Halyard Shanties

Blow The Man Down – Terry Version

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down – Terry Version

Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down – Terry”.
This version has been collected by Richard Runciman Terry in his “The Shanty Book Part I” (1921), here is what the description of this shanty says:
“This is the shanty which is perhaps the best known among landsmen. “Winchester Street” is in South Shields, and in the old days was the aristocratic quarter were only persons of high distinction –such as shipowners, and “South-spainer” skippers–lived…”
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: “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – Richard Runciman Terry.

The lyrics:  “The Shanty Book part I” (1921) – Richard Runciman Terry.

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 212).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down – Terry Version

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.

Blow The Man Down (Terry Version) - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Blow The Man Down - Terry Version - musical notation

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (Terry Version)

Oh blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down.
– To me WAY-ay, BLOW the man down!
Oh blow the man down, bullies, blow him a-way.
– Oh GIMME some time to BLOW the man down.

* 2 *

We went over the Bar on the thirteenth of may.
The Galoper jumped, and the gale came away.

* 3 *

Oh the rags they was gone, and the chains they was jammed,
And the skipper sez he, “Let the weather be hanged”.

* 4 *

As I was a-walking down Winchester Street,
A saucy young damsel I happened to meet.

* 5 *

I sez to her, “Polly, and how d’you do?”
Sez she, “None the better for seein’ of you”.

* 6 *

Oh, it’s sailors is tinkers, and tailors is men.
And we’re all of us coming to see you again.

* 7 *

So we’ll blow the man up, and we’ll blow the man down.
And we’ll blow him away into Liverpool Town.

Related to this sea shanty

Blow The Man Down (V – Doerflinger)

Yankee John Stormalong

A Long Time Ago (B)

Blow The Man Down (V – Doerflinger)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (V – Doerflinger)

Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down (V – Doerflinger)”.
This version comes from William Doerflinger’s “Shantymen And Shantyboys” (1951). In Doerflinger’s book, we can read, is that Les Nickerson also used “The Sailor’s Grace”, that old forecastle rhyme inspired by “salt horse” rations.
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: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).

The lyrics:  “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 212).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (V – Doerflinger)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( V - Doerflinger ) - Halyard Shanty

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (V – Doerflinger)

Old horse, old horse, what brought you here,
– WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
After ploughing the turf for many a year,
– GIMME some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

With kicks and cuffs and sad abuse,
We’re salted down for sailors’ use

* 3 *

Between the mainmast and the pump,
We’re salted down in great big chunks.

* 4 *

And when the mate comes from the rudder
He takes a piece of this old blubber.

Related to this sea shanty

Blow The Man Down (F)

Blow The Man Down (IV – Doerflinger)

Walk Me Along Johnny

Blow The Man Down (IV – Doerflinger)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (IV – Doerflinger)

Here it is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down(IV – Doerflinger)”. This version comes from William Doerflinger’s “Shantymen And Shantyboys” (1951). Doerflinger says that almost any simple song could be adapted to “Blow The Man Down”. Les Nickerson (Doerflinger’s shantyman), a Nova Scotian, uses verses from the ancient Anglo-Scottish ballad of “The Three Crowns”, or “The Twa Corbies”.
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: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).

The lyrics:  “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 212).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (IV – Doerflinger)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( IV - Doerflinger ) - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Blow The Man Down (IV - Doerflinger) - music notation

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (IV – Doerflinger)

There was there crows sat on a tree,
– WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
And they was black as black could be.
– GIMME some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

Says one old crow unto his mate,
“Where shall we go for somethin’ to eat?”

* 3 *

“There is an old horse on yonder hill,
And there we can go and eat our fill.

* 4 *

“There is an old horse on yonder mound.
We’ll light upon to his jaw-bone.”

* 5 *

Says one old crow unto the other,
“We’ll pick his eyes out one by one”.

Related to this sea shanty

Blow The Man Down (B2 – second method)

Blow The Man Down (E)

Walk him along Johnny

Blow The Man Down (F)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( F ) - Halyard Shanty

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.’

