This is based upon a British "fo'c'sle" ballad from sometime around the 18th century. "Fo'c'sle" is an abbreviation of Forecastle which refers to the upper deck of a sailing ship where the sailor's quarters were located. The name "Jack Tar" has traditionally referred to seafaring merchants and sailors for the Royal Navy although after World War I, it came to refer to U.S. Navy men. 

Do Me Ama

This song first appeared in Scotland under the title "The Daemon Lover" sometime near the 17th century. Artists ranging from Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to Clarence Ashley and Pete Seeger have recorded their own versions. 

The House Carpenter

The Black Tree Shook At Midnight

The Royal US is Heather Lockie (Vocals, Viola, Banjo, Noises), Max Kutner (Guitars, Percussion, Piano, Vocals, Noises), Brian Saia (Gadgetry, Noises, Sonic Dreamweaving) and Steven Kai Van Betten (Vocals, Guitar, Noises). The Royal US mines the wealth of well-traveled murder ballads, laments and sea shanties from the British Isles, continuing the tradition of folk in the 21st century through live electronic manipulation and extended improvisation. Recently, the Royal US has applied this treatment to some original pieces.

Though the group's primary source material is public domain, The Royal US discards  the act of preservation and homage altogether. This is modern folk as imagined by modern folk.