Well-known Newfoundland musician and performer Sean McCann is out with a new album dedicated to working together.

McCann decided to release his album of sea shanties on Labour Day for a number of reasons.

He says he started researching, collecting and recording traditional sea shanties, as he put it, “to keep from going completely mad” during lockdown over the winter.

He says COVID has been hard on everyone, including musicians, and he saw parallels between the songs sung by sailors while working at sea, and pulling together during difficult times.

“The secret of success for the shanty,” says McCann “was getting everyone working together in time, to get the job done.” He saw that as a metaphor for the challenge everyone is facing which can only be resolved “by working together.”

Shantyman is now available for purchase through McCann’s website.