Greenland Whale Fisheries
"Greenland Whale Fisheries" is a traditional sea song. This song originated in the West Indies. In most of the versions collected from oral sources, the song opens up giving a date for the events that it describes (usually between 1823 and 1853). However, the song is actually older than this and a form of it was published as a ballad before 1725.[1] It has been given a Roud number of 347.[2]
The song tells of a
Like most
In the version popularized by
Folk singer Paul Kaplan recorded a song with the same tune under the title "Call Me the Whale". Following a similar chronology, it tells the story from the whale's perspective.[6]
Covered by The Dubliners on their 1969 album At Home with The Dubliners, and on the B-Side of their 1965 single, "Roisin Dubh".
Covered by Ryan's Fancy on their 1971 album Dark Island.
Covered by The Longest Johns on their 2024 album Voyage.
In the Futurama episode "The Birdbot of Ice-Catraz", Bender, in an ironic state of soberness, sings a snippet of the song.
The Greenland Whalefishers, a Celtic punk band from Norway, is named after the song.
References
- ^ R. Vaughan Williams & A.L. Lloyd (editors): The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, Penguin Books, 1959. p.115
- ^ "Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Roud 347 entry".
- ^ e.g. Vaughan Williams & Lloyd p.50. Version collected by Anne G. Gilchrist from the singing of W. Bolton, Southport, Lancashire, 1906
- ^ "Bahamas 1935: Chanteys & Anthems from Andros & Cat - Alan Lomax | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ Check-list of Recorded Songs in the English Language in the Archive of Folk Song, United States Work Projects Administration. District of Columbia - 1942,Page 435
- ^ Call Me the Whale Lyrics