As a former theatre kid, full respect to the “crew.” This was delightful from start to finish, a perfectly adequate way to get a light and cheerful start to the holiday season. May it continue thusly for you all.
My dad was a merchant sailor for 50 years - going through his papers, I found several menus for Christmas lunches when he was at sea, the earliest being from when he was a cadet with British India in 1955. Inevitably, there was Christmas pudding with Camperdown sauce. What is Camperdown sauce, you ask? I had no idea. But I found a recipe, and it includes this instruction for the ingredients: "All the booze from your cabinet - essentials: whiskey, brandy and rum, although others are welcome. You will notice that there are no set figures for the ingredients. It’s a make-it-up-as-you-go recipe, done by sight, smell and taste. Every year it’s a bit of a gamble. Good luck!" (It must've made a certain impression on him, because it turned up on much later menus, when he was Master and insisted on it.) So sailors are definitely capable of finding ways to have a certain amount of cheer when at sea for Christmas.
Oh what an absolutely wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it! I do hope the boys will see it, I’m certain they would love it. (The writer in me is squirreling that recipe away for a special dose of flavor sometime.)
That was glorious! Now for the long con: I'd love to see you guys sing it again next christmas, except that time, our Shantymen has made it big, singing from a huge stage with a sold out crowd with everyone giving a standing ovation - that'll warm the heart!
I've been avoiding this songs until now because I thought it would be too sentimental. Well, yes, I nearly cried... but it was from laughing. Thank you for the wonderful video.
9 times out of 10 I stop watching a song when the music ends. NOT TODAY. This made me laugh and smile, well done and I join the man in the audience in a standing ovation!😄
Exceedingly adequate! Glad to see the crew putting on their proper PPE while operating that snow blower. Safety first! The wave effect with the scarves was a nice touch. Altogether charming and poignant.
If I were over your side of the pond, I would be the enthusiastic beardy man in/as the audience. That was proper heartwarming and very well staged. Bravo, chaps. Very well done indeed. Great way to kick off the festive season.
This is a beautiful Christmas carol. I will listen to it several times a day until Christmas and enjoy it. You are by far my favourite band, I look forward to every new song and album from you.
Love this one, guys! It will undoubtedly be my favorite Christmas 🎄 song this year! I was a "theater kid" many long years ago too, and loved the special affects, especially the seagulls! It brought Joy to our hearts!
And here I thought I knew what to expect from the Longest of the Johns. Really appreciate how relentlessly original you are as artists while showing such respect to the history of the noble shanty. Two thumbs and a big toe way up lads.
the name reminds me of the danish christmas song "Its Hard To Be a Nissemand" (christmas elf) its sung in a made up language where the ones singing just randomly switch between english and danish
Brilliant! I love the humour - and the song, of course. After teaching music and being responsible for Christmas Concerts for several decades, I can appreciate both the 'concert blooper' aspects, and the tongue-in-cheek acting. Bravo - love it! (And I was hoping someone would do 'the wave' at the end. LOL)
This was fantastic, I can't stop smiling 💕I think I have to watch it again before finishing this comment.. hang on.. 2nd watch. Smile still hanging on, and a few tears tried to join it. Loved it. The whole cast and crew was great, the props, the special effects. 10/10, well done, best Christmas play ever made! Such talented children💜
Absolutely love that song!!!! Thank you for this special gift from four of the Longest Johns I’ll ever know! You guys do not disappoint! More than adequate!
Y'all have a magical power over me that very few people have. I'm WILLINGLY listening to a Christmas song before Dec 24th. I have a short list of songs that are technically Christmas themed that I will listen to any time of the year. And this one will be added to that list. The others are y'all's version of "Fairytale of New York", Weird Al's "The Night Santa Went Crazy (Extra Gory version)" and Sabaton's "Christmas Truce". There's are a couple others that if they pop up I usually skip them but if I am feeling lazy I'll listen to them, but they're not exactly carols so... A most adequate song.
