Shanty choir

The Lüdinghausen Shanty Choir sings of seafaring romance and wanderlust

Seamen's songs in Lüdinghausen? A bit far from the sea, isn't it? Nadine Wenge spoke to Werner Möllerfeld, Chairman of the Marine-Kameradschaft (MK) and head of the Lüdinghausen shanty choir, about why shanties are so popular here in Germany and why men like to sing them so much.

Mr. Möllerfeld, a shanty choir in the deepest inland. How did this come about?

The shanty choir originated from the Marine-Kameradschaft. The comradeship was founded in 1956 by Hubert Berg and frigate captain Wolfgang Havestadt to maintain the naval tradition and promote shipping. Initially, the members were former members of the navy. They were later joined by members of the German Navy, inland waterway skippers, members of the civilian shipping industry and sailing enthusiasts.

And they like to sing? Or why the choir?

Möllerfeld: The idea of founding a shanty choir had been floating around the naval comradeship for years. When the Lüdinghausen men's choir disbanded, they thought about starting a new choir together. And since the men's choir had always enjoyed singing shanties, what could be more obvious than a shanty choir? At first it was a project choir. Now we've been around for five years.

How many singers do you have?

Möllerfeld: At the moment, the choir consists of 25 singers from Lüdinghausen and the surrounding area.

Are they all men?

Möllerfeld: The only woman in our choir is our choirmaster Linda Hofmann. Linda studied singing and had a permanent arrangement at the Thüringer Landestheater in Rudolstadt. She has a great handle on us singers.

What are shanties actually?

Möllerfeld: Singing songs on ships has always been popular to strengthen the sense of community. Shanties are the former work songs of the sailors. However, during hard work at sea, such as lifting the anchor or hoisting the sails, the rhythm was more important than a good sound.

And the lyrics sometimes sound a bit strange too...

Möllerfeld: Since seafaring is international, the shanties are also international. That's why many shanties are sung in a gibberish of German, English and Low German.

What is so fascinating about shanty songs?

Möllerfeld: Music brings people together. And shanties in particular. They are a mixture of seafaring romance, wanderlust and the pain of separation.

Since Santiano, the shanty choir on "Inas Nacht" and the "Wellerman", shanty singing has become really popular, hasn't it?

Möllerfeld: Yes, shanties are very popular. And in addition to traditional songs, we now also sing hits by Santiano or modern songs like Aloahe or "whisky in the jar". That goes down really well at our gigs.

New musicians are very welcome: The shanty choir of MK Lüdinghausen meets every 14 days on Thursdays at 7 pm for rehearsals at the DRK-Heim on Werdener Straße 8a. New singers and musicians (accordion, guitar, bass guitar) are very welcome. Contact: Werner Möllerfeld, Tel. 02591/5809, Mail: w.moellerfeld@gmx.de