It's Hard To Be A Shantyman (On Christmas) | The Longest Johns

[@jessinthegarden]

As a former theatre kid, full respect to the “crew.” This was delightful from start to finish, a perfectly adequate way to get a light and cheerful start to the holiday season. May it continue thusly for you all.

[@JHaven-lg7lj]

Wonderful 🎉

[@ProfesoraNut]

That's awesome, Jess! I've always a big theatre nerd at heart and did some in my teen years too.

[@drhandle4498]

My dad was a merchant sailor for 50 years - going through his papers, I found several menus for Christmas lunches when he was at sea, the earliest being from when he was a cadet with British India in 1955. Inevitably, there was Christmas pudding with Camperdown sauce. What is Camperdown sauce, you ask? I had no idea. But I found a recipe, and it includes this instruction for the ingredients: "All the booze from your cabinet - essentials: whiskey, brandy and rum, although others are welcome. You will notice that there are no set figures for the ingredients. It’s a make-it-up-as-you-go recipe, done by sight, smell and taste. Every year it’s a bit of a gamble. Good luck!" (It must've made a certain impression on him, because it turned up on much later menus, when he was Master and insisted on it.) So sailors are definitely capable of finding ways to have a certain amount of cheer when at sea for Christmas.

[@jessinthegarden]

Oh what an absolutely wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it! I do hope the boys will see it, I’m certain they would love it. (The writer in me is squirreling that recipe away for a special dose of flavor sometime.)

[@ProfesoraNut]

How can a song be achingly heartbreaking and uproariously funny at the same time?! 😆 Such ingenious songwriting.

[@kotori87gaming89]

As a IRL shantyman who is going to be at sea this christmas, all I can say is wow.

[@AubergineJacket]

This hits a little harder when I stop to think of poor Robbie all by his lonesome and unable to come visit the USA with the others!

[@everydayistacotuesday9847]

Humorous AND a banger? Astounding!

[@erxy6646]

My favourite christmas Song, I will soon start making my sailing license.

[@LizardSnapper]

Working in a school theatre this is the most relatable music video ever

[@scoutswell]

THE ONLY CHRISTMAS SONG IM GOING TO PLAY

[@OffsetSolidmusic]

Ah yes, it's time for Josh's annual Christmas cameo

[@Denley1526]

That is yet another BRILLIANT Christmas video. Well done everyone :) Great to see Josh again too.

[@Jay_The_Dwarf]

They have Josh in the video. All we need now is Anna and it would be a Christmas miracle :P

[@Cry_Havoc]

Adequate beyond belief! I desperately want to see the "Behind the Scenes" on this one, too!

[@KweektheGeek]

Revisiting this a year later and still amused by JD being the bashful kid at the end.😁

[@ClassicStudStudios]

Wanted to thank you guys with a small Christmas gift ^^ you’ve earned it, you lads have a great day

[@thelongestjohns]

Thank you so much! :)

[@Poptert48]

Someone get this poor shantyman a Christmas. He needs it immediately!

[@emhepri]

Yet another Brilliant performance in every aspect! 🎧. 🏴‍☠️

[@beetlejuiceblues12]

1:12 That switch and Robbie's expression cracked me up lmao This video did almost make me cry, actually. Gorgeous song

[@lacyhart2043]

So cool

[@designeddino]

Robbie: *Singing to his hearts content* Andy: *Aggressively puts on ear muffs*

[@NivMizzet13]

That was glorious! Now for the long con: I'd love to see you guys sing it again next christmas, except that time, our Shantymen has made it big, singing from a huge stage with a sold out crowd with everyone giving a standing ovation - that'll warm the heart!

[@gracet.]

love that Robbie's crown stayed intact this time after the tragedy in the Fairytale video

[@taliday56]

This is a great video and song, one of my new favorites

[@Namz011]

God I keep coming back to this song, so good

[@WandrikaVonRosenberg]

I've been avoiding this songs until now because I thought it would be too sentimental. Well, yes, I nearly cried... but it was from laughing. Thank you for the wonderful video.

[@TokyoBlue587]

This was the first song and video I saw of yours, and it completely sold me on your band, and I am a big fan!!

[@yasumedia9528]

I will think about the shantyman on Christmas :)

[@seanhollowood1151]

Funniest thing I've seen all week, and best reminder of those school plays ever.

