Shake a leg... officer onboard! Marc West comes gets nautical with a night of rousing sea shanty singing in land-locked Wolvercote

In the 19th century, a young whippersnapper seeking adventure and a test of his manhood would often head to the docks and sign up on a ship bound for foreign lands.

He could no doubt climb any rock or navigate the high seas like the back of his hand. But, before letting any Tom, Dick or Harry join his crew the wise ol’ captain would look any hopeful up and down, then simply ask "How well can you sing, Sonny Jim?”

During the golden age of sail, the singing of sea shanties accompanied the backbreaking labour required to power huge vessels back and forth across the ocean waves. They were primarily used to keep rhythm during the heave-ho of raising sail and go some way to easing the hardship of life on board for many months on end. Granted, they may not be the most sophisticated of compositions, but they’re (still to this day) always meaningful – telling tales of a sailor’s life of copious alcohol, pretty girls and a longing for Albion.

So, what better way to banish those winter doldrums than with a rousing singsong of timeless tunes. Our city couldn’t be further from the soup, but the tradition is alive and well in these parts thanks to a bunch of loyal landlubbers. But, you won’t need a greasy gansey or Captain Birdseye beard here - seamen young and old (even fair maidens) have been willingly press-ganged into this not-so motley crew.

Drop some golden coins into the passing jar and you too can join this part performance, part workshop and part open session. It may be cold and wet outside, but gathered round the roaring fire in The White Hart’s Irish Snug feels as safe and warm as a night in harbour. But, be warned, you’ll no doubt have to break from Dry January for just one night to wet your whistle with some jolly grog and get in fine fettle to raise the spirits in Wolvercote’s haunted 17th century inn.

Researchers at Oxford University have recently concluded that a good singalong promotes general health, happiness and wellbeing - while simultaneously lubricating the wheels of social cohesion like nothing else. And, following my own extensive research of the alcohol-fuelled call-and-response format, I can confirm that being a cog in this wondrous engine of harmonic sound makes you feel all warm inside…or, maybe that was the rum?

Whilst the true practice of singing standards like What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor? may have ended with the advent of steam power the romance of this choral tradition will no doubt live on for centuries to come. Thanks, in no small part, to revivalists like Port Isaac’s chart-toppers Fisherman’s Friends…but, also through friendly and inclusive groups like this. What’s more, by point blank refusing to rely on jukeboxes or TV for entertainment, the proactive locals of this community-run pub/hub have created their own special scene and as such enjoy a whole host of live music events throughout the year.

Shantyman Dave Mountain’s increasingly popular sessions take place on the first Sunday of every month from 8.30-10.30pm, so be sure to mark this weekend in your Captain's log. For all details visit thewhitehartwolvercote.co.uk.