The second of our series of academic papers published by Miskatonic University Press in 1927, The Curious Sea Shanty Variants of Innsmouth Mass. combines erudite scholarship by Miskatonic's own folklorist, Prof. Albert Wilmarth (Ph. D.) and music anthropologist Carlton J. Connolly (A. Mus. D.). Following the wave of sea shanty scholarship which began in the early 20s, Dr. Connolly happened upon an Innsmouth sailor and from his very hospital room transcribed the unique lyrical variations to traditional shanties once sung by sailors in the isolated seaport of Innsmouth, Mass. Dr. Connolly's scholarship explores the unique themes and perspectives of Innsmouth sailors as they sang songs to coordinate their work on Innsmouth's great sailing ships of the 19th Century. These lyrical themes and motifs provide a fascinating window into the culture of this isolated community. Dr. Wilmarth expands on this insight, examining the maritime history of this community which has gone from a thriving seaport to a derelict shadow of its former glories. To fully capture the experience of this music, Dr. Connolly engaged the Arkham Men's Chorale to resuscitate these songs of a bygone era through a recorded programme of fifteen shanties. Songs include Innsmouth takes on: What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor, Spanish Ladies, Blow the Man Down, and many more performed in the style of New England's proud maritime tradition. The monograph is 5.5 x 8.5 inches, saddle stapled with a high quality cover depicting a unique piece of scrimshaw from Innsmouth. Interior illustrations depict tattoos, maps and other Innsmouth imagery. The companion compact disc features fifteen songs, performed by professional singers and boisterous shantymen with traditional accompaniment.

Udgivet af H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, The 2015