Hilo, Boys, Hilo

DESCRIPTION: Halyard shanty. "The blackbird sang unto the crow, Ch: Hi-lo boys Hi-lo! I'll soon be takin' you in tow, Ch: Oh! Hilo somebody below." Other verses have the birds talking to each other or to the crew.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1961 (Hugill-ShantiesFromTheSevenSeas)
KEYWORDS: shanty worksong bird
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Hugill-ShantiesFromTheSevenSeas, pp. 254-255, "Hilo, Boys, Hilo," "Hilo, Come Down Below" (2 texts, 2 tunes) [AbEd, pp. 185-186]
Terry-TheShantyBook-Part1, #20, "Hilo Somebody" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #8291
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Crow Song (I)" (lyrics)
SAME TUNE:
Shallow Brown (II) (File: Hugi257)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Hilo Somebody Below
Hilo Somebody Hilo
NOTES [47 words]: Both [of Hugill-ShantiesFromTheSevenSeas's] versions are of Negro origin and likely began as cotton-hoosier's songs. - SL
Several verses, indeed, appear to be derived from "The Crow Song (I)." One suspects that this is an adaption of that for use at sea -- or perhaps the reverse. - RBW
Last updated in version 3.8
File: Hugi254

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