Related to this sea shanty

Blow The Man Down (B1 – first method)

Blow The Man Down (C)

Shanandar – Cecil Sharp version

Blow The Man Down (E)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (E)

Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down (E)”. This version is based on the old folk song “Where are ye going to, my pretty maid?”, Stan Hugill calls it “The Milkmaid” version.
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: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 203). 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 210, 211).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (E)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( E ) - Halyard Shanty

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (E)

Oh, where are ye goin’ to, my pretty maid?
– Timme WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
I’m going a milkin’, kind sir, she said.
– Ooh! GIMME us some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

Oh, have ye a sweatheart, my pretty maid?
‘I’m lookin’ for one, kind sir,’ she said.

* 3 *

Then may I come wid ye, my pretty maid?
‘Well, yes, since ye axed me, sir,’ she said.

* 4 *

‘But I guess yer a bad one, kind sir,’ she said.
‘Ye want for to love me, but yer dont’t want ter wed,’

* 5 *

Jack took her in tow, an’ away they did go,
The bulls did a grunt, an’ the cows did a low.

* 6 *

They came to a haystack but the maid she wuz shy,
They backed and they filled an’ heaved many a sigh.

* 7 *

The haystack capsized an’ Jack got all bent,
With hay in his gaff-tops’l, his breeches all rent.

* 8 *

So he left her a-sittin’ a-lookin’ forlorn,
An’ shipped ro the south’ard away round Cape Horn.

* 9 *

Now, all ye young sailors that round the Horn sail,
Don’t take a young milkmaid away from her pail.

* 10 *

Or else ye’ll regret it an’ wish ye were dead,
So don’t go a-courtin’ in a haystack for a bed.

Related to this sea shanty

Blow The Man Down (D)

Blow The Man Down (A)

Roll Boys Roll!

Blow The Man Down (D)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (D)

Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down (D)”. Stan Hugill had this version from Bosun Chenoworth, ex-Dundee whaler.
The six major versions of “Blow The Man Down” are as follows:
(a) – The Flash Packet (from Ratcliffe Highway).
(b) – The Sailing of the Blackballer.
(c) – The Flying Fish Sailor or Policeman Version.
(d) – The Fishes.
(e) – The Milkmaid.
(f) – Bungyereye.
This one is “The Fishes” version.
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: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 203). Stan Hugill left a record on his album: “Chants des Marins Anglais (1992)” where singing with Stormalong John, and this is the version with melody and tempo, I try to replicate.

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 209, 210).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (D)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( D ) - Halyard Shanty

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (D)

I’ll sing ye a song o’ the fish o’ the sea,
– Timme WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
An’ I trust that ye’ll join in the chorus with me.
– Ooh! GIMME us some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

There wuz once an old skipper, I don’t know his name,
But I know that he once played a ruddy smart game.

* 3 *

When his ship lay becalmed in a tropical sea,
He whisteled all day but he could get no breeze.

* 4 *

But a seal heard his whistle an’ loudy did call,
Just smow yer light canvas, jib spanker, an’ all.

* 5 *

I’ll send ye some fish to consult if ye please,
The best way to get ye a nice whistling breeze.’

* 6 *

Oh, first came the herring, sain’, ‘I’m King o’ the Seas’,
He jumped on the poop: ‘Oh, the Capen I’ll be!’

* 7 *

Next came the flatfish, they call him a skate:
‘If ye’ll be the capen, why then I’m the mate.’

* 8 *

Then next came the hake, he wuz black as a rook,
Sez he, ‘I’m no sailor, I’ll ship as the cook.’

* 9 *

Next came the shark with his two rows of teeth,
‘Cook, mind you the cabbage, an’ I’ll mind the beef!’

* 10 *

Then came the eel with his slippery tail,
He climbed up aloft an’ he cast off each sail.

* 11 *

Next came to codfish with his chuckle-head,
He jumped in the chains an’ began heavin’ the lead.

* 12 *

Next came the flounder that lies on the ground,
Sayin’, ‘Damn yer eyes, chucklehead, mind how ye sound!

* 13 *

Then came the conger, as long as a mile,
He gave a broad grin an’ continued to smile.

* 14 *

Then came the porpoise with his pointed snout,
He went to the wheel shoutin’, ‘Ready about!’

* 15 *

Then came the mackrel with his his pretty striped back,
He hauled aft each street, an’ he boarded each tack.

* 16 *

Then came the whale, the biggest in the sea,
Shoutin’, ‘Haul in yer head sheets, now, hellums a lee!’

