To keep me going on this marathon mosaic I have been listening to sea shanties and work songs to motivate me!
As I have now reached the half way stage completing the 'Blanket Hall' a promenant building in the town, I would like to sing you a few verses of my favourite sea shanty as way of celebration at reaching this significant point.
Oh Santy Ana gained the day hoo-ray, Santy Ana ooh
Oh Santy Ana gained the day all on the plains of Mexico
Oh Mexico Oh Mexico hoo-ray Santy Ana ooh
Ooh Mexico Mexico where I must go
All on the plains of Mexico
Oh Them Liverpool girls aint got no comb hoo-ray Santy Ana ooh
they comb their hair with a kipper backbone hoo-ray ooh
all on the plains of Mexico
Times is hard and the wages low hoo-ray Santy Ana ooh
It's time for us to row and go Santy Ana ooh
Oh all on the plains of Mexico.
Now as it turns out according to the CD sleeve notes, this capstan shanty suggests Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana, far from gaining the day was defeated by General Taylor at Buena Vista in Feb 1847, in one of the decisive battles in the war between Mexico and the US. Many British sailors deserted their ships to to join Santa Ana's army. The shanty singers have reversed the run of history in their songs.
