Songs Of Work & Entertainment From The Days Of Sail

Shanties, or chanteys, were the songs used by sailors in the Days of Sail (1818-1920) as their 'work songs.' Although the prime intent of the songs was to help coordinate the work onboard a ship, today music lovers can appreciate the beauty and originality of the verse and melody of such songs.

F'o'c'sle songs, or forebitters, were the songs sung for entertainment and were often reminiscent of the songs that were being performed on shore during the same time period. Many modern songwriters have also portrayed the romantic call of the sea, as well as the real hardships the sea can impose, in their contemporary writings.

'Forebitters were probably one of the only forms of entertainment available to the sailors on a regular basis,' says Waterbury resident Dave De Angelis. On Saturday, April 8, Mr De Angelis, a performer of traditional sea chanteys and contemporary sea music, will be the guest performer for the April incarnation of Newtown Coffee House.

Doors open at 7:30 for an hour of open mic for local musicians, and Mr De Angelis's performance will begin at 8:30 pm. Admission is $5 for adults (children under 12 are admitted free of charge), which includes the evening's entertainment and also coffee, soft drinks and home-baked desserts.

"We are in debt to the few collectors who had the foresight to preserve these songs for later generations," Mr De Angelis says of the works he performs. "They offer to us today a unique view of daily life on shipboard in the 19th and early 20th Centuries."

Mr De Angelis performs not only the traditional sea songs, but also spins an occasional yarn to enhance the enjoyment of the songs. An avid and meticulous researcher, he has spent much of his vacation time in research libraries throughout New England investigating and authenticating the differing versions of songs. Mr De Angelis explains that every song has a story and history and that each song can only really come to life when performed.

Sea chanteys were often improvised, with the chorus remaining constant. Lyrics could cover anything that interested men on a ship, from the sea to loneliness to drink to romance. A second kind of chantey was often sung while sailors were ashore (singing work songs while ashore was considered bad luck, Mr De Angelis explains). These were the popular folk tunes the sailors adapted to suit their tasks at hand, with a few new lyrics.

What began as a pastime of researching sea music has grown into what Mr De Angelis now calls "a serious hobby." He has performed this music on weekends in libraries and coffee houses across New England, including The Studio in Bethlehem and Bank Street Coffee House in New Milford. In 1995, Mr De Angelis was also a featured performer for First Night Norwalk festivities.

For additional information concerning Newtown Coffee House, call 270-8858. All ages are welcome.