Знаменитая британская шанти 1624 года «Spanish Ladies». Во времена парусного судоходства шанти имели практическую ценность — их ритм помогал морякам синхронизировать темп своей совместной работы. Также они несли психологическую пользу — расслабляли и разгоняли скуку тяжелой работы. Благодаря их использованию команда также могла иносказательно высказать свое мнение о ситуации, не дав повода к наказанию от начальства. «Spanish Ladies» — типичная испанская гальярда (итал. gagliarda, фр. gaillarde — буквально «веселая», «бодрая») — старинный танец итальянского происхождения, распространённый в Европе в конце XV—XVII вв.
Текст: Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish Ladies, Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain; For we've received orders for to sail for old England, But we hope in a short time to see you again.
We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors, We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt sea. Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England; From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
We hove our ship to with the wind from sou'west, boys We hove our ship to, deep soundings to take; 'Twas forty-five fathoms, with a white sandy bottom, So we squared our main yard and up channel did make.
The first land we sighted was called the Dodman, Next Rame Head off Plymouth, off Portsmouth the Wight; We sailed by Beachy, by Fairlight and Dover, And then we bore up for the South Foreland light.
Then the signal was made for the grand fleet to anchor, And all in the Downs that night for to lie; Let go your shank painter, let go your cat stopper! Haul up your clewgarnets, let tacks and sheets fly
Now let ev'ry man drink off his full bumper, And let ev'ry man drink off his full glass; We'll drink and be jolly and drown melancholy, And here's to the health of each true-hearted lass.