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Weel May the Keel Row is a Fo'c'sle Song which originated as a Traditional Tyne River Shanty. Its origins, history tells us, stretch back into the mists of time. In fact the Keelmen were transporting coal from the riverside to ships on the Tyne as early as the 1300s. And the song was almost certainly popular when Francis Drake was plying his youthful trade in these northern waters.

Since these early beginnings it has become universally accepted as a sea shanty, and as a folk dance. It has been described as 'typical in the repertoire of a ship's fiddler'. Once again Kathleen Ferrier has recorded a wonderful version of the song in her own inimitable style (Recordings are still available if you search around). And The Keel Row is included as a Reel in 4/4 time in the Folk Song and Dance Society handbooks. Our MusicSmiles' arrangement, for the record, is in 2/4 time and the key of E flat major.

As ever there several versions of the song - some of them built for seafarers!! Ours is a hybrid, but erring towards the Geordie offerings. We have included a couple of verses in the vernacular for those of us who love this County Durham accent. And also as a challenge for us to make the words fit the very famous tune. 

'Where is Sandgate and what is a keel row?' you may ask. Well . . . There is a street at the western end of the Newcastle Quayside called Sandgate - the one-time home of the unique keelmen. These were highly skilled boatmen who once sailed the River Tyne, transporting coal from the quays to awaiting ships. The keelmen took their name from their small vessels - called Keels, which could carry 20 tons of coal. The boat-name Keel almost certainly originated from its Anglo-Saxon predecessor of the 5th and 6th centuries called a Ceol. And presumably it could be rowed with oars (paddles?) or sailed if the winds were favourable.

The keelmen community is said to have originated from the raiding Scottish borderers and was very insular, intermarrying within their own population. The keelmen were tough, militant and resilient, in what was a very hard and dangerous occupation; and dressed in a distinctive blue jacket, belled trousers, and a black silk hat tied with a ribbon (alluded to in one of the vernacular verses) - all designed and made by their own tailors. All that remains of this way of life now is the name of the street and the songs, among which the most famous is The Keel Row. 

Hope you enjoy our MusicSmiles arrangement. Doesn't the whole style of the piece betray its Scottish origins somewhat?! Have a good sing (and/or dance) . . .

The Keel Row
(4 bars Intro)

Solo: As I came thro' Sandgate,
Thro' Sandgate,
Thro' Sandgate,
As I came thro' Sandgate
I heard a lassie sing:

chorus: "O, weel may the keel row,
The keel row,
The keel row,
O, weel may the keel row,
That m-y laddie's in.
(4 bars Intro)

Solo: Oh who is like my Johnny,
So leish, so blithe, so bonny?
He' foremost 'mong the mony
Keel lads o' Coaly Tyne.
(4 bars Intro)

chorus: "O, weel may the keel row,
The keel row,
The keel row,
O, weel may the keel row,
That m-y laddie's in.
(4 bars Speedy Intro)

Dance - getting faster . . .

Trust you have managed to get your breath back! If so here is a vernacular version of the same song:

The Keel Row
chorus: As I came thro' Sandgate,
Thro' Sandgate,
Thro' Sandgate,
As I came thro' Sandgate
I heard a lassie sing:

chorus: "O, weel may the keel row,
The keel row,
The keel row,
O, weel may the keel row,
That m-y laddie's in.

Solo: "O, wha's like my Johnnie,
Sae leish, sae blithe, sae bonnie?
He's foremost 'mang the mony
Keel lads o' coaly Tyne.

He'll set or row sae tightly,
Or, in the dance sae sprightly,
He'll cut and shuffle sightly,
'Tis true, were he not mine."

Chorus.

Solo: "He wears a blue bonnet,
blue bonnet,
blue bonnet,
He wears a blue bonnet,
A dimple in his chin.

And weel may the keel row,
The keel row,
The keel row,
And weel may the keel row,
That m-y laddie's in.

Chorus.

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