Roll Northumbria - The Dreadnoughts (SEA SHANTY) Cover

[@ColmRMcGuinness]

Name your pirate crew! GO!

[@okredcoat]

The Bill Family. Everyone must have the "Bill" last name, or have the first name "Bill" or "William"

[@Msalehcit]

The Finely Sweatered Scallywags?

[@zoristructure577]

the creed of QUACK as me and my crew attempt to hunt the dreaded moby duck and live to tell the tale

[@delhimisedelcoda8716]

The Armidian Swords. This is based off of my Sea of Thieves sloop.

[@9NEJ6]

The Windjammers

[@jonathanymusic]

YEAHHHH LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@dechskaison2497]

Hey Jon. Thanks for introducing me to this dude.

[@andresbastidas5506]

DAAAAAMN BOIIII

[@meercat666]

Your turn next Johnny plz.

[@OneTrueWindfall]

@@dechskaison2497 did I miss a collab?

[@beybladerkid5489]

@@dechskaison2497 for me it twas the opposite.

[@hats1642]

The Esso Northumbria was an enormous oil tanker built at Wallsend by state commission to carry crude oil from the Persian Gulf around Africa to Britain in response to the Suez Crisis and Egypt denying British ships access to the Suez Canal. Her design was effectively a scaled-up version of existing designs, which introduced a number of unforeseen structural problems as she was at the time the largest ship ever constructed in Britain. She was also constructed on a tight budget to a fixed-price contract, and there were major cut corners in her construction. The story told in the song, of an oil spill and fire at sea, never actually happened. However, the Northumbria required frequent repairs and only served for 12 years before being retired due to fears of a minor spill. She was broken up in Taiwan starting in 1982, followed by her Sister ship Hibernia not long after.

[@theechoofreality1303]

I just want to pay a moment of respect for the Irishman who had to sing about how he loves the British Empire without visibly cringing. That’s an almost impossible feat! Kudos.

[@chrismoore7365]

Technically, it's a satirical piece about the fall of the British Empire from the POV of the working class.

[@tristanmitchell1242]

At least it isn't Rule Britannia?

[@Alkonium]

The song's not even British. It's Canadian and it was first released in 2019.

[@Kaiserboo1871]

@@chrismoore7365 Not really, it’s about the decommissioning of a war ship.

[@Gnomleif]

@@Kaiserboo1871 Then why does the lyrics say "she was the _tanker_ to outsize them all"? And mention hauling "the black tar?" Not to mention that there was a tanker named "Esso Northumbria" that was built at Tyneside and was decommissioned after only 12 years due to technical issues and stress cracks in the hull. Unlike the song it wasn't involved in any oil spills, but the fear of it and ongoing technical issues made the owners retire it relatively quickly anyway.

[@ChaosAndMayhemTV]

For those that might not know, this song was written about the Esso Northumbria, an Esso Corporation oil tanker that was launched in 1969 and broken up in 1982.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

A modern sea shanty you say??

[@ChaosAndMayhemTV]

@@marvinthemaniac7698 in essence!

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

​@@ChaosAndMayhemTVaye! Ye know yer history matey.

[@blackbirdk711]

his low notes are so unique and giving me chills al over my body.

[@sonyahannah]

I call it his "beast mode."

[@brianivany584]

He's got that growl... which just tells me he has shite tons of power behind them.

[@RedCascadian]

Any time I listen to his rendition of Foggy Dew I remember getting my ass kicked by the pitch shifts in my voice class. So I sang Fischia il Vento instead.

[@papercamera2989]

The lyrics if you want them (I just copy and pasted from google): 'Twas late '65 at the old Wallsea Yard Where she was commissioned to haul the black tar We built the Northumbria there on the bar Roll Northumbria, roll For when the Egyptians they closed the Red Sea The call came on high from the powers that be To build a royal monster right down the quay Roll Northumbria roll, me boys Roll Northumbria, roll Carpathia Vengeance Celestial call She was the tanker to outsize 'em all From the banks of the Mersey To the port of Hulal Roll Northumbria, roll And fair princess Anne threw a bottle of wine And watched as the giant set down in the Tyne What lay ahead could no mortal divine Roll Northumbria roll, me boys Roll Northumbria, roll And it's one for the hot sun above Two for the empire we love And it's three for the fire that burns down below Roll on Northumbria Roll Northumbria, roll So come all you good workman Beware the command That comes down on high from the desk of a man Who's never held steel or torch in his hands Roll Northumbria, roll For atop a wild breaker the cracks in her frame Spilled her black guts all across the wild main She limped away through an ocean of flame Roll Northumbria roll, me boys Roll Northumbria, roll And it's one for the hot sun above Two for the empire we love And it's three for the fire that burns down below Roll on Northumbria Roll Northumbria, Roll

