The Highwaymen – Santy Anno
“Santy Anno” is a captivating sea shanty that comes to life in the hands of The Highwaymen, one of the most prominent folk groups of the early 1960s. Released as part of their exploration of traditional folk and maritime songs, The Highwaymen’s rendition of “Santy Anno” perfectly captures the spirit of adventure and hardship that comes with life on the open seas. This track, though not a commercial smash like some of their other hits, holds a special place in the hearts of folk enthusiasts, particularly for those who appreciate the preservation of age-old maritime traditions.
The song itself is a traditional sailor’s shanty, with its roots tracing back to the mid-19th century. “Santy Anno” refers to General Antonio López de Santa Anna, a prominent figure in Mexican history, though the connection between the historical figure and the sailor’s life in the song is a bit more abstract. Like many sea shanties, “Santy Anno” is more about the rhythm and call-and-response style that sailors would use to keep time while working on ships. Its repetitive, chant-like nature makes it the perfect work song, ideal for heaving ropes or hauling sails.
In The Highwaymen‘s version, they stay true to the traditional shanty style, using their signature harmonies to elevate the song’s simple, rhythmic structure. The instrumentation is sparse but effective, with the focus being on the vocals that carry the weight of the story. As they sing, “Weigh, Santy Anno, round the Horn, through the bay, heave away, Santy Anno,” you can almost imagine the creak of the ship’s timbers and the wind in the sails, transporting listeners back to a time when these songs were a vital part of maritime life.
One of the remarkable things about The Highwaymen is their ability to take these old, sometimes obscure songs, and breathe new life into them. Their rendition of “Santy Anno” is no exception. By bringing the song into the 1960s folk revival, they introduced a new generation to the maritime traditions that were once such a critical part of seafaring culture. The song stands out for its authenticity and the way it evokes a sense of camaraderie and shared struggle among the sailors who would have originally sung it.
Though “Santy Anno” didn’t climb the charts or reach the commercial success of other Highwaymen songs like “Michael (Row the Boat Ashore)”, it holds a valuable place in their catalog as a nod to the past. For listeners, especially those with a love for folk music and its preservation of history, this song represents an essential part of the tradition. The Highwaymen’s performance of it is both reverent and joyful, embodying the hard life of sailors while also celebrating the human spirit’s resilience.
To a modern audience, “Santy Anno” may seem like a relic of a distant time, but The Highwaymen remind us that these old songs are more than just historical footnotes—they’re living, breathing pieces of culture that still resonate today. Their rendition invites listeners to sing along, to feel the rhythm of the sea, and to appreciate the rich tapestry of folk music that tells the stories of those who came before us.
In the end, “Santy Anno” is a testament to the enduring power of folk music and The Highwaymen’s commitment to keeping these traditional songs alive. It’s a song of the sea, of sailors long gone, but it continues to echo through time, thanks to groups like The Highwaymen who gave it new life for generations to come.