View source for The Ryans and the Pittmans

{{Short description|Popular folk song of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada}}
"'''The Ryans and The Pittmans'''"<ref>The title is a bit of a puzzle. While "Pittman" is the main character of the song, there is no mention of anyone named "Ryan".</ref> is a popular [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]] [[folk song]]. It tells of the romantic entanglements of a sailor named Bob Pittman, and his desire to sail home to finally marry his "sweet Biddy". The song is also known as "'''We'll Rant and We'll Roar'''", after the first line of the chorus; however, this is also the name by which some foreign variants are known.
It is based on a traditional English [[Capstan (nautical)|capstan]] [[Sea shanty|shanty]], "[[Spanish Ladies]]", which describes headlands sighted on a sailor's homeward voyage through the [[English Channel]]. "Spanish Ladies" has a number of variants: [[New England]] whalers sang of "Yankee Whalermen", while their [[Pacific]] counterparts sang of Talcuhano{{clarify|date=August 2024|reason=Not [[Talcahuano]]?}} Girls. A more landlocked [[Drover (Australian)|drover's]] version surfaced in [[Australia]] as "[[Brisbane Ladies]]".
Verses 2, 8, 9, and 10 of the Newfoundland version are adapted from that of the whalers; the remainder were composed around 1875 by [[Henry LeMessurier|Henry W. LeMessurier]]. It was printed in ''Old Songs of Newfoundland'' (1912) by James Murphy. The places mentioned in the song are outports<ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#3215 ''outport'']: A coastal settlement other than the chief port of [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St John's]]</ref> in and around [[Placentia Bay]], Newfoundland.
The most famous recent version of the song was recorded by [[Great Big Sea]].
[[List of Republic of Doyle episodes#Season 2 (2011)|Episode 6 of season 2 (2011)]] of ''[[Republic of Doyle]]'' is named "The Ryans and the Pittmans".
==Text and music==
{{image frame|caption=Source<ref>[https://www.music-for-music-teachers.com/support-files/spanish-ladies-em.pdf "Spanish Ladies"], ''Music for Music Teachers''</ref>|content=
<score sound raw>
% From https://www.music-for-music-teachers.com/support-files/spanish-ladies-em.pdf "Spanish Ladies"
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chordNames = \chordmode { \global
s | e,2.:m\pp | e,:m | g, | b,:m |
e,:m | e,:m | g, | d, |
e,:m | d, | g, | b,:m | c, | b,:m | a,2:m b,4:m | e,2.:m \bar "||"
e,:m | e,:m | g, | b,:m | e,:m | e,:m | g, | d, | g, | d, | g, | b,:m | c, |
d, | a,2:m b,4:m | e,2.:m | e,:m | e,2:m \bar "|."
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b4 | e e fis | e2 e8 (fis) | g4 fis e | e8 (d) b4
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fis4 | g fis g | a g a8 a | b a g4 e | e8 (d) b4
b'8 a | g4 e e | e8 (d) b4 a | b g' fis | e2
b4^"Chorus" \bar "||" <e g,>4 <e g,> <fis a,> | <e g,>2 e8 (fis) | <g b,>4 fis e | <e fis,>8 (d) b4
b | <e g,> <e g,> <fis a,> | <e g,>2 fis4 | <g b,> a g | <fis a,>2
fis4 | <g b,> fis g | <a d,> g a | <b d,>4. a8 g e | <e fis,>8 (d) b4
b'8 a | <g c,>4 e e | <e a,>8 (d) b4 a | b g' fis |
<< { e2.~ | e } \\ { r8 b\p g b a fis | r b g b a fis } >> | <g e>2\ppp \bar "|."
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rightS = \relative c' { \global
b4 | e e fis | e2 e8 (fis) | g4 fis e | e8 (d) b4
b | e e fis | e4. e8 fis4 | g a g | fis2
fis4 | g fis g | a g a8 a | b (a) g4 e | e8 (d) b4
b'8 a | g4 e e | e8 (d) b4 a | b g' fis | e2
b8^"Chorus" b \bar "||" <e g,>4 <e g,> <fis a,> | <e g,>2 e8 (fis) | <g b,>4 fis e | <e fis,>8 (d) b4
b | <e g,> <e g,> <fis a,> | <e g,>2 fis4 | <g b,> a g | <fis a,>2
fis4 | <g b,> fis g | <a d,> g a8 a | <b d,> a g4 e | <e fis,>8 (d) b4
b'8 (a) | <g c,>4 e e | <e a,>8 (d) b4 a | b g' fis |
<< { e2.~ | e } \\ { r8 b\p g b a fis | r b g b a fis } >> | <g e>2\ppp \bar "|."
