Way back in 1935 “Long Summer Day” was sung by a group of men from Andros Island in the Bahamas for Alan Lomax, Zora Neale Hurston and Mary Elizabeth Barnicle (what a great name for someone collecting shanties!) and deposited in the Library of Congress’ Archive of American Folksong, now the American Folklife Center. (AFS 509 A3). Though information about the song at the Archive is minimal my guess is that it was used for boat-launching though someday I’d like to try it on the Joseph Conrad because I think it would make a great halliard shanty at a slightly quicker tempo.

In any event, here is the track for you to sing along. The original had lovely harmony so feel free to send me as many different tracks as you like!