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The Shifty Sailors

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  • Recordings
  • Performances
  • History
  • Contact
  • Booking the Shifties

About

Smiles are guaranteed for everyone!

Celebrating music of the sea

The Shifty Sailors are a renowned maritime folk group from Whidbey Island, Washington, dedicated to preserving sea shanties and nautical songs. Formed in 1993 to support a local history museum, they quickly became a celebrated ensemble, performing at festivals, tall ship events, and international maritime gatherings. Their music captures the essence of island and seafaring life, blending rich harmonies with storytelling. Over the years, they have toured across Europe and the U.S., sharing maritime traditions worldwide. With multiple albums and a deep connection to their community, the Shifty Sailors continue to bring the spirit of the sea to audiences everywhere.

Turn your next event into something memorable.

It doesn't matter the size of your event... The Shifty Sailors love to engage with groups large and small

Since their founding in 1993, The Shifty Sailors have been bringing maritime history to life through rousing shanties and seafaring songs. Their repertoire blends traditional and contemporary compositions, capturing the adventure, camaraderie, and spirit of life at sea.

Renowned for their interactive and lively performances, The Shifty Sailors create an immersive experience wherever they go. Their music has filled venues of all kinds—school events (where they sing alongside high school choirs), tavern openings, National Park Service events, neighborhood gatherings, festivals, fairs, and the annual St. Paddy’s Day Bash.

If you're planning an event, The Shifty Sailors would love to be part of it! Click the button below to get in touch, and let’s bring some maritime magic to your gathering.

Click here to Add the Shifty Sailors to an upcoming special event

Upcoming performances

Date Event Location
Saturday, June 6 @ 11:15AM — 12:15PM Sat, Jun 6 @ 11:15AM — 12:15PM Anacortes Water Festival Anacortes Main Stage Anacortes Main Stage
Sunday, June 7 Sun, Jun 7 250th United States Anniversary Coupeville Wharf, Coupeville Coupeville Wharf, Coupeville
Friday, June 19 @ 2:00PM — 3:00PM Fri, Jun 19 @ 2:00PM — 3:00PM Regency Retirement Home Oak Harbor Oak Harbor
Friday, July 3 @ 5:30PM — 6:30PM Fri, Jul 3 @ 5:30PM — 6:30PM 60th Birthday Party: Private Event Greenbank Farm Greenbank Farm
Saturday, July 11 @ 7:00PM — 8:00PM Sat, Jul 11 @ 7:00PM — 8:00PM Deception Pass Concert Deception Pass Ampitheater, Deception Pass State Park Deception Pass Ampitheater, Deception Pass State Park
Saturday, July 25 Sat, Jul 25 Island County Fair Island County Fairgrounds, Langley Island County Fairgrounds, Langley
Saturday, August 8 Sat, Aug 8 Port Gamble Maritime Folk Net Music Festival Port Gamble, WA Port Gamble, WA
Wednesday, August 19 @ 12:30PM — 1:30PM Wed, Aug 19 @ 12:30PM — 1:30PM Coupeville Methodist Church Coupeville Coupeville
Saturday, September 5 @ 12:00PM Sat, Sep 5 @ 12:00PM Wooden Boat Festival Port Townsend, Port Townsend Port Townsend, Port Townsend
Saturday, September 26 Sat, Sep 26 Whidbey Island Ciderfest Pacific Rim Institute, Coupeville Pacific Rim Institute, Coupeville
Wednesday, November 11 @ 11:00AM Wed, Nov 11 @ 11:00AM Veteran's Day Remembrance Coupeville, Coupeville Coupeville, Coupeville
Saturday, December 5 @ 5:00PM Sat, Dec 5 @ 5:00PM Christmas Tree Lighting Anchorage Inn, Coupevile Anchorage Inn, Coupevile
View previous events

Featured Album

"Howling Gales, Raging Seas" (2024) by The Shifty Sailors is a stirring tribute to the power, peril, and poetry of the sea. This latest collection of maritime folk songs brings to life the voices of sailors braving the elements, navigating treacherous waters, and finding solace in song. Featuring rousing sea shanties, haunting ballads, and rich harmonies, the album transports listeners into the heart of maritime adventure. With a blend of traditional and contemporary nautical tunes, Howling Gales, Raging Seas captures the untamed spirit of ocean life—where fierce storms meet the camaraderie of shipmates and the timeless call of the waves. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a landlubber at heart, this album immerses you in the deep, rolling tales of the sea.

Howling Gales, Raging Seas by The Shifty Sailors

Howling Gales, Raging Seas

The Shifty Sailors

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Howling Gales, Raging Seas
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"Howling Gales, Raging Seas" (2024) by The Shifty Sailors is a powerful collection of maritime songs celebrating the adventure, danger, and camaraderie of life at sea. With rousing shanties, haunting ballads, and rich Read more

"Howling Gales, Raging Seas" (2024) by The Shifty Sailors is a powerful collection of maritime songs celebrating the adventure, danger, and camaraderie of life at sea. With rousing shanties, haunting ballads, and rich harmonies, the album captures the raw spirit of the ocean—where fierce storms, rolling waves, and timeless seafaring tales come alive through music.

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  1. 1
    Howling Gales, Raging Seas 3:11
    Howling Gales, Raging Seas
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  2. 2
    Wellerman 2:50
    Wellerman
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  3. 3
    Climb Aboard 3:14
    Climb Aboard
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  4. 4
    Santiano 2:27
    Santiano
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  5. 5
    Keep Haulin' 3:02
    Keep Haulin'
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  6. 6
    Lovely Schooner Suva 4:54
    Lovely Schooner Suva
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  7. 7
    Fisherman's Gamble, The Lonely Sea 5:10
    Fisherman's Gamble, The Lonely Sea
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  8. 8
    Northwest Passage 3:48
    Northwest Passage
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  9. 9
    Joli Rouge 3:02
    Joli Rouge
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  10. 10
    Ballad Of The Merry Ferry 1:34
    Ballad Of The Merry Ferry
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  11. 11
    Farewell Lolita 2:59
    Farewell Lolita
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  12. 12
    Longing The Island Life 3:18
    Longing The Island Life
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  13. 13
    Sailor's Prayer 2:26
    Sailor's Prayer
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  14. 14
    Birthday Polka 1:16
    Birthday Polka
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  15. 15
    Shifty Sailors We'll Always Be 4:17
    Shifty Sailors We'll Always Be
    by The Shifty Sailors

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  16. 16
    Whidbey My Home 5:24
    Whidbey My Home
    by The Shifty Sailors

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Want more choices? The Shifty Sailors have a total of 7 albums to choose from. Click this link for more.

Click Here to see all 7 Shifty Sailor Albums

Howling Gales was recorded in 2024 at the amazing Robbie Cribbs sound studio on Whidbey Island. A fun time was had by all.

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Shifties in the Studio

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