Genuinely great! I’m a theatre student so I can appreciate the visuals! And the song is just wonderful and wholesome, I just imagine him sailing on a snowy night sipping frozen tea. You lot have a wonderful day ^^
*LYRICS - It’s Hard To Be A Shantyman (On Christmas) - The Longest Johns* It's Christmastime… There's silence on the sea. It's Christmastime… The bag's frozen in my tea, and all I want is something else to do, than get lashed with me crew, it’s hard to be a shantyman on Christmas… I should've known… My letters were in vain. 'Cause Santa's sleigh, won't brave this shipping lane. Frozen ropes are all I have to hold, but nothing feels so cold, as being a shantyman on Christmas… I have the deck but there's no halls, no carols like a siren's call, no deer in sight, but rain it pours in droves… All year it's haul and pull and hoist, I'm losing hope; I've lost my voice, I sure could use some Christmas cheer back home… But alas, it's Christmastime… I fear just like the last, put up my lights, and tinsel 'round the mast… Grin and try to find some Yuletide cheer… But I can't find it here, it’s hard to be a shantyman on Christmas… Woe is me, the shantyman on Christmas… So think about the shantyman this Christmas…
As a former theatre kid, full respect to the “crew.” This was delightful from start to finish, a perfectly adequate way to get a light and cheerful start to the holiday season. May it continue thusly for you all.
Wonderful 🎉
That's awesome, Jess! I've always a big theatre nerd at heart and did some in my teen years too.
How can a song be achingly heartbreaking and uproariously funny at the same time?! 😆 Such ingenious songwriting.
My favourite christmas Song, I will soon start making my sailing license.
This hits a little harder when I stop to think of poor Robbie all by his lonesome and unable to come visit the USA with the others!
As a IRL shantyman who is going to be at sea this christmas, all I can say is wow.
Humorous AND a banger? Astounding!
My dad was a merchant sailor for 50 years - going through his papers, I found several menus for Christmas lunches when he was at sea, the earliest being from when he was a cadet with British India in 1955. Inevitably, there was Christmas pudding with Camperdown sauce. What is Camperdown sauce, you ask? I had no idea. But I found a recipe, and it includes this instruction for the ingredients:
"All the booze from your cabinet - essentials: whiskey, brandy and rum, although others are welcome. You will notice that there are no set figures for the ingredients. It’s a make-it-up-as-you-go recipe, done by sight, smell and taste. Every year it’s a bit of a gamble. Good luck!" (It must've made a certain impression on him, because it turned up on much later menus, when he was Master and insisted on it.)
So sailors are definitely capable of finding ways to have a certain amount of cheer when at sea for Christmas.
Oh what an absolutely wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it!
I do hope the boys will see it, I’m certain they would love it.
(The writer in me is squirreling that recipe away for a special dose of flavor sometime.)
THE ONLY CHRISTMAS SONG IM GOING TO PLAY
Working in a school theatre this is the most relatable music video ever
Adequate beyond belief! I desperately want to see the "Behind the Scenes" on this one, too!
That is yet another BRILLIANT Christmas video. Well done everyone :) Great to see Josh again too.
They have Josh in the video. All we need now is Anna and it would be a Christmas miracle :P
Ah yes, it's time for Josh's annual Christmas cameo
So cool
Someone get this poor shantyman a Christmas. He needs it immediately!
That was glorious! Now for the long con: I'd love to see you guys sing it again next christmas, except that time, our Shantymen has made it big, singing from a huge stage with a sold out crowd with everyone giving a standing ovation - that'll warm the heart!
love that Robbie's crown stayed intact this time after the tragedy in the Fairytale video
Yet another Brilliant performance in every aspect! 🎧. 🏴☠️
This is a great video and song, one of my new favorites
Revisiting this a year later and still amused by JD being the bashful kid at the end.😁
Wanted to thank you guys with a small Christmas gift ^^ you’ve earned it, you lads have a great day
Thank you so much! :)
I've been avoiding this songs until now because I thought it would be too sentimental. Well, yes, I nearly cried... but it was from laughing. Thank you for the wonderful video.