[@paxbandito3939]

Thanks!

[@TheRealSkeletor]

7th line should be "To build a royal monster right down on the quay", but otherwise great!

[@dechskaison2497]

Appreciated

[@comradewindowsill4253]

@@TheRealSkeletor he sings "right down TO the quay"

[@TheRealSkeletor]

@@comradewindowsill4253 Well, that's incorrect.

[@aapayson]

"ROOOLLLLLLLL" (windows rattling)

[@ronin2827]

God, did that low note catch me off guard. Don't get me wrong, I know Colm can get real low, but he isn't known for drops like that. So count me SHOOKETH!

[@Tzizenorec]

If you mean 2:30 - that was obviously meant to be shocking. He didn't just sing a low note; he _interrupted_ the song to sing one word in a completely different tone of voice.

[@panda_named_bob2981]

The fact this isn't on spotify is criminal.

[@Ashen_Engineer]

Coming “soon” to Spotify

[@jasonlane7743]

As a Canadian I'm proud of our contributions to this channel. Still waiting on some Great Big Sea, though. If you’re taking suggestions on that front.. you would absolutely nail River Driver, A Boat Like Gideon Brown, Chemical Worker’s Song and The Night Pat Murphy Died 🫡

[@Madlermeow13]

He did Row Me Bully Boys by Alan Doyle, so kind of GBS!

[@taylormckinnon8922]

amen to River Driver!!!

[@criticalxace4741]

Totally agree! Would love to hear Chemical Worker's Song especially!

[@Laarify]

@@Madlermeow13 Sleeping in the Cold Below is also written by Alan Doyle

[@redcastlebowser4179]

rocks of Merasheen would be nice

[@grimwriter9763]

HECK YEAH!!! Y'all have no idea how eagerly I've waited for this one!!! A preemptive tip of the hat to you Cap'n, for what will, I am confident, be another magnificent cover!

[@TheCreepyCoroner]

Guess I'll be in chat for 23 hours hahah

[@IoanCenturion]

All your stuff is good but holy crap Colm, this is the perfect song for your voice, the performance has got such energy. Fantastic, keep it coming!

[@Rahck92]

quite cool when i’m northumbrian

[@yamijackie1738]

Thank you for the amazing music I was listening to this song as I arrived at the wrong location of the interview late. Walked my anxiety ass over to the correct location. My face beat red, my legs were cramping, and nearly in tears with the stress of the situation. In a damn dress too. Despite all these horrible marks of a bad interview. I still got the job. :)

[@ColmRMcGuinness]

🔥🔥🔥👑👑👑 Let’s GOOOOO!!!

[@KecS]

Congratulations. 🎉👏

[@yamijackie1738]

Thank you all! Also Update: love my job and I get to play your music on my phone! ❤❤

[@KecS]

@@yamijackie1738 I am so happy for you 🫶

[@jplayzow]

@@yamijackie1738 like the song said what lay ahead could no mortal divine lmao

[@Geth-Who]

Northumbria was built in my hometown! Singing WAY along with this one.

[@inferno7076]

Yesss! More shanties! I don't know why but I love them, they sound perfect for friends sitting around the fireplace:)

[@WhitzWolf92]

Funny, that's the opposite sort of environment from where shanties originated. They were originally devised as a way to keep sailors (and other work crews) motivated and in-step (when that mattered). Nowadays, of course, the term evolved to encompass a far wider variety. 'Roll Northumbria' is a great example of that broadening, given how slow and chill it is (at least, as performed by the Dreadnaughts - Colm might hit us with a curveball and crank up the tempo) compared to something like 'Drunken Sailor' or 'Fish in the Sea'.

