Knock A Man Down

Interesting Facts about the Knock A Man Down

This is one of the earliest versions of the shanty sang at the capstan or at the pump “Blow The Man Down”, this version comes from Cecil Sharp’s “English Folk-Chanteys” (1914). Stan Hugill mentioned is this song was probably the Hoosier version.
“Hoosier” refers to the cotton-Stowers, both black and white, who move cotton bales from docks to the holds of ships, forcing the bales in tightly using jackscrews. A low-status job, it nevertheless is referred to in various sea shanty lyrics. “Shanties from the Seven Seas” includes lyrics that mention Hoosiers.
Cecil Sharp in his book says:
“I have supplemented Mr. Short’s words – he could only remember two stanzas – with lines from other versions.
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 capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 200).

The lyrics:  “English Folk Chanteys” by Cecil James Sharp (1914).

The Record of the Knock A Man Down

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.

Knock A Man Down - Capstan Shanties

The musical notation

Knock A Man Down - music notation

The full lyrics

Knock A Man Down

– Knock a man down, kick a man down;
– way ay knock a man down,
– Knock a man down right down to the ground,
– O give me some time to knock a man down.

The watchman’s dog stood ten foot high;
– way ay kno-ck a man down,
The watchman’s dog stood ten foot high;
– O give me some time to knock a man down.

* 2 *

A livery ship and a lively crew.
A livery ship and a lively crew.

* 3 *

O we are the boys to put her through
O we are the boys to put her through

* 4 *

I wish I was in London Town.
I wish I was in London Town.

* 5 *

It’s there we’d make the girls fly round.
It’s there we’d make the girls fly round.

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Sacramento (D)

Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version

Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav

The Fishes B

Interesting Facts about The Fishes B

This is a great shanty, sang usually at the capstan and at the pumps “The Fishes B”. This particular version, popular in the south of England, Stan Hugill had had it from a Devonshire seaman. In the book, Stan Hugill gives us only two first stanzas, due to the other ones were taken from the “Blow The Man Down” shanty, so I took another 3 verses from the mentioned shanty, to make this reconstruction a sensible length, and a bit more entertaining.
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 capstan shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 198).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 198).

The Record of The Fishes B

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 Fishes B - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The Fishes B - music notation

The full lyrics

The Fishes B

I’ll sing you a song of the fish of the sea,
An’ I’ll trust that ye’ll join in this chorus with me.

– Wi’a wind-y old weather! Stormy old waether!
– When the wind blows, we’ll all heave together!

* 2 *

O, the first came the herring, the king of the sea,
He jumped on the poop, “I’ll be captain,” said he.

* 3 *

The next was a flat-fish, they call him the skate,
“If you be the captain, why sure, I’m the mate.”

* 4 *

The next came the hake, as black as a rook,
Says he, “I’m no sailor, I’ll ship as the cook.”

* 5 *

The next came the shark, with his two rows of teeth,
“Cook, mind the cabbage and I’ll mind the beef.”

Related to this sea shanty

Sacramento (B)

Sacramento (C)

Der Hamborger Veermaster

The Fishes – W. B. Whall

Interesting Facts about The Fishes – W. B Whall

Here are The Fishes – W B Whall, forebitter version of the great shanty, sang usually at the capstan and at the pumps “The Fishes”. This version mentioned by Stan Hugill belonging to the W. B. Whall, and comes from his book “Sea Songs Ships & Shanties” (4th extended edition 1913). According to Captain Whall:
…”this song, probably owed much of its popularity to the good chorus. This song has a good opportunity for the improviser. Even if he got off the beaten track it did not matter much, as any verse gave an opportunity for the chorus. Out
of many such I remember hearing:

” The next came the conger as long as a mile,
He gave a broad grin and continued to smile.”

Sometimes the improviser broke down, but the chorus promptly chipped in and saved the situation.
According to Stan Hugill, the version of W. B. Whall appears to have been used as a forebitter rather than as a shanty, and in this way, I will reconstruct it.

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 198).

The lyrics:  “Sea Songs Ships & Shanties” by William Boultbee Whall (4th extended edition 1913).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 197,198).

The Record of The Fishes – W. B Whall

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 Fishes (Whall) - Forebitter

The musical notation

The Fishes (Whall) - music notation

The full lyrics

The Fishes (Whall)

Oh, a ship she was rigg’d, and ready for sea,
And all of her sailors were fishes to be

– Windy weather! Stormy weather!
– When the wind blows we’re all together.

* 2 *

O, the first came the herring, the king of the sea,
He jumped on the poop, “I’ll be captain,” said he.

* 3 *

The next was a flat-fish, they call him the skate,
“If you be the captain, why sure, I’m the mate.”

* 4 *

The next came the hake, as black as a rook,
Says he, “I’m no sailor, I’ll ship as the cook.”

* 5 *

The next came the shark, with his two rows of teeth,
“Cook, mind the cabbage and I’ll mind the beef.”

* 6 *

And then came the codfish, with his chuckle-head,
He jumped in the chains: began heaving the lead.