been listening to this one recently and I remembered that the music video was great, 10/10 even better than I remembered
God I keep coming back to this song, so good
Guys, I want tabs of this on Christmaaaaas😁🥳
1:12 That switch and Robbie's expression cracked me up lmao
This video did almost make me cry, actually. Gorgeous song
9 times out of 10 I stop watching a song when the music ends. NOT TODAY. This made me laugh and smile, well done and I join the man in the audience in a standing ovation!😄
Exceedingly adequate!
Glad to see the crew putting on their proper PPE while operating that snow blower. Safety first!
The wave effect with the scarves was a nice touch. Altogether charming and poignant.
Today wasn't great, but you made it so. I'm sitting here with a big smile on my face 😀
Funniest thing I've seen all week, and best reminder of those school plays ever.
I will think about the shantyman on Christmas :)
I absolutely enjoyed the song and performance! The play setup was fantastic.
Well done all of you, perfect. Love from Ann and I have a great Christmas. XX
Another awesomely Adequate performance! I am now officially in the Christmas mood 👍😊
Instant Christmas classic. It’s unbelievable how every song they put out is amazing!
If I were over your side of the pond, I would be the enthusiastic beardy man in/as the audience. That was proper heartwarming and very well staged. Bravo, chaps. Very well done indeed. Great way to kick off the festive season.
Nice job guys. Clapping from a distance and giving a thumbs up. Merry Christmas from the States.
The best part of the holiday season is the longest Christmas song!
So good, you guys are the best.
It's so awesome!! Thanks for a truly awesome shanty christmas carol 🥰
This is a beautiful Christmas carol. I will listen to it several times a day until Christmas and enjoy it. You are by far my favourite band, I look forward to every new song and album from you.
Robbie: *Singing to his hearts content*
Andy: *Aggressively puts on ear muffs*
Can't wait to update the Xmas playlist at work!
Oxford tonight was fab, however Shanty Man at Christmas was missing!! Said many a folk!! xxx
Brilliant! Utterly brilliant. You guys are the best.
I'm sobbing. This was just so sad. Poor Robbie! And tell Josh I waved.
October tenth!
I would watch a full shantyman christmas musical in a heart beat
I agree with you. I would literally love to get the the longest John’s to write music for a musical
mostly adequate, and the instrumental feels so comfy, love it
Love this one, guys! It will undoubtedly be my favorite Christmas 🎄 song this year! I was a "theater kid" many long years ago too, and loved the special affects, especially the seagulls! It brought Joy to our hearts!
Beautiful, great song lads. Merry Christmas to you all
This was so incredible sweet. Wish I could have made more than one show when you were in the states!
And here I thought I knew what to expect from the Longest of the Johns. Really appreciate how relentlessly original you are as artists while showing such respect to the history of the noble shanty. Two thumbs and a big toe way up lads.
And.. This is what I needed to start listening to Christmas songs. Big fan over here! I cannot thank you enough for not making mainstream music 🥰
This is actually really good! Would be interesting if you did a Thomas & Friends song like “Ode to Gordon” or “Toby”
the name reminds me of the danish christmas song "Its Hard To Be a Nissemand" (christmas elf) its sung in a made up language where the ones singing just randomly switch between english and danish
Fantastic video. I might start the Christmas now.
It was AWESOME! I love everything about this video. The song, the play, the costumes!
Greetings from Poland!
Well time to start the campaign for this to become Christmas Number 1
Love it! One of your best vids xxxx
Best Christmas song I’ve heard in ages!
Brilliant! I love the humour - and the song, of course. After teaching music and being responsible for Christmas Concerts for several decades, I can appreciate both the 'concert blooper' aspects, and the tongue-in-cheek acting. Bravo - love it! (And I was hoping someone would do 'the wave' at the end. LOL)
A classic in the making 😆
This is superbly adequate! Many thanks for helping to spread some holiday cheer 😊
I’m starting to think this adequate performance can top the Jinglebell Rock performance from Mean Girls! It gave off the same vibe anyhow!