[@inferno7076]

@@WhitzWolf92 thx for the trivia👍 I guess they can be used in both situations

[@traditionalfolkmusic9709]

I'm a huge fan of your music, I watch all of your videos. And I can say that this video is the best you've ever produced. Everything from the arrangement to the singing is perfection. I was captivated, enthralled, and in awe the entire time.

[@ColmRMcGuinness]

Thank you so much! I tried not just sticking to my usual lineup of instruments for it!

[@TheJoker-tn9bx]

@@ColmRMcGuinness bro add this to Spotify please

[@XXassasinzX]

This, Marengo and Joli Rogue are all in my top 10 modern shanties/folk songs. Very damn excited for this. It's going to be awesome!

[@erykweber3808]

During the pandemic lockdown, there was a period of about 6 months where my work (a library) was closed to the public, but we were still working. I would sometimes sing Joli Rouge to pass the time, got a few of my coworkers to join in. Such a good song.

[@XXassasinzX]

@@erykweber3808 Love it! It's an absolute tune! That or 'Roll The Old Chariot' (Drop of Nelson's) are my usual go to's for campfires/pub singing these days. If I've got a more experienced/eager crowd I'll do 'On the Railroad' by the Longest John's (who are my absolute favourite *adequate* lads) because it's fun to get everyone tripping over their words etc

[@TheRealSkeletor]

@@XXassasinzX On the topic of getting people tripping over their words, don't forget Mari Mac by Great Big Sea!

[@sharcc2511]

I audibly gasped when I saw this in my reccomendations. Colm singing stuff from the Dreadnoughts was not something I expected, but my god I needed it.

[@annamikheeva753]

Day when Siberian refugee in Argentina is sitting and waiting for Canadian song from Irish

[@Swindle1984]

I admire Colm's dedication to cable knit sweaters.

[@Flazius]

So happy to hear a much deeper and grittier song than what you usually do. This is a great fit for your talents!

[@MusicFreak0426]

Holy cow, this has to be the best version I’ve heard straight from the first second, literally started the video and was shocked with a shiver to my spine with that amazingly haunting and powerful opening!

[@biozadkiel]

2:30 seriously the most powerful eb1 bass i have ever heard i really almost passed out with this part you are amazing

[@decayingking____523]

The dreadnoughts are slept on glad u did a cover one id love to hear you do is cruel wars by them

[@hithedragon7842]

That would be great

[@user-ur4nl6dq2x]

OF COURSE COLM CAN PLAY AN ACCORDIAN...man you are a musical beast 😎😘

[@Sorchia56]

That he is!

[@WalnutBun]

Bit late but I'm pretty sure that's actually a concertina

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

​@WalnutBun it is. What he was playing was a concertina, not an accordion.

[@kayleetaracartwright3421]

He plays a number of instruments, if you notice. Truly a talented man.

[@llynch8056]

I love this one! The Dreadnoughts are amazing! Knew you could do a great job with Northumbria. Dear old Stan as a Canadian is probably my favorite of their's.

[@TheRealSkeletor]

They also have two excellent covers of OId Maui, and one great cover of The Northwest Passage!

[@llynch8056]

@@TheRealSkeletor I like those covers too! I do think Colm's are a little better and "The Last Length" has such great Stan Rogers vibes.

[@bullreeves1109]

This is easily one of my favorite Shanties of all time. Look forward to it!

[@jimg.8120]

Sad I missed the premier but happy my ears have once again been blessed with Colms voice

[@nathanrood865]

One dragon slayer to rule them all, and Colm is his name! Great story telling and arrangement/cover sir!

[@caleb_güero]

Thank you. As a former seaman whom turned to Worker-first politics, and whom lost his best friend to the darkness of the abyss after our life here, it makes me happy to see The Republic of Ireland be the one voice of reason over and over again, and her people be the first to share songs like this. I love you, man.

[@Panamaniac3D]

2:31 The power! I fell down and onto the ground. Couldn’t stop myself.

[@pjnathaniel5445]

I was not ready for 2:31!! That shook me!!

[@Raskol895]

I love the Dreadnoughts and this is an exceptional cover.

