I admit it, I like Rom-Coms (romantic comedies). Add good music to the mix and I’ll be hooked for life. I recently found “Fisherman’s Friends” it’s about a music agent, Danny, who hears a group of fishermen singing sea shanties and falls in love with the daughter, Alwyn, of one of the fisherman. Hooked of life . . . me, too.
Tuesday morning I woke up humming a tune that ended with “can’t ye dance the polka?” I hadn’t danced the polka is some time, but I learned how to dance the polka in college and Peg and I have done the polka many times. After humming the tune and becoming fully awake I realized that I had fallen to sleep watching Fisherman’s Friends and the tune came from the movie.
Can Ye Dance the Polka? a.k.a. New York Gals – Lyrics
I joined a Yankee bloodboat we sail in early morn
I’ll never court a maid again, I’m safer off Cape Horn
and away you santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can’t ye dance the polka?
So I wrapped my glad rags ’round me and to the docks did steer
goodbye you little New York gals, I’ll stick with rum and beer
and away you santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can’t ye dance the polka?
Can Ye Dance the Polka
Based on a true story, the fishermen are all from Cornwall. If you’ve ever seen the TV show Doc Martin, you’ve seen Cornwall. Doc Martin “. . . is set in the fictional seaside village of Portwenn and filmed on location in the village of Port Isaac, Cornwall, United Kingdom . . .” Cornwall is located in South West England, bordered by the Celtic Sea to the north and west, the English Channel to the south, and the rest of England to the east. Most of the Fisherman’s Friends story takes place in Port Isaac, or in the nearby waters.
“Ten fisherman from Cornwall are signed by Universal Records and achieve a top ten hit with their debut album of Sea Shanties.” The blending of voices are simply wonderful. There is plenty of humor and lots of excellent music. Here is a sample of the Fisherman’s Friends performing “Keep Hauling Boys”.
Peg and I love good Celtic music, so this film and the music make us homesick for Ocean Shores . . . half the world away from Cornwall, but just across the Celtic Sea to Ireland. When we visit Ocean Shores we stop at least once each visit to Galway Bay which features live music (or did prior to COVID). Many of their performers sing Irish or Celtic songs. Here is a visit from three years ago – nwadventures.us/Galway-Bay-2017.html
Celtic music has elements of humor, melancholy, and joy. It makes you want to be with your mates, laughing, clowning, and crying . . . all at the same time.
Take a look at the Official Trailer – imdb.com/video/vi692894233
The scenery in Cornwall combined with the beautiful music…what’s not to like? I enjoyed this so much and it’s on my “Watch” list. Their harmony is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much, Don, for giving us a heads up.
P.S. I’m a New York girl…and I can dance the polka! ?
Pat,
Thanks for commenting.
The film even gets better the more you view it . . . you pick up on the small details and you anticipate your favorite parts. I’m still humming the tunes. I haven’t polka’d in ages . . . I might be able waltz around again, but perhaps not the polka . . . I no longer brag. A few years back an exchange student from Australia was going to be the program for the day at Rotary. She knew I could dance and she asked me to help with the national dance of Australia. She showed me the moves: heel, toe, step, step, step and repeat. I foolishly agreed and said, it’s the Cotton-Eyed Joe, which I had danced before. It wasn’t heel, toe, step, step, step, heel, toe, step, step, step it was heeltoestepstepstepheeltoestepstepstepheeltoestepstepstepheeltoestepstepstep . . . it was like ten times faster . . . my face wasn’t red from embarrassment . . . it was all part of gasping for air.
Thanks for sharing and brining out my own old memories. Enjoy and the share the film with others.
Don
I agree ? %. That was a fantastic movie ? and a true story which made it all the better.
I am from Boston originally (WA State now) and 60 years ago I could dance ? the polka.
D.M.M.
Thanks for commenting. I like to say, “I could dance the polka . . . I just choose not to . . . right now. I’m glad liked the movie as well.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
OMG, Don, that sounds like my kind of movies. Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll totally put it on my watch list! Happy weekend!
Susanne,
I think you’ll enjoy it . . . much of the action centers around the local pub . . . it’s no ratskeller, perhaps , but the locals like it.
Thanks for sharing . . . and let me know how you like the film when you see it. One comment just came in stating it was available at the Lakewood Library.
Don
Susanne,
I’m sure you will love it.
Don
Yes, it was a darn good movie with good music that you could listen to with a smile. I checked it out at our Lakewood library a few weeks ago. My significant other and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for showcasing this jewel of a movie.
Jerry,
Thanks for commenting. You are right . . . I was smiling through most of the production. When a movie can make you smile, or cry, or feel . . . then it was a success. Combining a storyline and good music makes it a treasure.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Thanks for the great uplift during the pandemic. A real pleasure, Don, your best ever post!
Sandy Mazzei
Sandy,
Thanks for your comments.
If you’re going to be stuck in your house for some time, why not watch something uplifting that you can share, right? Fisherman’s Friends has become a new family favorite that will no doubt be watched and watched again over this winter and beyond. I’m still telling friends and relatives about the film. I hope you pass it along too with family and friends. It’s a great gift that stays with you.
Thanks for sharing.
Don