* 17 *

Then came the sprat, he wuz smalled o’ all,
He jumped on the poop cryin’, ‘Maintawps’l haul!’

* 18 *

The mackerel the skipper did scoff for his tea,
The herring he salted, the seal harpooned he.

* 19 *

He baited a hook, an’ he thougt it a lark,
To catch as he did that hoary ol’ shark.

* 20 *

The eel it wuz tasty, the hake it wuz strong,
The flounder he speared with a lance o’ three prongs.

* 21 *

The skate he speared next, but the purpose wuz fast,
The conger it grinned an’ it grinned to the last.

* 22 *

He caught the ol’ whale, which wuz no simple task,
An’ soon with whale-oil he had filled up each cask.

* 23 *

With the head o’ the codfish he made a fine pipe,
The sprat then he salted, but ’twas only a bite.

* 24 *

The breeze it blew merrily sailed he,
But what an’ ol’ bastard than skipper must be!

Related to this sea shanty

Where Am I To Go M’ Johnnies?

Roll Boys Roll!

Shanandar – Cecil Sharp version

Blow The Man Down (C)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (C)

Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down (C)”. This version is the famous one about the “flying-fish sailor” who was mistaken for a Blackball seaman. A “flying-fish sailor” was a John Tar who preferred the lands of the East and the warmth of the Trade Winds to the cold and misery of the Western Ocean.
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.
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: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 203).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 208).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (C)

“Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 203, 204).

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.

Blow The Man Down ( C ) - Halyard Shanty

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (C)

I’m a deepwater sailor just home from Hong Kong,
– Timme WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
If ye give me some whisky I’ll sing ye a song,
– Ooh! GIMME us some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

As I was a-walkin’ down Paradise Street,
A handsome fat policeman I happened to meet.

* 3 *

Sez he, Yer a Blackballer by the cut o’ yer hair,
An’ the long, red-topped seabots that I see yer wear.

* 4 *

‘Ye’ve sailed in some packet that flies the Blackball,
Ye’ve robbed some poor Dutchman o’ boots, clothes an’ all.’

* 5 *

‘O mister, ye do me great wrong,
I’m a flyin’-fish sailor, just home from Hong Kong.’

* 6 *

So I spat in his face, an’ I stove in his jaw.
Sez he, ‘Here, young feller, yer breakin’ the law!’

* 7 *

They gave me six months, boys, in ol’ Walton town.
For bootin’ an’ kickin’ an’ blowin’ him down.

* 8 *

Now all ye young fellers what follow the sea,
Put yer vents on the wind an’ just listen to me.

* 9 *

I’ll give ye a warnin’ afore we belay,
Steer clear o’ fat policemen, ye’ll find it’ll pay.

Related to this sea shanty

Tommy’s On The Tops’l Yard

What is in the Pot A-boiling

High O Come Roll Me Over!

Blow The Man Down (B2 – second method)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (B2)

Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down (B2)”. Verses for this version Stan Hugill took from Paddy Delaney, an Irish old-timer, and two or three verses from Bill Fuller who sang them in his version of “Bound Away”.
It was two methods of starting this version, so this is how the second method did go.

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.
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: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 203).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 206, 207).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (B2)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( B - second method ) - Halyard Shanty

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (B2)

Oh, as I wuz a-rollin’ down Great Howard Street,
– Timme WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
A handsome flash packet I chanced for to meet,
– Ooh! GIMME us some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

This spankin’ flash packet she said unto me,
‘There’s a dandy full-rigger just ready to sea.’

* 3 *

This dandy full-rigger to New York wuz bound,
She wuz very well rigged an’ very well found.

* 4 *

So I packet up me sea-bag an’ signed on that day,
An’ with this flash packet I spent me half-pay.

* 5 *

‘Twas when this Blackballer wuz ready for sea’
‘Tis then that you’d see such a hell o’ a spree

* 6 *

There’s tinkers an’ tailors an’ sogers an’ all,
All ship as prime seamen aboard the Blackball.

* 7 *

Oh, muster ye sojers an’ fakirs an’ sich,
An’ hear yer name called by a son-o’-a-bitch.

* 8 *

An, when the Blackballer hauls out o’ the dock,
To see these poor bastards, how on deck they flock.

