Wadham's Song

DESCRIPTION: Coast sailing pilot's guide "from Bonavista Cape to the Stinking Isles ... till Pilley's Point covers Syme's Stage." Directions on how to reach Notre Dame Bay from Bonavista
AUTHOR: R.N. Wadham
EARLIEST DATE: 1756 (cf. Greenleaf/Mansfield)
KEYWORDS: sea ship nonballad recitation sailor
FOUND IN: Canada(Newf)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Greenleaf/Mansfield 119, "Wadham's Song" (1 text)
Ryan/Small, p. 13, "Wadhams Song" (1 text)
ST GrMa119 (Partial)
Roud #5449
NOTES: According to GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador site, "although called a song it was always recited and there is no tune available"; Greenleaf/Mansfield heard it recited.
On the other hand, the Renaissance Dance site claims "Pilot verses were sailing directions sung to popular tunes ... Hugill [apparently not in Shanties from the Seven Seas] quotes [Wadham's Song] to the tune of 'I'll Tell me Ma', which is still well known." - BS
File: GrMa119

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