Belting out a sea shanty for mental wellbeing

"These songs really can boost morale," according to The Auckland Shanty Singers

The leader of a group of sea shanty singers has said people have turned to the age-old nautical tradition to help reconnect with each other post-pandemic and improve their mental health.

Christopher Miller said interest in his maritime-themed County Durham outfit The Auckland Shanty Singers first soared post-Covid as people sought activities after the isolation of lockdown.

But the 63-year-old surveyor from Bishop Auckland said belting out shanties has continued to provide an unexpected outlet to those struggling to cope.

"These songs really can boost your morale and sense of purpose, which is exactly why they were sung by sailors on long, hard voyages back in the day," he said.

Having moved to the North East from London before the pandemic hit, Mr Miller came up with the idea as a response to the "warm welcome I'd been given and also to pay tribute to the region's huge ocean-going history".

"But then came coronavirus and everyone was left stuck indoors and really missing the company of others.

"That's why, as restrictions lifted, people were desperate to find something mentally, emotionally or socially beneficial."

Using a local church hall to rehearse, the group's number soon grew by the dozen.

Mr Miller said audiences get "very invested " in the whole pirate theme at the group's shows

"Shanties are simple call-and-response numbers which are perfect to join in with," said Mr Miller.

"They don't require any musical training, or even a good voice.

"The likes of Blow the Man Down would have been sung by those onboard ships as they did their back-breaking work, whether it was hauling miles of rope or rigging the sails.

"They were meant to create a sense of teamship and togetherness that made the task at hand easier and time pass more quickly."

'Rhythmic and repetitive'

Similar benefits are being felt now, according to the modern day tunesmith.

"Singing shanties creates a shared communality through which you can leave your problems behind, that's certainly how it works for me.

"People visibly relax and their moods lift as the rhythmic and repetitive nature of the songs help reduce stress and anxiety."

Currently consisting of about 35 members, The Auckland Shanty Singers perform all over the UK, hauling anchor for shows as far away as Cornwall where they "always shake a bucket" for mental health charities and other causes.

Mr Miller said the popularity of shanties had been buoyed in recent years by the success of Cornish singing group Fisherman's Friends and 2021's Wellerman viral sensation.

He also gave a nod to the success of The Pirates of the Caribbean films, starring Johnny Depp, but said the benefits can go beyond just the fun of singing.

"I've had a lot of testimonials from those who say it's helped them."