[@simondm96]

Today wasn't great, but you made it so. I'm sitting here with a big smile on my face 😀

[@kathrynronnenberg1688]

Exceedingly adequate! Glad to see the crew putting on their proper PPE while operating that snow blower. Safety first! The wave effect with the scarves was a nice touch. Altogether charming and poignant.

[@AchanCham_]

I absolutely enjoyed the song and performance! The play setup was fantastic.

[@usul2542]

Another awesomely Adequate performance! I am now officially in the Christmas mood 👍😊

[@WitchWerewolfEdd]

This is actually really good! Would be interesting if you did a Thomas & Friends song like “Ode to Gordon” or “Toby”

[@kerryjgeorge]

Can't wait to update the Xmas playlist at work!

[@Eugene3331]

Guys, I want tabs of this on Christmaaaaas😁🥳

[@kevindonohue2912]

I'm sobbing. This was just so sad. Poor Robbie! And tell Josh I waved.

[@Cornishaich]

Well done all of you, perfect. Love from Ann and I have a great Christmas. XX

[@thewhale8835]

Instant Christmas classic. It’s unbelievable how every song they put out is amazing!

[@LadyxSalena]

9 times out of 10 I stop watching a song when the music ends. NOT TODAY. This made me laugh and smile, well done and I join the man in the audience in a standing ovation!😄

[@seraphimaschannel4001]

It's so awesome!! Thanks for a truly awesome shanty christmas carol 🥰

[@jeanrussell9248]

Brilliant! Utterly brilliant. You guys are the best.

[@SHDUStudios]

So good, you guys are the best.

[@elarwen]

Adequate!

[@kaymmigabriel1701]

mostly adequate, and the instrumental feels so comfy, love it

[@camothrowback1526]

Nice job guys. Clapping from a distance and giving a thumbs up. Merry Christmas from the States.

[@suzieq2535]

Oxford tonight was fab, however Shanty Man at Christmas was missing!! Said many a folk!! xxx

[@ApexBrachydios]

been listening to this one recently and I remembered that the music video was great, 10/10 even better than I remembered

[@sirrliv]

If I were over your side of the pond, I would be the enthusiastic beardy man in/as the audience. That was proper heartwarming and very well staged. Bravo, chaps. Very well done indeed. Great way to kick off the festive season.

[@klusek6213]

Greetings from Poland!

[@onkelburton8320]

October tenth!

[@uwepalmerodorado9112]

This is a beautiful Christmas carol. I will listen to it several times a day until Christmas and enjoy it. You are by far my favourite band, I look forward to every new song and album from you.

[@medleyshift1325]

The best part of the holiday season is the longest Christmas song!

[@mrs.allczech9185]

And.. This is what I needed to start listening to Christmas songs. Big fan over here! I cannot thank you enough for not making mainstream music 🥰

[@xyphious]

Beautiful, great song lads. Merry Christmas to you all

[@SeventhGate008]

I would watch a full shantyman christmas musical in a heart beat

[@taliday56]

I agree with you. I would literally love to get the the longest John’s to write music for a musical

[@steveallen3434]

A classic in the making 😆

[@MoonLitChild]

This was so incredible sweet. Wish I could have made more than one show when you were in the states!

[@markcarey5095]

This song for Christmas number 1! #longestjohnsxmasN1

[@jmbreece]

Love this one, guys! It will undoubtedly be my favorite Christmas 🎄 song this year! I was a "theater kid" many long years ago too, and loved the special affects, especially the seagulls! It brought Joy to our hearts!

[@glup128]

Fantastic video. I might start the Christmas now.

[@Xylophytae]

the name reminds me of the danish christmas song "Its Hard To Be a Nissemand" (christmas elf) its sung in a made up language where the ones singing just randomly switch between english and danish

[@chadford88]

Best Christmas song I’ve heard in ages!

[@JennAnnis]

🎄 A most adequate and lovely Christmas tune

[@Red-dz7qr]

Truly Adequate

[@bluegreen333]

Lovely! Loved seeing Josh too ❤️

[@GrandiaKnight]

Well time to start the campaign for this to become Christmas Number 1

[@silashutchison3107]

And here I thought I knew what to expect from the Longest of the Johns. Really appreciate how relentlessly original you are as artists while showing such respect to the history of the noble shanty. Two thumbs and a big toe way up lads.

