The Last Shanty

Great Big Sea's song "The Last Shanty" is a nostalgic and humorous reflection on the changing life of sailors over time. The lyrics recount the experiences of a sailor who has joined the navy and finds that the traditional hardships and practices of seafaring life have been replaced by modern conveniences and technologies. The song opens with the sailor recalling his father's warnings about the tough life at sea, only to discover that the reality is quite different from the past. This sets the tone for a series of contrasts between the old and new ways of sailing.

The chorus, "A sailor ain't a sailor ain't a sailor any more!" underscores the central theme of the song: the transformation of the sailor's role and identity. The verses highlight various aspects of this change, from the replacement of manual labor with engines and technology to the shift from traditional navigation methods to modern instruments like radar and sonar. The song humorously points out that tasks once essential to a sailor's skill set, such as climbing the mast or using semaphore signals, have become obsolete.

Despite these changes, the song concludes with a sense of continuity and resilience. The final verse mentions the tradition of sailors enjoying their time ashore, emphasizing that while the tools and methods may have changed, the spirit of the sailor remains the same. This blend of humor, nostalgia, and resilience makes "The Last Shanty" a poignant commentary on the evolution of maritime life, celebrating both the past and the enduring essence of the sailor's spirit.