[@KJRandomMan]

Please make a spotify version of this. i love your version the most

[@gracebrennan8989]

I love the intensity. It's easy to see how much passion you put into this!

[@bigolboomerbelly4348]

As a small boy I often wondered about the phrase rock n roll. Sure we all knew about the rock but what of the roll? Know I see...it was here all along

[@sturmtruppenofthemidwest]

Built in 1969, The Esso Northumbria was once the largest oil tanker in the world with a beam of 170'. She truly was a royal monster.

[@Poetria_Elysia]

Is it just me, or is his voice getting deeper? If so, that scares and amazes me equally.

[@Elena-lu7tl]

Well, that was incredible. Not that I expected it to be otherwise.🧡

[@brittanyg533]

Beautifully haunting! Well done, Colm!

[@bladethedasv3127]

Plot twist: This whole channel is not actually one dude, its a band of identical twins

[@drbeandog4209]

I haven't had goosebumps like this in a while

[@dani_raudvik]

Jesus that drop at 2:30. Made my entire body quiver a bit.

[@frankiegalipeau1891]

Can you do a 2022 version for the wellerman? I would be so excited! The addition of the instruments in the newer sea shanties is EPIC! Also, can you do Davy Jones theme as tavern music? Please!

[@jesuschrist138]

Song: Giga-ship built to haul crude oil. My brain: scifi warship destined to brave the void and conquer the stars.

[@LadyShinga]

At least, like, 50 of these views are just me listening over and over and over 😍😍😍

[@jk2774]

Loving this new color and smoke theme!

[@kemis3307]

You're hitting all of my favorite shanties, lately, and I'm loving them all!

[@RPGTKingpin]

Thank you so much for covering this one. Ever since I heard the version by The Dreadnoughts I've been wanting an epic cover of it, and between the instruments and your stellar voice, you have absolutely nailed that epic vibe I envisioned. Definitely a new favourite.

[@IronBear88]

Jesus Christ, Colm! So much power in that voice of yours it will move Northumbria without any wind!

[@nikoisland6731]

Aye! As it has a boiler! Damn good song tho, inwant to play the meoldy on my concertina

[@jugglanaut]

Love your harmonies and range. Amazing cover, amazing work as always!

[@KayeTheDragon]

the vibes are legitimately perfection omg. time to loop this for the rest of the week

[@klausprat7016]

When will it come to spotify:(( I have my playlist ready

[@alishadegroot9100]

I love when you scrunch your brow, you get that V line! Maybe you don't so it doesn't feel like a compliment, but I do mean it as one. I love listening to your "old" songs as much as the new ones.

[@Sorchia56]

Ye keep me going to Apple Music to find ye, then give em a good telling off when I can’t (even when I can!) cheers. My great papa and Nana sang these to me when I was a lass. I sang to my wee one’s, now they sing to theirs! Never let the history die.

[@elizabethmoore9220]

Oh ya!!! It's gonna be good!!

[@sonjahirsch9650]

wanna hear more of your deep voice... makes me shiver and I'm addicted 😀

[@FeuerKriegDivisionPoland]

Great as always

[@primrose4514]

Never, never heard a voice with this QUALITY

[@j.a.melton2757]

Always love more of this content. Bravo sir.

[@alexkarlsson660]

Back to remind Colm that my spotify playlist isn't finished without this one.

[@ОлексійГладкий-б5ф]

Every single song of this guy is freaking awesome!!!

[@eldradulthran6482]

I live near the Tyne myself, in Northumbria. This song is ever so nice.

[@SquidyChalker]

That bit when Colm hits those low notes. Mmmmmhhhmm

[@MorriganJade]

That low note really sounded more like a metal growl than just a low note. Amazing! =D

[@narcissus79]

Would love to see you cover some of the Bards Tale 4 OST tunes.. they're beautiful Scottish Gaelic songs! Maybe "Iain Ghlinn Cuaich", "Cha D' fhuair mi'n Cadal" or "Am Braigh Uige"

[@kapitaine4104]

When you hit that Eb1 at 02:31, you do a grand impression of a double bass; first time I've heard a human voice do that.