* 9 *

‘Lay aft here, ye lubbers! Lay aft one an’ all,
I’ll have none o’ yer dodgers aboard this Blackball!’

* 10 *

Now see these poor bastards how aloft they will scoot,
Assisted along by the toe o’ a boot.

* 11 *

The second mate stands ’em all up in a row,
A seam in the deck he sure makes ’em all toe.

* 12 *

It’s ‘Fore tawps’l halyards!’ the mate he will roar,
‘Oh, lay along smartly, ye son-o’-a-whore!’

* 13 *

It’s way aloft, lubbers, shake them tawps’ls out,
The last man in the riggin’ he clouts on the snout.

* 14 *

Oh, lay along smartly each lousy recruit,
Or ’tis lifted ye’ll be by the greaser’s sea-boot.

* 15 *

‘Tis larboard an’ starboard on deck ye will sprawl,
For Kickin’ Jack Williams commands this Blackball.

* 16 *

An’ when the Blacballer is levin’ the dock,
All the pretty young gals on the pierhead do flock.

* 17 *

An’ now when she’s leavin’ the ol’ Merseyside,
All hands are now ordered to scrub the ship’s side.

* 18 *

An’ now when she’s clear over ol’ Mersey Bar,
The mate knocks ’em down with a big caps’n-bar.

* 19 *

An’ when the Blackballer hauls clear o’ the land,
The bosun roars out the hoarse words o’ command.

* 20 *

Yes, soon as the packet is well out to sea,
‘Tis cruel, hard treatement o’ every degree.

* 21 *

Ye’ve handspike hash every day for yer tea,
An’ belayin’-pin soup many times will ye see.

* 22 *

Now we are sailin’ the Western so wide,
An’ the green rollin’ seas run along our black side.

* 23 *

Soon, bully boys, we’ll be back round the Rock,
An’ then, bully boys, we’ll be snug in the dock.

* 24 *

An’ then all the hands they will bundle ashore,
To ship in a Blackballer we’ll niver do more.

* 25 *

So I’ll give ye a warnin’ afore we belay,
Don’t take it for Gospel what spankin’ gals say.

* 26 *

Don’t ye go a-strollin’ down Great Howard Street,
Or else such a chowlah ye’ll happen to meet.

* 27 *

For she’ll spin ye such lies an’ they’ll sign ye away,
On hardcase Blackballer where there’s hell every day.

* 28 *

So we’ll blow the man up, bullies, blow the man down,
Wid a crew o’ hard cases from Liverpool town.

Related to this sea shanty

Roll The Cotton Down (F)

Lower The Boat Down

Sally Brown (B) – Robbins version

Blow The Man Down (B1 – first method)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (B1)

Here is one of the most favorite shanties is the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down (B1)”. Verses for this version Stan Hugill took from Paddy Delaney, an Irish old-timer, and two or three verses from Bill Fuller who sang them in his version of “Bound Away”.
It was two methods of starting this version, so this is how the first method did go.

Stan Hugill left a record on his album: “Chants des Marins Anglais (1992)” where singing with Stormalong John, and this is the version with melody and tempo, I try to replicate.
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: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 203).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 206, 207).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (B1)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( B - first method ) - Halyard Shanty

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (B1)

In the Blackball Line I served My time,
– Timme WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
In the Blackball Line I wasted me prime,
– Ooh! GIMME us some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

Blackball ships are good an’ true,
They’re the ships for me an’ you.

* 3 *

There wuz once a Blackball ship,
That fourteen knots an hour could clip.

* 4 *

‘Twas when this Blackballer wuz ready for sea’
‘Tis then that you’d see such a hell o’ a spree

* 5 *

There’s tinkers an’ tailors an’ sogers an’ all,
All ship as prime seamen aboard the Blackball.

* 6 *

Oh, muster ye sojers an’ fakirs an’ sich,
An’ hear yer name called by a son-o’-a-bitch.

* 7 *

An, when the Blackballer hauls out o’ the dock,
To see these poor bastards, how on deck they flock.

* 8 *

‘Lay aft here, ye lubbers! Lay aft one an’ all,
I’ll have none o’ yer dodgers aboard this Blackball!’

