Rio Grande from Shower Chanteys by Chris Maden

“Rio Grande” is a capstan or windlass chantey, exclusively used for raising the anchor on an outward-bound trip. I first learned this song at the San Francisco chantey sing; my version is fairly close to that of Salty Walt and the Rattlin’ Ratlines.

According to Hugill, the place in question is Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, though his assertions should always be taken with a grain of salt. All the sources and all recordings I’ve ever heard badly mispronounce the place, as I do as well; it is always Rye-o Grand, never Ree-o Grahn-day. Sailors were generally abominable about furrin place names.

… for more notes, see http://music.maden.org/index.php?title=Rio_Grande

Singer of traditional songs and other stuff.

music.maden.org