Friday 1 June 2012
Tune of the Day: Santianna
Traditional sea shanty
This shanty is popularly supposed to have been started by British seamen who jumped ship to serve with Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna in the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). Tension between the USA and Britain was still high, and Santa Anna became a hero-figure to those countries opposing the US.
A French-language version of the song, “Santiano”, was popularized first in the early 1960s by Hugues Aufray, then in 2005 when it was successfully covered by Star Academy 5. It is now by far the most well-known shanty in France.
Thanks to Guillaume for suggesting this tune!