Songs chanted for the hard work aboard
ships. The form of the chantey is usually a
verse containing one or two "
call and response" lines, with a
chorus often coinciding with a pull or heave. A chanter would shout out words, with an emphasis on one
word or
syllable to pace the work. The
men would call out the chorus in
rhythm to their work (raising the
anchors, hauling
ropes, lowering
sails, etc.).
Nowadays best sung in large groups, as loud as possible, while slightly drunk.