* 9 *

Now see these poor bastards how aloft they will scoot,
Assisted along by the toe o’ a boot.

* 10 *

The second mate stands ’em all up in a row,
A seam in the deck he sure makes ’em all toe.

* 11 *

It’s ‘Fore tawps’l halyards!’ the mate he will roar,
‘Oh, lay along smartly, ye son-o’-a-whore!’

* 12 *

It’s way aloft, lubbers, shake them tawps’ls out,
The last man in the riggin’ he clouts on the snout.

* 13 *

Oh, lay along smartly each lousy recruit,
Or ’tis lifted ye’ll be by the greaser’s sea-boot.

* 14 *

‘Tis larboard an’ starboard on deck ye will sprawl,
For Kickin’ Jack Williams commands this Blackball.

* 15 *

An’ when the Blacballer is levin’ the dock,
All the pretty young gals on the pierhead do flock.

* 16 *

An’ now when she’s leavin’ the ol’ Merseyside,
All hands are now ordered to scrub the ship’s side.

* 17 *

An’ now when she’s clear over ol’ Mersey Bar,
The mate knocks ’em down with a big caps’n-bar.

* 18 *

An’ when the Blackballer hauls clear o’ the land,
The bosun roars out the hoarse words o’ command.

* 19 *

Yes, soon as the packet is well out to sea,
‘Tis cruel, hard treatement o’ every degree.

* 20 *

Ye’ve handspike hash every day for yer tea,
An’ belayin’-pin soup many times will ye see.

* 21 *

Now we are sailin’ the Western so wide,
An’ the green rollin’ seas run along our black side.

* 22 *

Soon, bully boys, we’ll be back round the Rock,
An’ then, bully boys, we’ll be snug in the dock.

* 23 *

An’ then all the hands they will bundle ashore,
To ship in a Blackballer we’ll niver do more.

Related to this sea shanty

Roll The Cotton Down (C) – Halyard Version

Roll The Cotton Down (D)

Oh Köm un Beer for mi (German)

Blow The Man Down (A)

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Man Down (A)

Here is one of the most favored shanty, sung by Stan Hugill, when asked by the Polish National Shantimen Marek Szurawski, he quite unambiguously replied that his most favorite shanties are the tops’l halyard shanty “Blow The Man Down”.
I would also like to thank Artur Pietrzykowski for the wonderful illustration that you can find at the beginning of the record.
The six major versions of “Blow The Man Down” are as follows:
(a) – The Flash Packet (from Ratcliffe Highway).
(b) – The Sailing of the Blackballer.
(c) – The Flying Fish Sailor or Policeman Version.
(d) – The Fishes.
(e) – The Milkmaid.
(f) – Bungyereye.

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 203). 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 203, 205).

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (A)

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.

Blow The Man Down ( A ) - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Blow The Man Down (A) - musical notation

The full lyrics

Blow The Man Down (A)

Oh, as I wuz a rollin’ down Paradise Street,
– Timme WAY, hay, BLOW the man down!
A sassy, flash clipper I chanct for to meet,
– Oooh, GIVE us some time to BLOW the man down!

* 2 *

Of the port that she hailed from I cannot say much,
But by her appearance, I took her for Dutch,

* 3 *

Her flagwuz three colours and her masthead wuz low,
Ahe wuz round in the counter an’ bluff at the bow,

* 4 *

From lardboard to starboard an’ so sailed she,
She wuz sailin’ at large–she wuz runnin’ free.

* 5 *

I fired my bow-chaser the signal she knew,
She backed her maintawps’l an’ for me hove to.

* 6 *

She wuz bowlin’ along with the wind blowin’ free,
She clewed up her curses an’ waited for me.

* 7 *

I hailed her in English she answered me clear,
‘I’m from the Black Arrow bound to the Shakespeare.’

* 8 *

I tipped her me flipper an’ took her in tow,
An’ yard-arm to yard-arm away we did go.

* 9 *

She then took me up to her lily-white room,
An’ there all the evening we danced and we spooned.

* 10 *

Me shot-locker’s empty, me powder’s all spent,
I’ve plenty o’ time, boys, to think and repent.

Related to this sea shanty

Hourra Mes Boués Hourra! (French)

Roll The Cotton Down (A)

Roll The Cotton Down (B)