This was fantastic, I can't stop smiling 💕I think I have to watch it again before finishing this comment.. hang on..
2nd watch. Smile still hanging on, and a few tears tried to join it. Loved it. The whole cast and crew was great, the props, the special effects. 10/10, well done, best Christmas play ever made! Such talented children💜
Absolutely love that song!!!! Thank you for this special gift from four of the Longest Johns I’ll ever know! You guys do not disappoint! More than adequate!
Y'all have a magical power over me that very few people have. I'm WILLINGLY listening to a Christmas song before Dec 24th. I have a short list of songs that are technically Christmas themed that I will listen to any time of the year. And this one will be added to that list. The others are y'all's version of "Fairytale of New York", Weird Al's "The Night Santa Went Crazy (Extra Gory version)" and Sabaton's "Christmas Truce". There's are a couple others that if they pop up I usually skip them but if I am feeling lazy I'll listen to them, but they're not exactly carols so... A most adequate song.
Who needs some dumb bird in a tree when on the first day of Christmas my true love gave me this.
Adequate!
Lovely! Loved seeing Josh too ❤️
What a delightful Christmas production from your little group! Vey nostalgic.
Very fun.
This is the silly stuff I've been missing in your more recent video clips, thanks for coming back to that!
Brilliant!! Can't wait until Friday. Proper Christmas!!!
Fabulous made me smile wonderful job
Thanks for another sweet Christmas vid!
amazing, well done guys
Amazing song, Great Video and the ending was so funny, cute and wholesome :D good job everyone involved!!
🎄 A most adequate and lovely Christmas tune
Genuinely great! I’m a theatre student so I can appreciate the visuals! And the song is just wonderful and wholesome, I just imagine him sailing on a snowy night sipping frozen tea. You lot have a wonderful day ^^
Another triumph! Well done to all concerned 🎉
Yay a new song!
That was really sweet, guys.
This song for Christmas number 1! #longestjohnsxmasN1
Crowd fund to get the shantyman home for Christmas!
Genuinely amazing!
Hits a little close to home, beautiful stuff guys!
Perfection! Thanks for the early christmas present
Truly Adequate
another great song. thanks guys, it'll be the perfect soundtrack this Christmas.
*LYRICS - It’s Hard To Be A Shantyman (On Christmas) - The Longest Johns*
It's Christmastime… There's silence on the sea. It's Christmastime… The bag's frozen in my tea, and all I want is something else to do, than get lashed with me crew, it’s hard to be a shantyman on Christmas… I should've known… My letters were in vain. 'Cause Santa's sleigh, won't brave this shipping lane. Frozen ropes are all I have to hold, but nothing feels so cold, as being a shantyman on Christmas… I have the deck but there's no halls, no carols like a siren's call, no deer in sight, but rain it pours in droves… All year it's haul and pull and hoist, I'm losing hope; I've lost my voice, I sure could use some Christmas cheer back home… But alas, it's Christmastime… I fear just like the last, put up my lights, and tinsel 'round the mast… Grin and try to find some Yuletide cheer… But I can't find it here, it’s hard to be a shantyman on Christmas…
Woe is me, the shantyman on Christmas… So think about the shantyman this Christmas…
I love this song a lot and I'v only heard it twice. I can tell it's gonna hold a special place in my heart in this season and in the following years
What a MASTERPIECE! Is there... is there more?
this is nothing but wonderful
What a lovely video
hahaha well done lads!
I'm sat grinning like an idiot at work 😅 so thanks for the smile guys! Brilliant song and adorably funny video to match. Merry Christmas! 🎅🏻❄️🎄🍻
Brilliant acting and very "special" effects :)
Ååååh, it's hard to be a nissemand
no'en can have free when its jul...