No 16 Reuben Ranzo

This shanty appeared in one of the earliest collections of shanties: “Music of the Waters“; an anthology put together by Laura Alexandrine Smith and published in 1888 by Keegan Paul, Trench & Co of London.. But..... Richard Runciman Terry gives four variants of the tune in “The Shanty Book Part 1“ published by Curwen & Sons of London in 1921. This is our version. Enjoy! 1 Oh, poor old Reuben Ranzo; Chorus: Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo! Oh, poor old Reuben Ranzo. Chorus: Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo! *** Repeat Chorus pattern in each verse. 2. Oh, Ranzo was no sailor; He shipped aboard a whaler. 3. Oh, Ranzo was no beauty; He could not do his duty. 4. So, they gave him nine and thirty; Yes, lashes nine and thirty. 5. Oh, the captain was a good man; He took him to his cabin. 6. Oh, he gave him wine and water; Rube kissed the captain’s daughter. 7. He taught him navigation; To fit him for his station. 8. Now, Ranzo, he’s a sailor; The chief mate of that whaler. 9. He married the captain’s daughter; And sails no mor