[@merrylty7632]

It was AWESOME! I love everything about this video. The song, the play, the costumes!

[@darthlaurel]

Very fun.

[@okredcoat]

Yay a new song!

[@aitchw6200]

Love it! One of your best vids xxxx

[@solkatlol]

Ååååh, it's hard to be a nissemand

[@DaxTheOtter]

no'en can have free when its jul...

[@xenx7595]

amazing, well done guys

[@Krageesh]

What a MASTERPIECE! Is there... is there more?

[@Lord_Brocktree]

hahaha well done lads!

[@pattyannbeaven9287]

Another triumph! Well done to all concerned 🎉

[@Spineless-Lobster]

I’m starting to think this adequate performance can top the Jinglebell Rock performance from Mean Girls! It gave off the same vibe anyhow!

[@gavenace3667]

Genuinely amazing!

[@TheDelfinlady]

What a lovely video

[@MandibleBones]

That was really sweet, guys.

[@kashkara_8943]

Fabulous made me smile wonderful job

[@stephen3503]

This is superbly adequate! Many thanks for helping to spread some holiday cheer 😊

[@alvpyrola]

This was fantastic, I can't stop smiling 💕I think I have to watch it again before finishing this comment.. hang on.. 2nd watch. Smile still hanging on, and a few tears tried to join it. Loved it. The whole cast and crew was great, the props, the special effects. 10/10, well done, best Christmas play ever made! Such talented children💜

[@FerrisFareMusic]

Brilliant! I love the humour - and the song, of course. After teaching music and being responsible for Christmas Concerts for several decades, I can appreciate both the 'concert blooper' aspects, and the tongue-in-cheek acting. Bravo - love it! (And I was hoping someone would do 'the wave' at the end. LOL)

[@Grace-bx1eg]

What a delightful Christmas production from your little group! Vey nostalgic.

Brilliant acting and very "special" effects :)

[@redcognito3206]

Crowd fund to get the shantyman home for Christmas!

[@ThePsykoLP]

Amazing song, Great Video and the ending was so funny, cute and wholesome :D good job everyone involved!!

[@WaynettePorter]

Y'all have a magical power over me that very few people have. I'm WILLINGLY listening to a Christmas song before Dec 24th. I have a short list of songs that are technically Christmas themed that I will listen to any time of the year. And this one will be added to that list. The others are y'all's version of "Fairytale of New York", Weird Al's "The Night Santa Went Crazy (Extra Gory version)" and Sabaton's "Christmas Truce". There's are a couple others that if they pop up I usually skip them but if I am feeling lazy I'll listen to them, but they're not exactly carols so... A most adequate song.

[@kathleensnow9836]

Thanks for another sweet Christmas vid!

[@doublepegleg9755]

Hits a little close to home, beautiful stuff guys!

[@kangitankaska]

Absolutely love that song!!!! Thank you for this special gift from four of the Longest Johns I’ll ever know! You guys do not disappoint! More than adequate!

[@kingfisher9553]

great video

[@CindersSpot]

This is the silly stuff I've been missing in your more recent video clips, thanks for coming back to that!

[@RN-rl2du]

God speed

[@suzieq2535]

Brilliant!! Can't wait until Friday. Proper Christmas!!!

[@TheBestHuman]

this is nothing but wonderful

[@ClassicStudStudios]

Genuinely great! I’m a theatre student so I can appreciate the visuals! And the song is just wonderful and wholesome, I just imagine him sailing on a snowy night sipping frozen tea. You lot have a wonderful day ^^

[@camillaboe]

Love it!

[@ThomasLover10852]

Who needs some dumb bird in a tree when on the first day of Christmas my true love gave me this.

[@rose72545]

You can do a shanty-style cover of 'I Saw Three Ships.'

[@robertthegreek]

I second this.

[@anthonykoterbski5135]

Thirding this

[@TheInfinitySystem]

Fourthing this. Forthing? GO FORTH AND RECORD THIS COVER!

[@taliday56]

@@TheInfinitySystem Is this a threat? Do you have their family or something?

[@TheInfinitySystem]

@@taliday56 WTF? Where the hell did you get that from? Apparently you are unfamiliar with enthusiasm and the existence of wordplay? Or are you just particularly covered in rime today? Yeesh dude, chill.