May 14th, 2019 Set Sail With the Wannaskan Almanac

It is a well known fact that not very many people know that Wannaska is at the center of the Roseau County ship-building industry.  Sailors from Wannaska have built and sailed crafts to destinations such as Bermuda, Norway, and Cuba.  That is why if you frequent one of the many blacksmithing shops in Wannaska you might just hear the words of an old sailing song. 

I have included a couple of songs for your enjoyment.  I couldn’t find any in Norwegian.  I am sorry about that.

The Courts of High Barbary

There were two lofty ships from old England came,
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we;
One was the Prince of Luther, and the other Prince of Wales,
Cruising down along the coast of the High Barbaree.

“Aloft there, aloft!” our jolly boatswain cries,
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we;
“Look ahead, look astern, look aweather and alee,
Look along down the coast of the High Barbaree.”

There’s nought upon the stern, there’s nought upon the lee,
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we;
But there’s a lofty ship to windward, and she’s sailing fast and free,
Sailing down along the coast of the High Barbaree.

“Oh, hail her, Oh, hail her,” our gallant captain cried,
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we;
“Are you a man-o’-war or a privateer,” said he,
“Cruising down along the coast of the High Barbaree.”

“Oh, I am not a man-o’-war nor privateer,” said he,
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we;
“But I’m a salt-sea pirate a-looking for my fee,
“Cruising down the coast of the High Barbaree.”

Oh, ’twas broadside to broadside a long time we lay,
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we;
Until the Prince of Luther shot the pirate’s masts away,
Cruising down along the coast of the High Barbaree.

“Oh, quarter, Oh, quarter,” those pirates then did cry,
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we;
But the quarter that we gave them – we sunk them in the sea,
Coming down along the coast of the High Barbaree.

This was originally an English song, but it was later rewritten by American sailors to tell about a victorious battle with pirates disguised as another ship. The pirates pleaded for mercy but the sailors gave them no quarter.

Blood Red Roses

My clothes are all in pawn
Go down you blood red roses, go down
And it’s mighty draughty around Cape Horn
Go down you blood red roses, go down
Oh, you pinks and posies
Go down you blood red roses, go down

It’s round Cape Horn we’ve got to go
Chasing whales through ice and snow

Oh my old mother she wrote to me
My darling son come home from sea

Oh it’s one more pull and that will do
For we’re the bullies to kick her through

This song is a shanty about going around Cape Horn to go whaling. Rounding Cape Horn was one of the toughest tasks in the age of sail because of the strong and unfavorable winds in the area.

There is some speculation as to what “blood red roses” is referring to. Some people say it’s a name for the Royal British marines who wore a red uniform. Others say it’s referring to whale’s blood on the surface of the water.

So gather a few friends and pour a few pints and sing some songs tonight!