[@JennyMartin-i9n]

Love the emotional face expression awsome give the song strong feelings ❤❤

[@pringlebread4913]

AHHHHHH I need this on my spotify list. Love the original but you bring such weight and power to the song and I love it.

[@saschacarlsson813]

It's 3:37 am and I'm on my way to work. Got excited a new song came out..... You've ruined my entire work morning. I'll see myself out! Aaaaaand back again when it's released because I'll be darned if I miss this beast! See y'all then!

[@wayfaringstranger5957]

Mission accomplished lads, we got an Irishman to indirectly say he loves the British Empire AND compliment a princess. Pack it up, job done.

[@Carlomango_768]

OH MY GOD CAN'T WAIT

[@BloodDX2]

Colm, your vocal range never ceases to impress. That low note at 2:31 floored me it was so damn deep and mighty. Keep doing what you are, because you have a gift my man!

[@SpiderMan-gv2gd]

Colm, phenomenal as always. Your vocals and creativity for music is incredible and I love hearing every new release. I love the dreadnoughts and was really excited to see this one, though now you gotttaaaa do the Edmund Fitzgerald pleaaaase

[@kaeldrarhiannon]

Not sure how I missed this one (thanks YT), but it is EXCELLENT. Love the HD film quality, love the mysterious fog and lighting, love the vibe. It's very evident that you enjoy what you do, and there's no replacing that energy. Love your music!! Thank you for sharing with us!!

[@cerridwenrowan]

Very cinematic thumbnail.... production gains Cap'n 🥰

[@jaymzodonnell]

more of these please!!!

[@jakelaurence30]

I'm loving the smoke in the video, looks great

[@honzajuricka2612]

Roll, Northumbria, Roll

[@stephenwadecapps1983]

One of my favorite shanties, absolute banger, well done 🫡🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️😁

[@HoodieSardine]

This is easily the best cover he’s ever done

[@Xenoyer]

Right on! Thanks, brother.

[@ArgusQuadocular]

Best possible notification I could have woken up to! Another excellent song, sir!

[@johnsteiner3417]

Quite the growl to your base singing. I'm impressed.

[@krisfricke5538]

I always think this song sounds like it's about a warship and then am like wait it's about .. a tanker?

[@funnelvortex7722]

It makes sense when you think about it. The song is about the death of an empire. Warships are the arm of an empire, but commerce is it's blood. The British Empire was built on trade, and in the rapidly changing global economy of the mid-late 20th century the writing was on the wall that the death of the empire was near. The Esso Northumbria's line of oil tankers was built as part of a last-ditch effort to remain economically competitive on the world stage, but just like the ship itself was scrapped only after a shoddy 7 years of service the efforts to keep the empire together were ultimately futile. But despite the futility the efforts were not made without pride, hence the tone of the song: a song of pride and futility in the face of a harsh reality.

[@jordanwilliams4033]

Yes yes yes! Looking forward to this one.

[@insideouskraken3424]

He has the BEST sweaters...

[@birdandcatlover5597]

As my tastes have been narrowing, you are still on my playlist. Right next to my heavy, thrash, doom, and glam metal. And a few classic country songs, lol

[@christopherjacobs6849]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the Dreadnoughts ! More of this please!!!

[@andreasottohansen7338]

I love how this song is basically Canadian fanfiction about a 20th century ship spilling her cargo

[@TBone-bz9mp]

It’s a metaphor for the decline of the British Empire.

[@RussBuss3]

Still waiting for Colm to release one that doesn't absolutely SLAP. I think I'll be waiting for a very long time.

[@caitlintaskila1465]

Beautiful original work Colm! This new song provokes a feeling of curiosity and imagination and yet a sad dark mood. Hope things are well with you in your world Colm...

[@rwbrown1904]

What an amazing sound-I love this! I can feel the music in my bones.

[@desasterlord7108]

Holy Oil Tanker Batman, that was bloody brilliant, and i love oyur more agressive style for this song thats usually a bit more somber.

[@bigfoot_huntr2964]

Hollllyyyy crap!!!! The Marianas trench wants its depth back colm! That was AMAZING

[@TheBearMoose]

That was awesome. That's all I got, 'cause my jaw is still on the ground.

[@paxbandito3939]

Here we are waiting again. The anticipation is real