Most people know "Blow the Man Down." Or "What Would You Do With A Drunken Sailor?" But there's a whole world of sea shanties and naval ballads out there.
Long Island Sound has a strong maritime history. New London, Connecticut was once the third-largest whaling port in the world. Both New London and neighboring Groton were bases for privateers during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. And all of those sailors had their own songs, whether they were sea shanties (music to work to), or naval ballads (heroic stories of great military leaders or famous battles).
In short, Long Island Sound was a hotbed of song. It still is, in some places. Outside the historic Avery Copp House in New London, about three dozen people gathered to sing those old songs. They were led in song by Geoff Kaufman, a folk singer who hosted this event in "call-and-response" style: he took the verses then taught the others the chorus.
Listen to Geoff Kaufman sing a verse of "Talcahuano Girls:"
