October 2023 “Running Down to Cuba”

Running Down To Cuba is a very popular sea song that feels and sounds much like its shanty and work song counterparts. It was often sung by sailors as a sign of discontent with the current job, or situation on board, singing about better times and company in the ports of Cuba. This tune talks about sailing towards Cuba with a load of sugar, which of course is a little backward because Cuba was one of the largest exporters of sugar, so this might be a metaphor for having a pocket full of fresh coins. 

Many of the sailors who would take their shore leave in the countless saloons in places like Havana, Santiago, and Kingston, would spend their nights drinking rum, and enjoying the company of their fellow sailors and others who hung around in these saloons and bars. 

This tune was made popular by the 2013 video game Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, being sung by the sailors on the players ship while sailing around the Caribbean. The song was appropriate for the setting of the game, with Cuba being a central location in the game. Performed by Sean Dahger, Nils Brown and Micheal Schrey, who sang the majority of the shanties and sea songs for the game.

Come learn how to sing “Running Down to Cuba” at our next Shanty Night!