Unearthing New Voices: Fresh Sources on Shanties

Over the past month or so, I’ve been diving deep into the world of 19th-century shanties, tracing them not only through the familiar collections but also through contemporary reports that haven’t been given much attention before. What I’ve found has been thrilling: new shanties that have never appeared in modern discussions, and fresh perspectives that challenge some of the myths still lingering around shantying traditions.

It’s been a reminder that shanties were never static relics but living, working songs - shaped by the needs of sailors, the rhythms of the work and the cultural exchanges that happened at sea. Looking closely at contemporary sources has helped me peel back later romanticised versions and get closer to how these songs were actually used on board ships.

This research feeds directly into my upcoming book, From Ship to Screen: The Cultural Legacy of Sea Shanties, where I’ll be exploring not just the historical practices of shantying, but also how these songs have taken on a second life in popular culture, from stage to cinema to viral TikToks.

For now, I can say this much: the story of shanties is far from complete, and the more we look, the more voices we hear.

Stay tuned - I’ll be sharing more insights (and a few surprises) as we get closer to the book’s release.

Dr. Mollie Carlyle