June 2024 “Rolling Down to Old Maui”

Similar to “The Wellerman”, this shanty is a song about whaling! It was sung mostly during the sailors rest time, rather than active work, so it’s more like a sea song or fore bitter than an actual shanty.

Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii, and this song comes from the seas between the eastern tip of Russia and the western tip of Alaska. Whaling crews would leave the warmth of Hawaii behind to hunt in those icy waters, and they would sing this song as they thought about the women and friends that would be welcoming them back home.

The minor key of this shanty helps to describe the anguish and lamentation of life at sea. Indeed, it complains about whaling life more than other songs! During the chorus the song briefly changes to a major key, perhaps hinting at some hope mixed in with the suffering, before returning to the minor mood.

Come learn how to sing “Rolling Down to Old Maui” at our next Shanty Night!