Chantey: meaning, definitions and examples

musical genre

A chantey, often spelled 'shanty,' is a type of work song that was sung by sailors to accompany their labor aboard ships. These songs were typically call-and-response in structure and served to synchronize the efforts of the crew during tasks such as hoisting sails or hauling ropes.

sea song, shanty, work song

Examples of usage

• The crew sang a lively chantey while raising the anchor.

• He learned several traditional chanteys during his time at sea.

• The chantey echoed across the deck as they worked together.

• They often performed a chantey to boost morale on long voyages.