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b4 | e e fis | e e fis | g4 fis e | e8 (d) b4
b | e e fis | e4. e8 fis4 | g a g | fis2
fis4 | g fis g | a g a | b8 (a) g4 e | e8 (d) b4
b' | g4 e e | e8 (d) b4 a | b g' fis | e2
b4^"Chorus" \bar "||" <e g,>4 <e g,> <fis a,> | <e g,>2 e8 (fis) | <g b,>4 fis e | <e fis,>8 (d) b4
b | <e g,> <e g,> <fis a,> | <e g,>2 fis4 | <g b,> a g | <fis a,>2
fis4 | <g b,> fis g | <a d,> g a | <b d,> g e | <e fis,>8 (d) b4
b'8 (a) | <g c,>4 e e | <e a,>8 (d) b4 a | b g' fis |
<< { e2.~ | e } \\ { r8 b\p g b a fis | r b g b a fis } >> | <g e>2\ppp \bar "|."
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left = \relative c { \global \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'()
r4 | e8\pp b' r b r b | e, b' r b r b | g d' r d r4 | b,8 fis' r fis
r fis | e b' r b r b | e, b' r b r b | g d' r d r4 | fis,8 a r a
r a | e b' r b r b | d, a' r a r a | g d' r d r4 | b,8 fis'
r fis r fis | c g' r g r g | b, fis' r fis r fis | a, e' a4 <fis b,> | e8 g b4 b, \bar "||"
e,8\pp b' e b e b | e, b' e b e4 | g,8 d' g d g4 | b,,8 fis' b fis
b fis | e b' e b e b | e, b' e b e4 | g,8 d' g d g4 | d,8 a'
d a d a | g d' g d g4 | d,8 a' d a d a | g d' g d g4 | b,,8 fis' b fis
b fis | c g' c g c g | d a' d a d4 | a8 e' a4 <fis b,> | e,8 b' e g d4 | e,8 b' e g d,4 | e8 b' e4 \bar "|."
}
Brisbane = \lyricmode {
Fare -- well and a -- dieu to you, Bris -- bane la -- dies
Fare -- well and a -- dieu, you maids of Too -- wong
We've sold all our cat -- tle and we have to get a mov -- in'
But we hope we shall see you a -- gain be -- fore long.
We'll rant and we'll roar like true Queens -- land dro -- vers
We'll rant and we'll roar as on -- ward we push
Un -- til we re -- turn to the Au -- ga -- thel -- la sta -- tion
Oh, it's flam -- in' dry goin' through the old Queens -- land bush.
}
Spanish = \lyricmode {
Fare -- well and a -- dieu to you, Span -- ish la -- dies,
fare -- well and a -- dieu to you, la -- dies of Spain;
for we've re -- ceived or -- ders for to sail for Old Eng -- land,
but we hope in a short time to see you a -- gain.
We will rant and we'll roar like true Brit -- ish sail -- ors,
we'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt seas,
un -- til we strike sound -- ings in the chan -- nel of old Eng -- land:
from U-- shant to Scil -- ly is thir -- ty -- five leagues.
}
Ryans = \lyricmode {
My name it is Ro -- bert, they call me Bob Pitt -- man,
I sail in the \markup \italic I -- \markup \italic no with Skip -- per Tom Brown.
I'm bound to have Pol -- ly or Bid -- dy or Mol -- ly
as soon as I'm ab -- le to plank the cash down.
We'll rant and we'll roar like true New -- found -- land -- ers,
we'll rant and we'll roar on deck and be -- low,
un -- til we see bot -- tom in -- side the two sun -- kers
when straight through the Chan -- nel to Tos -- low we'll go.
}
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pianoPart = \new ChoirStaff <<
\new Staff = "right" \with { midiInstrument = "accordion" } \rightR %\rightS %\rightB
\addlyrics \Ryans %\Spanish %\Brisbane
\new Staff = "left" \with { midiInstrument = "accordion" } { \clef bass \left }
>>
\score {
<<
\chordsPart
\pianoPart
>>
\layout { }
\midi { \tempo 4=144 }
}
</score>}}
<poem>
My name it is Robert, they call me Bob Pittman
I sail in the ''Ino'' with Skipper Tom Brown
I'm bound to have Polly or Biddy or Molly
As soon as I'm able to plank the cash down.
''Chorus''
{{0|—}}We'll rant and we'll roar like true Newfoundlanders<ref>"Newfoundlanders" is pronounced ''new-f'n-LAND-'rs'' (rhymes with "understanders"); the vowel in the second and last syllables are neutral.</ref>
{{0|—}}We'll rant and we'll roar on deck and below
{{0|—}}Until we see bottom inside the two sunkers<ref>[http://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/azindex/pages/4809.html ''sunker'': A submerged rock over which the sea breaks]</ref>
{{0|—}}When straight through the Channel to [[Toslow]] we'll go.
