topsail halyards call most frequently for these songs. One of the most universal, and to my ear the most musical of the songs, is " Reuben Ranzo." A good shantyman, who with fitting pathos recounts the sorrows of " poor Reuben " never fails to send the topsail to the masthead at quick notice, nor to create a passing interest in the listener to the touching melody: ? Oh, Reuben was no sailor, Chorus, and repeat with chorus. He shipped on board of a whaler, Chorus, &c. He could not do his duty, Chorus, &c. The captain was a bad man, Chorus, &c. He put him in the rigging, Chorus, &c. He gave him six and thirty, Chorus, &c. Oh, poor Reuben Ranzo. Chorus, &c. In this song the pulls are given at the first word " Ranzo" in the chorus, sometimes at its next occurrence in addition. It's nice that he adds in the pulls. Also, he adds the detail that this could be a sing- or double-pull. Of all the heroines of deck song Sally Brown's name is most frequently uttered, and a lively pull always attends it. She figures in several of these songs; one has as its chorus "Shantyman and Sally Brown." But it is used more frequently, I think, in connection with the song: ? It will be noticed that neither rhyme nor sentiment has much place in these songs. Each line is usually repeated twice, even if there be a rhyme impending, for the