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Glossary

Long Haul or Halyard Shanty

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Reuben Ranzo


A halyard shanty is used to coordinate hauling. Most often it is used to set sails. A rope is stretched out along the deck and the crew takes their place along the line. It resembles the game of "tug-of'war". The shanteyman, or song leader takes his place at the front of the line where the line leads down to the deck from the aloft. The shantyman sings the verses and the crew sings the chorus or refrain. Two pulls on the line occur during the refrain. All hands, including the shantyman, haul. The shanty, Reuben Ranzo is an example of a halyard shanty. It is performed by the Mystic Seaport Chanteymen on the recording "Songs of the Sailor."

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