Salty Singalongs

"I'm just fielding questions today from other chantey singers on the meaning of some terms, like 'hog-eye,' " he says. He then explains that the word has two definitions: "a kind of flat-bottomed barge and a very private part of a woman's anatomy." Ah, of course.

By 10 p.m., after people from each table in the room have had the chance to lead a song, the evening of seafaring songs is coming to a close. After people shout out reminders about upcoming events, everyone stands for the closing chantey, "Nelson's Memory." The stirring song concludes with:

May the Lord put an end to these cruel old wars

And bring peace and contentment to all our brave tars

For a second, there's silence. Then Peterson sends off his comrades-in-song with a seafarer's finest blessing: "Fair winds, folks."

Chantey Night Do's and Don'ts

Do: Sing.

Don't: Worry about how well you sing, Chanteyman Myron Peterson says. "You don't need a voice like, you know, Enrico Caruso or Beyonce."

Do: Consider your audience.

Don't:"Sing songs you wouldn't sing for your mother or sister or pastor or rabbi," Peterson says. "You are in public."

Do: Sing sea chanteys about, well, the sea.

Don't: Sing non-nautical drinking songs just because they also lead people to rock back and forth and put arms around strangers.

Do: Come with a song or two prepared. (Just Google "sea chantey lyrics.")