Resources

This 1964 Folkways release, recorded and produced by Edith Fulton Fowke, is a collection of songs dealing primarily with sailing on the Great Lakes of North America. Fowke’s research relies heavily on stories and songs as recollected by descendants of former Great Lakes sailors. Available here.

From the Library of Congress: blog post that explores the history of behind Great Lakes sailing shanties, such as "The John B. Sails," "The Bigler," "Persian's Crew," "Red Iron Ore," and "The Clifton's Crew". Access here.

From the Library of Congress: blog post that explores the history and cultural significance of sea shanties. Provides links to audio, video, and texts of many songs in the American Folklife Center's collections. Access here.

In 1938 the Library of Congress dispatched the pioneering folklorist and song collector Alan Lomax to conduct a folk song survey of the Great Lakes region. Includes 250 instantaneous discs and eight reels of film documenting the incredible range of ethnic diversity and expressive traditions primarily in Michigan. Includes songs sung by Great Lakes seamen.

From Michigan Public Radio: ​This article highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Black sailors, who made up about 10% of Great Lakes crews, to maritime culture through their unique sea shanties. 

This guide provides an introduction to doing research on sea songs and shanties in the American Folklife Center collections. Recordings made along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as well as on various inland waterways of the United States provide documentation of the song traditions of mariners and those working on the water. Access here.