19. Pirate Entertainment

Pirates were famous for creating and singing songs as they sailed.  These were known as Sea Shanties.  Captains often encouraged this, because it kept morale up and helped the sailors focus on their work. 

Music was a huge part of daily life aboard a pirate ship and a good musician or Shantyman would have no problem finding a ship willing to take him on as crew. Typically, the instruments involved with the music associated with piracy would have been a Melodeon (also known as a Concertina), Fiddle, Pennywhistle or Fife and Harmonica.  

Pirates would often dance.  It was a way to stay active aboard a cramped ship while having fun.  Pirates even created their own personal dances called Jigs.

Please discover the 18th and 19th century Fiddle, Pennywhistle, Harmonica and Melodeon on this stop.  Do you know any Sea Shanties you can sing for us now? Have you ever danced a Jig?