Redfern Shanty Club @Illawarra Folk Festival 2023 ... Billy O'Shea

This is how you have a rollicking good time singing sea shanties. The Redfern Shanty Club performed at the Folk Grand and were a crowd favourite.
This shanty tells the common story of being pressed. Between 1664 and 1814, impressment was used to fill the crews of British navy ships. Any man between 18 and 55 with sailing ability could be pressed into service by the Navy Impressment Service, known as 'The Press Gang'. The punishment for refusing was hanging. Having attempted to plead that they are non-sailors, the captain whips Billy O'Shea up the rigging, where his lack of topsman ability soon leads to his early demise. The cat referred to is the cat o' nine tails.

[@froggiechar]

That was a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing such an entertaining gathering! Peace and joy, Charles