Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (F)
Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down (F)”. This version Stan Hugill learned from his old shipmate Paddy Griffiths. He told him that “Bungyereye” was a slang term for a certain brand of whisky very popular towards the end of the XIX century.
I would also like to thank Artur Pietrzykowski for the wonderful illustration that you can find at the beginning of the record.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the halyard shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: Stan Hugill left a record on his album: “Chants des Marins Anglais (1992)” where singing with Stormalong John, and this is a version with melody and tempo, I try to replicate.
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 211, 212).
The Record of the Blow The Man Down (F)
You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.
The full lyrics
Blow The Man Down (F)
Jack bein’ a sailor, he walked London town,
– Timme WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
She bein’ a damsel that walked up an’ down.
– Ooh! GIMME us some time to BLOW the man down!
* 2 *
She came over to Jack and axed if he’d buy,
‘I have here in me basket some young Bungyereye.’
* 3 *
‘Be-damn me,’ sez Jack, ‘Oh, what can this be?’
‘The finest o’ whisky from far German-ee.
* 4 *
‘Smuggled over in a basket an’ sold on the sly,
An’ it goes by the name o’ the Young Bungyereye.’
* 5 *
Jack slipped her a pound an’ he thought nothing strange.
‘Hold the basket, young man, while I goes for the change.
* 6 *
‘An’ ax all them sailors, as they pass you by,
Would they care for to purchase some young Bungyereye.’
* 7 *
Jack waited an hour an’ he thought it wuz strange,
‘Tis a hell o’ a time fer to wait fer me change!
* 8 *
He waited all evening but the maid she had flown.
Then out of the basket there came a low moan.
* 9 *
Jack opened the basket, the srtings did unite,
Rolled up in brown paper wuz a fat little boy!
* 10 *
To git babe christened young Jack was intent,
So he steered a straight course, to the passon he went.
* 11 *
‘What name shall I call it?’ the passon did cry.
‘What name shall ye call it?’ says Jack. ‘Bungyereye!’
* 12 *
‘Bungyereye!’ sez the passon. ‘Well that’s a queet name.’
‘Be damned me,’ sez Jack. “Tis the queer way it came.
* 13 *
‘For istead of strong whisky that I chanct to buy,
Rolled up in brown paper wuz young Bungyereye.’
* 14 *
Oh, a warnin’, boys, take now, afore we belay,
Don’t ever take heed what pretty gals say.
* 15 *
They’ll leave ye a-holdin’ a fat baby boy,
Instead of a bottle of strong Bungyereye.’