27 Best Sea Shanty Songs

“Fiddler’s Green” by Marc Gunn

Song Year: 2008

Part shanty and part Irish drinking song, “Fiddler’s Green” tells the story of a mythical seaman’s paradise, full of drinks and places to go fishing. In folklore, it was a place set apart for sailors who’d spent at least fifty years at sea. For all practical purposes, that meant their entire lives.

“Good Ship Venus” by Sex Pistols

Song Year: 1979

While the Sex Pistols have the most famous version of the song, the origin is thought to be older, possibly based on the loss of a real-life ship called the Venus around 1806.

The song version is a mix of shanty and drinking songs, getting increasingly lewd as it goes on. Most verses follow a limerick structure but occasionally depart from that instead of trying to stick too close to the perfect meter.

“Cape Cod Girls” by Bounding Main

Song Year: 2005

Also known as the Codfish Shanty, “Cape Cod Girls” is another shanty of unknown origin. The suspected creation is a North American sailor on the way to Australia, and it’s been largely sanitized from its original form.

This is a working song, so it heavily features the call-and-response design characteristic of sea shanty songs.

“Coast of High Barbary” by Joseph Arthur

Song Year: 2006

“Coast of High Barbary” is a flexible song, working as both a ballad and a shanty. Modern versions, like those of Joseph Arthur, occasionally focus on rock elements. Like many other shanties, many variations exist. However, the lyrics traditionally focus on the story of a sailing ship that encountered some pirates, then left them to drown for their crimes.

“Haul Boys Haul” by Johnny Collins

Song Year: 1998

“Haul Boys Haul” is a widely popular shanty, with versions from a great many performers. However, Collins’ version is widely considered one of the best, and the traditional lyrics focus on the life and occasional regrets of someone who chose life at sea.

“Lowlands Low” by Unknown

Song Year: 2021

Thought to come from the 19th century, “Lowlands Low” is a long-drag shanty used to help hoist a topsail. The music is thought to come from a comedic opera originally released in 1762, showing just how long some tunes can stay around.

“Magellan’s Expedition” by Alestorm

Song Year: 2022

Nobody does pirate music quite as thoroughly as Alestorm. While they’re best known for rock songs, they regularly dip into shanties as well, and “Magellan’s Expedition” is easily one of their best in this regard.

Top Sea Shanty Songs, Final Thoughts

Sea shanty songs often have startling staying power. Though not as famous as many pop songs, many shanties have been around for hundreds of years, and some are based on lyrics or tunes even older than that. They’re among the best songs for singing in groups, too, which makes them a great option for karaoke and parties.