It’s International Talk Sing Like A Pirate Day and we’re please to present not only a “sea shanty” about being a pirate, but one about the Mexican-American war of the 1850s. It’s even in Wikipedia! This video of Santy Anno has music by Forebitter and Lord Cavendish manga-influenced artwork assembled by uploader LordDrakoArakis, probably not his real name.
Here’s the some of what Wikipedia says about this traditional song:
“Santianna”, also known as “Santiana”, “Santy Anna”, “Santayana”, “Santiano”, “Santy Anno” and other variations, is a sea shanty relating to the Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
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Origin
The theme of the shanty, which dates from at least the 1850s, may have been inspired by topical events in the news related to conflicts between the armies of Mexico, commanded by Antonio López de Santa Anna, and the U.S., commanded by Zachary Taylor, in the Mexican-American War.
The lyrics themselves are rather economical with historical accuracy; for example, the result of the Battle of Monterrey (or alternatively the Battle of Molino del Rey), in a few renditions, is presented as a US rout rather than the Mexican defeat that really occurred.
Lyrics
“Santianna” is a capstan shanty, and follows a call-and respond pattern.
O! Santianna fought for fame!
Away Santianna!
And Santianna gained a name
All on the plains of Mexico!
Mexico, Mexico,
Away Santianno!
Mexico is a place I know!
All on the plains of Mexico!
O! Santianna had a wooden leg
Heave away, Santianna!
He used it for a cribbage peg
All on the plains of Mexico!Chorus:
Heave her up, and away we’ll go
Heave away, Santianna!
Heave her up, and away we’ll go
All on the plains of Mexico
O! Santianna fought for his gold
Heave away, Santianna!
The deeds he did have oft been told
All on the plains of MexicoChorus
O! Santianna gain’d the day,
Heave away, Santianna!
He gain’d the day at Molly-Del-Rey*.
All on the plains of MexicoChorus
He won the day at Molly-Del-Rey,
Heave away, Santianna!
And General Taylor he ran away.
All on the plains of MexicoChorus
O! Santianna fought for his life,
Heave away, Santianna!
He gained his way in the terrible strife.
All on the plains of MexicoChorus
O! Santianna’s men were brave,
Heave away, Santianna!
Many found a hero’s grave.
All on the plains of Mexico!Chorus
O! Santianna’s day is o’er,
Heave away, Santianna!
Santianna will fight no more.
All on the plains of Mexico!Chorus
O! Santianna’s day is gorn,
Heave away, Santianna!
We left him buried off Cape Horn.
All on the plains of Mexico!Chorus
We dug his grave with a golden spade,
Heave away, Santianna!
And marked the spot where he was laid.
All on the plains of Mexico
*Monterrey or Molino del Rey
[Editor’s Note: Shiver me timbers! We first published this story in 2014.]