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Music of the Waters. 259 |
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Sir Walter Scott, in his " Rokeby," also alludes to this custom :—
" What gales are sold on Lapland's shore, How whistle rash bids tempests roar."
It has been said that "the genuine expression of popular feeling is always forcible, not seldom poetic ;" it certainly does seem that the truth of this is amply verified, as regards it being forcible, on board of a Russian man-o'-war, where a captain, if he be popular, will be tossed in the air, between a double line of sailors, in time with the following tune:—
FAVOURITE AIR ON BOARD OF A RUSSIAN MAN-O'-WAR. |
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It seems a strange custom, and I should think the implied compliment would scarcely be one to cause unmitigated pleasure to the recipient. Those songs that are used on board are mostly sung in alternate soli and chorus, and at the same time and in the same place as our chanties are used. The same song seems to serve for holystoning the
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