Here we are

 

Our group "CROSSJACK" consists of six dedicated shanty singers from Oldenburg, who came together in 2005.

 

We want to keep the musical culture of shanty alive and present it as authentically as possible.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 From the left: Charly Braun, Holger Gerber, Karl-Heinz Mansholt,   
                     Peter Massau, Josef Ottens, Wolfgang Welke

Shanties have their origins as work songs of sailors on

sailing ships of the 18th and 19th centuries. Back then,

when ships sailed without engines and sailors had to hoist

the sails by hand and weigh anchor, the work commandos

were sung in the form of songs - the shanties.

 

Each shanty had its own special purpose at work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Crossjack Shanty singers dedicate ourselves to the

authentic singing of shanties in the original language

and without instrumental accompaniment, in the spirit of

the pure tradition of shanties. Respect for the original

performance and recognition of the harsh reality of the life of

the unknown sailors are at the heart of our work.   

 

A good shantyman and a well-sung shanty, were said to be

worth as much as ten sailors pulling on a line.

 

 

 

 

Despite its German origins, our group has deliberately chose

the name "CROSSJACK":

Crossjack is the name given to the staysail of a sailing ship.

The sail that stopped when the big mizzen had already been

hauled in because of bad weather. This mizzenday sail was

important for keeping the course, because this sail and

the wind could still put pressure on the rudder.  
This is exactly how we want to maintain our course under all

circumstances and that is why we chose this name.

 
Our goals are clearly defined:

the authentic interpretation of shanties and

the exploration of shanties and their environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In public, we perform at international shanty festivals at home

and abroad or at special maritime events.