Would you have been tempted to run away to sea if you lived during the Age of Sail? This era, spanning from the 16th century to the mid-19th century, was dominated by majestic sailing ships that ruled global trade and naval warfare. Tall ships navigated the oceans, with timber as their backbone and the seas as their highways. The colors of this tartan tell a vivid story: the blues represent the vast oceans; green symbolizes the forests harvested to build these grand vessels; white stands for the sails that powered them; and red, often the color of the hulls, also reminds us of the lives lost at sea.

If you had run away to sea and returned home, you'd likely bring back a collection of sea shanties to share. These traditional folk songs, known as sea shanties, chanteys, or chanties, were sung to coordinate the rhythmical labor aboard large merchant sailing vessels. Predominantly found on British and other European ships, some shanties were steeped in lore and legend. The tasks on these ships often required coordinated group efforts, such as weighing anchor, setting sail, or winding ropes around a capstan. One of the most famous shanties, "Drunken Sailor," is believed to be one of the few allowed in the Royal Navy.

This is the season for many Sea Shanty Singing Festivals, including the renowned Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, the largest free nautical music and song festival in Europe! ⚓ 🎵