I'm a son of a sea cook, and a cook in a trader<ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#5128 ''trader'']: A coastal vessel that visits small ports, buying fish or furs and selling meat, molasses, flour and other provisions</ref>
I can dance, I can sing, I can reef<ref>''reef'': Tie up or shorten a sail</ref> the mainboom,<ref>[https://www.thefreedictionary.com/mainboom ''mainboom'']: (Nautical Terms) the spar for the mainsail]</ref>
I can handle a jigger,<ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#2416 ''jigger'']: Unbaited, weighted hook used with a line to catch cod (or squid) by giving a sharp, upward jerk</ref> and cuts a fine figure
Whenever I gets in a boat's standing room.<ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#4642 ''standing – standing room'']: Compartment between the [[thwart]]s of an undecked fishing boat</ref>
''Chorus''
If the voyage is good, this fall I will do it
I wants two pounds ten<ref>''two pounds ten'': British currency. Until 1949 when it joined Canada, Newfoundland was British territory. Newfoundland adopted the [[Newfoundland dollar]] to replace the pound in 1865.</ref> for a ring and the priest
A couple of dollars for clean shirts and collars
And a handful of coppers to make up a feast.
''Chorus''
There's plump little Polly, her name is Goldsworthy
There's John Coady's Kitty and Mary Tibbo
There's Clara from [[Great Brule, Newfoundland and Labrador|Brule]] and young Martha Foley
But the nicest of all is me girl from Toslow.
''Chorus''
Farewell and adieu to ye girls of [[Isle Valen, Newfoundland and Labrador|Valen]]
Farewell and adieu to ye girls in the Cove
I'm bound to the westward, to the wall with the hole in<ref>''wall with the hole in'': the narrow entrance to Toslow Cove</ref>
I'll take her from Toslow the wide world to rove.
''Chorus''
Farewell and adieu to ye girls of [[St. Kryan's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. Kryan's]]
Of [[Little Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador|Paradise]] and [[Presque, Newfoundland and Labrador|Presque]], Big and Little Bona<ref>''Big and Little Bona'': Big Bona is properly called Great Bona on [[Placentia Bay]]. Little Bona was also a town on Placentia Bay. Both are now abandoned following the [[Resettlement (Newfoundland)|resettlement]] of the Newfoundland outports.</ref>
I'm bound unto Toslow to marry sweet Biddy
And if I don't do so I'm afraid of her da'.<ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#1198 ''da'':] Father; grandfather; respected elderly man</ref>
''Chorus''
I've bought me a house from Katherine Davis
A twenty pound bed from Jimmy McGrath<ref>The surname "McGrath" is pronounced "McGraw".</ref>
I'll get me a settle,<ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#4038 ''settle'']: A long, home-made wooden bench with arms and high back; an unupholstered couch</ref> a pot and a kettle
And then I'll be ready for Biddy, hurrah!
''Chorus''
O, I brought in the ''Ino'' this spring from the city,
Some rings and gold brooches for the girls in the [[Placentia Bay|Bay]];
I bought me a case-pipe<ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#751 ''case-pipe'']: meerschaum, from the protective case enclosing it</ref> – they call it a [[meerschaum]] –
It melted like butter upon a hot day.<ref>''melted like butter:'' Although the [[meerschaum]] itself does not melt, meerschaum pipes are usually coated with wax that could melt "like butter upon a hot day"</ref>
''Chorus''
I went to a dance one night at [[Fox Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador|Fox Harbour]],
There were plenty of girls, so nice as you'd wish;
There was one pretty maiden a-chewin' of frankgum<ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#1794 ''frankgum'']: (or Frankum) The hardened resin of a spruce tree, often used for chewing</ref>
Just like a young kitten a-gnawing fresh fish.
''Chorus''
Then here is a health to the girls of Fox Harbour
Of [[Oderin Island (Newfoundland and Labrador)|Oderin]] and Presque, Crabbes Hole<ref>''Crabbe's Hole:'' No town with this spelling, but there was a community of Crabb's Hole in Placentia Bay (now abandoned)</ref> and Brule
Now let ye be jolly, don't be melancholy
I can't marry all or in chokey<ref>[https://www.dictionary.com/browse/chokey ''chokey'']: prison</ref> I'd be.
''Chorus''</poem>
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
* [[List of Newfoundland songs]]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryans and the Pittmans, The}}
[[Category:Newfoundland and Labrador folk songs]]
[[Category:Great Big Sea songs]]
[[Category:Year of song unknown]]