Ballad of a Female Shanty Singer - Talitha Claypool Nelson

I can't say I've been sailing long - ten years is not that much

But I know the ropes o' the ol' big boats -b' God I know the songs

I've hauled on many a halyard, and I've sailed up and down the coast,

But ye seem t' think that a gender change is what I need the most!

I'm a female shanty-singer, no ifs ands or buts;

I may not have the register - at least I've got the guts

I started out in Mystic - a museum by the shore,
And they all said; "What a natural! Never heard such a voice before!
You may be the best shanty-man that we ever had,
And when it comes to being authentic - well it really is too bad that
You're a female shanty-singer, no ifs ands or buts;
You haven't got the register -at least you've got the guts!"

When I sailed on board the Unicorn as Festival Shan
I took the place o' the bo'sun's mate, and I worked as a deck hand;
I had an idea as I worked on board, to record some songs at sea.
But when it came to the recording - of course they couldn't use me!
For I'm a female shanty-singer, no ifs ands or buts;
I haven't got the register - at least I've got the guts.

When I signed on Young America I tried to play down my sex,
I went out drinking with the boys, and I did my work on deck;
I tried to prove I was in their league, and to impress them all
I worked day and night seven days a week, but even then they'd call ;
"You're a female shanty-singer, no ifs ands or buts
Ye haven't got the register, and ye haven't got the guts! "

The engineer came out on deck, he thought to give us a hand,
But when I showed him what to do -this he could not stand!
So he went and got a gang of men, and threw me overboard,
And as I swam back to the pier the anger in me roared:
"You're a female shanty-singer, no ifs ands or buts,
You may not have the register -at least you've got the guts!"

And when I got back to the ship - Oh I began to fume!
I found that blackguard cowering down in the engine room;
It made me loose my temper, and I drew out my knife --
I may be a woman but I'm man enough to threaten your life!
I'm a female shanty-singer, no ifs ands or buts;
I may not have the register -but at least I've got the guts

Well, the first mate brought uS both to terms and I finished out the season
I was happy to get off that boat -ye know I had good reason!
I moved up north to Boston, to finish my degree
In History of Music- Ethnomusicology
I'm a female shanty-singer, no ifs ands or buts
I may not have the register - at least I've got the guts

And now I'm settled on the land - I've married the second mate
I'm happy with my family, but there is one thing I hate
To hear my favorite shanty songs sung in Glee Club style
By men who've never been to sea - to me the sound is vile!
For I'm a female shanty singer, no ifs ands or buts
I may not have the register, but at least I've got the guts!

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