sets, each of which has a different cadence adapted to the work in hand. Thus, in sheeting topsails, weighing anchor, etc., one of the most popular of the shanty songs runs thus:— | 1 |
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| “I’m bound away, this very day, |
| I’m bound for the Rio Grandè. | |
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| Then fare you well, my bonny blue bell, |
| I’m bound for the Rio Grandé.” | |
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(French, chanter, to sing; a sing-song.) | 2 |
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