Songs the Whalemen Sang

Both this book and THE GAM are finest kind (as the fishermen say) and classics in the music field. My copy of the first edition of SONGS THE WHALEMEN SANG is much cherished and I'm delighted to have just purchased a copy of THE GAM, which is the succeeding volume. Mr. Huntington was my Latin and History teacher in high school, and he was not only an accomplished musician and musicologist, teacher and historical researcher, he had been a commercial fisherman so he wrote about boats, the sea and fishing with great authority. He was also an archaeologist, a talented writer and gifted editor, and an all around great guy. His wife Mildred, one of the family of Singing Tiltons from Chilmark, was a wonderful person and complimented all his skills and intellectual passions.These are books which should be on every folk musicians shelf, and on the maritime shelf as well. Buy them now!

This important book contains many of the standard and what have become standard songs and tunes relating to the American and UK whaling tarde of the 19th century. The songs & tunes are clearly printed together with some background information - most important linking the songs to the ships, places and times. The background to what was once a very important economic industry is explained, it may be somewhat taboo these days, times move on but there is a need to understand the effects of the trade, it impact on the communities and the dangerous and dirty work involved. The songs that deal directly with the industry, for that is what it was, give great insight to men and their work. This book should be in the library of anyone interested in social and industrial history and anyone interested in songs of workand the sea.

Both essential pieces of work for the folksong singer, social historian and general reader

A lot of music, a gift for the period musician. Excellant as one would expect from a book published by Mystic Seaport.