Really great live band. Pride of Newfoundland. The lead singer Alan Doyle starred with Russell Crowe in Robin Hood. Other songs are Ordinary Day, Consequence Free, Sea of No Cares and a killer live version of Its the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine).
Shanties are sailor's work songs....and have a simple rhythm designed for specific works like hauling ropes or anchors, turning capstans, or working pumps. Modern shanty singers tend to take liberties with the form to make them more musical or performative. General Taylor, later President Zachary Taylor, was the 12th US President between 1849-50.... He was a national hero for his victories in the Mexican-American War and the prior Seminole War. He only served a little over a year before dying in office of a digestive malady, which may have been cholera. Sailors adapted a traditional shanty tune called "Stormaway" to honor Taylor's funeral....which became a popular work song.
Sea Shanties are working songs sailors would sing while working together on the ships to keep rhythm and time in order to make the job they were doing easier and less tedious. Some tell a story some don't. This one's origins seem to be obscure. The band isn't. Not in Canada anyway. They are a national treasure. They come from Newfoundland. A place where working the Sea has a long history and tradition.
The line "General Taylor gained the day" is referencing a victory of US General Zachary Taylor over Mexican General Santa Anna (of Santiana fame) during the Mexican-American War, likely at the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847.
I saw a lot of live shows.. Pantera, slayers, Garth Brooks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.. my favourite one was a 12$ cost show from Great Big Sea 👌 An amazing Canadian proud 🇨🇦🤟
Love the band. Drinking music. Celtic rock and traditional. Down to earth and make you feel like they want to play when seeing them live. I always ended up way to drunk. Sorry you missed out
A shanty is a song with a steady rhythm that keeps the timing of a job that requires coordinated effort. It is typically pronounced more towards the front of the mouth like "can't"
First off this song should be sung with something like Memorial Day/Remembrance Day in mind. Second, you should have listened to the album version first since this live version needs context. Third this is a niche song that would do better with someone already familiar with Great Big Sea. Consequence Free would be a better introductory song
This song is about General Zachary Taylor. Who defeated Mexican General Santa Anna in the Mexican-American war in the late 1840s. General Taylor later became the 12th President of the USA. This a purely American song, even though GBS is an iconic Canadian Group.
It is a song about General Zachary Taylor who won the Melino Del Reyes War in 1947, he became US President in 1847 and died 1850. The songs a tribute. The east coast of Canada and East Coast US shared a lot of Shanties. But Breat Big sea is much more than shanties they are a great band. Try I"m going straight to hell it is a blast.
The verse that got the crowd fired up is not typically part of the song. But you get a crowd going when you talk about everyone having a pint of rum. The other part of that verse is the lead singer of this song, Sean McCann, was often referred to as the "shantyman", so he's basically saying to give him a barrel of rum (this did not age well as he later revealed his struggles with alcohol) The other song you thought of when you heard that is called The Wellerman, and has nothing to do with Great Big Sea
Really great live band. Pride of Newfoundland. The lead singer Alan Doyle starred with Russell Crowe in Robin Hood. Other songs are Ordinary Day, Consequence Free, Sea of No Cares and a killer live version of Its the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine).
Shanties are sailor's work songs....and have a simple rhythm designed for specific works like hauling ropes or anchors, turning capstans, or working pumps. Modern shanty singers tend to take liberties with the form to make them more musical or performative.
General Taylor, later President Zachary Taylor, was the 12th US President between 1849-50.... He was a national hero for his victories in the Mexican-American War and the prior Seminole War. He only served a little over a year before dying in office of a digestive malady, which may have been cholera. Sailors adapted a traditional shanty tune called "Stormaway" to honor Taylor's funeral....which became a popular work song.
I got to see them a few times before they broke up , they put on a real kitchen party !
'That Old Black Rum' is one of their best and favourites - so the crowd was reacting to the rum reference in the song
such a wonderful song of love and respect.
Saw them live years ago. Loved them ever since
Sea Shanties are working songs sailors would sing while working together on the ships to keep rhythm and time in order to make the job they were doing easier and less tedious. Some tell a story some don't. This one's origins seem to be obscure. The band isn't. Not in Canada anyway. They are a national treasure. They come from Newfoundland. A place where working the Sea has a long history and tradition.
The night that Paddy Murphy died is a good one too
The line "General Taylor gained the day" is referencing a victory of US General Zachary Taylor over Mexican General Santa Anna (of Santiana fame) during the Mexican-American War, likely at the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847.
I saw a lot of live shows.. Pantera, slayers, Garth Brooks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.. my favourite one was a 12$ cost show from Great Big Sea 👌 An amazing Canadian proud 🇨🇦🤟
Love the band. Drinking music. Celtic rock and traditional. Down to earth and make you feel like they want to play when seeing them live. I always ended up way to drunk. Sorry you missed out
I was at that show! By far their best version of the song
So glad you are giving great big sea a shot. Thanks, man. Look for more, lots funny, sad, nostalgic, very fun, live ain't as good.... but very close.
General Taylor is such an incredible sing along and so different from your every day pop/rock music. Great choice.
I love your videos ❤🔥 you are an amazing youtuber.
Seen the 6 times
Sadly not together anymore
Sean McCaan did this song with no mic at Ceasers casino in Windsor Ontario
Favorite memory of them
A shanty is a song with a steady rhythm that keeps the timing of a job that requires coordinated effort.
It is typically pronounced more towards the front of the mouth like "can't"
And yes, there's theater in their history
First off this song should be sung with something like Memorial Day/Remembrance Day in mind.
Second, you should have listened to the album version first since this live version needs context. Third this is a niche song that would do better with someone already familiar with Great Big Sea. Consequence Free would be a better introductory song
This song is about General Zachary Taylor. Who defeated Mexican General Santa Anna in the Mexican-American war in the late 1840s. General Taylor later became the 12th President of the USA.
This a purely American song, even though GBS is an iconic Canadian Group.
It is a song about General Zachary Taylor who won the Melino Del Reyes War in 1947, he became US President in 1847 and died 1850. The songs a tribute. The east coast of Canada and East Coast US shared a lot of Shanties. But Breat Big sea is much more than shanties they are a great band. Try I"m going straight to hell it is a blast.
Alan Doyle played guitar in Russell Crowe's band.
Alan is touring Australia with Russell's band Indoor Garden Party in May and June. My tickets are booked.
General Taylor, commander of US forces in the Mexican American war.
It's always been odd to me that I prefer Alan singing to Sean, but General Taylor is sitll my favorite GBS song.
Sea shanty sang at sea. Sounds very Irish
The verse that got the crowd fired up is not typically part of the song. But you get a crowd going when you talk about everyone having a pint of rum. The other part of that verse is the lead singer of this song, Sean McCann, was often referred to as the "shantyman", so he's basically saying to give him a barrel of rum (this did not age well as he later revealed his struggles with alcohol)
The other song you thought of when you heard that is called The Wellerman, and has nothing to do with Great Big Sea
sarcasm at its finest.
I think your reaction to Atlantis by Imperial Age would be interesting.
You have to be Canadian to understand them fully I suppose
Dig the bass vocals
Personally not my favourite GBS song but still great
a better introduction song would have "Great Big Sea - Mari Mac [Live]"
Consequence free is fun too
Or Donkey Riding
Irish drinking songs.
That was NOT the song for you to listen to see if you like the band. Its not even their best rendition of the song.