GU10 – Songs of The Sea

The GU10 repertoire is an eclectic mix of songs with a common theme….

A number of them are sea shanties but there are some that are associated with the sea rather than being a true sea shanty, for example the Wreck of the John B is one of our key numbers.

The shanties that make up the lions share of the repertoire are old sailors’ work songs, dating back to the time when the crewmen had to heave at the capstan to raise anchor, or haul on the halyards to raise the sails.

It was vital to get the crew heaving and hauling together and this was the role of the ‘shantyman’, but when sail gave way to steam, the shanty fell into disuse, and it was not until the British folk music revival of 60 years ago that sea shanty singing in its original style began to make a comeback.

GU10 have chosen songs from all over Britain, there are ones from England like ‘The Leaving of Liverpool’, Scottish ones, songs from the Isle of Man, America and a French one too!

The set includes original material – a first for the band. “Coming Home”, a tale of Fishermen with respect for the sea and their surroundings, has been written by band member Richard Collas.