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JOHN KANAKA

(Lead vocal - Peter Kasin) This was a “long haul” chantey, used at the halyards for hoisting up the sails. Many Hawaiians worked aboard ships that sailed the Pacific, and were renowned for their excellent seamanship. English-speaking sailors often had difficulty pronouncing their names, however and so called them by the Hawaiian name "Kanaka," which means "Hawaiian Man." The lyrics "tu lai-e" also come from the Hawaiian language, and are a remnant of the chantey singing tradition of combining the music and language of different seafaring cultures.

I thought I heard the First Mate say
John Kanaka naka, tulai
e
You’ll work tomorrow, but not today
John Kanaka naka, tulai e


CHORUS
tulai e, oh, tulai e, oh
John Kanaka naka, tulai e,

I thought I heard the old man say
John Kanaka naka, tulai e

Today, today is a sailing day
John Kanaka naka, tulai e

CHORUS
tulai e, oh, tulai e, oh
John Kanaka naka, tulai e,

We’re outward bound from Frisco Bay
John Kanaka naka, tulai e

We’re outward bound at the break of day
John Kanaka naka, tulai e

CHORUS
tulai e, oh, tulai e, oh
John Kanaka naka, tulai e,

It’s rotten meat and weevily bread
John Kanaka naka, tulai e

In two months out you wish you were dead
John Kanaka naka, tulai e

CHORUS
tulai e, oh, tulai e, oh
John Kanaka naka, tulai e,

I thought I heard the Bosun say
John Kanaka naka, tulai e

It’s one more pull and then belay
John Kanaka naka, tulai e

(Make up your own verses…)


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