The rum ration (also called the tot) was a daily amount of rum given to sailors on Royal Navy ships. It was abolished in 1970 after concerns that the intake of strong alcohol would lead to unsteady hands when working machinery.
“a drop of Nelson’s blood” is a common refrain in English sea shanties.
In some of my favorite books, the Aubrey-Maturin series, Dr. Maturin has an asp preserved in alcohol and the seamen sneak in and drink it off!
“Oh a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm!” “And we’ll all hang on behind” “As we roll the old chariot along”
I think my favorite version of that song is David Coffin’s crowd sing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49FWp7WLYKw
Always props to grey hat w/ green button down hitting the high harmony!
I love this so much. The first time I saw this version I watched it ten times in a row and cried a little.
I am a member of The High Desert Seamen, a group that sings sea shanties and wassailing songs on 12/24 each year. Roll The Old Chariot is one of our songs. We add new verses in every year. David Coffin, in this viddie is truly inspiring. He has much to teach us all.
