Welcome to the song of the month!
On this page are the lyrics to
assist you in learning a new song,
to be sung at Faire, rehearsals, in the shower, wherever you like.
Press the button for a clip of
the first verse.
This month's song is
Did you ever see the Wild Goose
sailing over the ocean?
Ranzo, ranzo, way-hey
It's just like them pretty girls when they've got the notion.
Ranzo, ranzo, way-hey
As I were out one morning walking
down by the river,
Ranzo, ranzo, way-hey
I met a pretty, fine girl with her topsails all a-quiver
Ranzo, ranzo, way-hey
I said "My pretty, fine
maiden, how are you this morning?"
Ranzo, ranzo, way-hey
She said none the better for the seeing of you.
Ranzo, ranzo, way-hey
Did you ever see
the Wild Goose sailing over the ocean?
Ranzo, ranzo, way-hey
It's just like them pretty girls when they've got the notion.
Ranzo, ranzo, way-hey
This shanty is a traditional call and response shanty, and is recorded as having been used
at almost every shipboard job that could possibly benefit from a shanty. It is of uncertain notion, with Hugill citinga lack of convincing proof to the varying theories around it. Some believe Wild Goose referred originally to the flight of a significant portion of Ireland's army after England subdued the province under George III, or possibly from a similar occurence around 1750. Others place this as originating from the beginnings of the African slave trade. However it started, it evolved into a shanty similar to "Maid of Amsterdam" in story. In recent years however, the rougher edges have been smoothed off into the gentler (and much shorter) song above.As a call and response shanty, it benefits in performance from having one main singer acting as the "shanteyman (or woman)" while the rest of the crew sings choruses. Though short, the choruses do provide wonderful opportunity for harmony, and the slower pace of the song can make for a beautiful and touching song.