Sea songs didn't start out as music to be heard. They were songs to sing, songs to help with the work, songs to pass the time. These songs were spread by the oral tradition, resulting in many variations. Singers Nils Brown, Michiel Schrey, and Clayton Kennedy join Seán Dagher and La Nef in performing these songs with a new twist, while preserving their specific character and original appeal.  

Our goal here is to present these songs, not only as they have always been sung, but also as music to be listened to. It is no small challenge to drag these pieces, tar-stained and tattered, into a concert hall and onto a recording. We hope to give you something new to listen to in these pieces. We also hope to have retained what is essential to them, their character and appeal. What is certain is that we put our backs into making this music and into singing it. We will have been successful if you find yourself humming these tunes in the coming days, or if you find yourself wishing there were a gang of sailors around to sing them with. A special thanks to David Gossage for his help in researching the repertoire. Join the crew! All aboard!

Seán Dagher is an active performer, arranger, and composer of music from various classical and folk music traditions: Celtic, Baroque, Medieval, Arabic, Quebecois, and Maritime. He is artistic director and principal arranger of Skye Consort and and is a member of La Nef's Artistic Commitee. 

Founded in 1991, La Nef is a company dedicated to the creation and production of early and contemporary music. It engages musicians and artists in all disciplines according to the needs of its productions. La Nef produces concerts and recitals of early and traditional music that are based on historical and literary themes.

1. Leave Her, Johnny 

2. Go To Sea No More 

3. Stormalong John 

4. Out On The Ocean 

5. Over The Hills And Faraway 

6. Randy Dandy, O 

7. Lowlands Away 

8. The Captain's (Hind) Quarters 

9. The Press Gang 

10. One More Day 

11. Hangin' Johnny 

12. Haul On The Bowline 

13. Rolling Down To Old Maui 

14. Blood Red Roses 

15. Rolling The Waves 

16. Shallow Brown