* 7 *

The next came the flounder, as flat as the ground,
“Chuckle-head, damn your eyes, mind how you sound.”

* 8 *

The next comes the mack’rel, with his stri-ped back,
He jumped to the waist for to board the main tack.

* 9 *

And then came the sprat, the smallest of all,
He jumped on the poop, and cried, “main topsail haul.”

Related to this Forebitter

Roll Alabama Roll! – Forebitter

Rolling Home – W. B. Whall

The Limejuice Ship (Long Chorus)

Blow The Wind Wester. – Second Version

Interesting Facts about the Blow The Wind Wester. – Second Version

According to Stan Hugill, both versions of the “Blow The Wind Wester.” song, recorded and documented by Cecil Sharp in the “Journal of the Folk-Song Society” (No 18 from January 1914) was a shanty sang at capstan and at the pumps. This version was Sung by Mrs. L. Hoper, Hambridge, Somerset, April 4th, 1904.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Journal of the Folk-Song Society” (No 18 from January 1914).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 197).

The Record of the Blow The Wind Wester. – Second 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 Wind Wester. (Cecil Sharp Second Version) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

Blow The Wind Wester. - Second Version - music notation

The full lyrics

Blow The Wind Wester. (Second Version)

Up jumps the salmon,
The largest o’ ’em all;
He jumps on our fore-deck,
Say-ing; Here’s meat for all.

– O blow the wind whistling, O blow the winds all!
– Our ship is still hearted, boys, How steady she go!

* 2 *

Up jumps the shark,
The largest of all;
He jumps on our fore-deck:
You should die all!

* 3 *

Then up jumps the sprat,
The smallest of all ;
He jumps on our fore-deck,
Saying: We shall be drowned all!

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Sacramento (A)

Blow The Wind Wester. – First Version

Interesting Facts about Blow The Wind Wester. (First Version)

According to Stan Hugill, both version of the “Blow The Wind Wester.” song, recorded and documented by Cecil Sharp in the “Journal of the Folk-Song Society” (No 18 from January 1914) was a shanty sang at capstan and at the pumps. This version was Sung by Mr. Wm. Woolley (aged 84), Bincombe, Somerset, January 6th, 1908.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Journal of the Folk-Song Society” (No 18 from January 1914).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 197).

The Record of the Blow The Wind Wester. – First 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 Wind Wester. (Cecil Sharp First Version) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

Blow The Wind Wester. - First Version - music notation

The full lyrics

Blow The Wind Wester. (First Version)

It’s up jumps the sprat, the smallest of them all;
She jumped on the foredeck, well done, my lads all…

– So blow the wind wester, blow the wind, blow!
– Our ship she’s in full sail, how steady she goes.

* 2 *

Then up jumps the eel, with his slippery tail;
He jumped on the fore deck and glistened the sail.

* 3 *

Then up jumps the nirl-log, with his pretty spots;
He jumped on the fore deck and looked on the top.

* 4 *

Then up jumps the nirl-log, with his rolling teeth;
He said: “Mr. Captain, shall I cook your beef? “

* 5 *

Then up jumps the roter, the king of the sea;
He jumped on the fore deck and turned the key.

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Rio Grande (A. Connan Doyle version)

Blow The Wind Southerly – Shore Song

Interesting Facts about Blow The Wind Southerly

The melody and text of the Blow The Wind Southerly, which you will hear in my reconstruction, were taken from the earliest source I can achieve W. G. Whittaker’s “Blow The WInds Southetly” (1921 by J.Curwen & Sons Ltd.), but the origin, of course, is much older and some part of this song was first in print in the Sharp, Cuthbert, ed. (1834) “The bishoprick garland, or A collection of legends, songs, ballads, &c. belonging to the county of Durham”. This song generally is called “The Fishes”, it is the origin of the shanty under the same title. What we know about it this song is undoubtedly a Scottish fishermen’s song.

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the shore song.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Blow The WInds Southetly” by W. G. Whittaker (1921 by J.Curwen & Sons Ltd.).

The lyrics:  “Blow The WInds Southetly” by W. G. Whittaker (1921 by J.Curwen & Sons Ltd.).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 197).

The Record of the Blow The Wind Southerly

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 Wind Southerly - Shore Song

The musical notation

Blow The Wind Southerly -music notation

The full lyrics

Blow The Wind Southerly

Blow-the wind southerly, southerly, southerly,
Blow
the wind south o’er the bonnie blue sea;
Blow-the wind southerly southerly southerly
Blow bonnie breeze, my lover to me

They told me last night there were ships in the offing.
And I hurried down to the deep rolling sea;
But my eye could not see it, wherever might be it
The barque that is bearing my lover to me.

* 2 *

Blo.w the wind southerly, southerly, southerly
Blow the wind south, that my lover may come;
Blo
.w the wind southerly southerly southerly,
Blow bonnie breeze, and bring him safe home.

I stood by the lighthouse the last time we parted,
Till darkness came down o’er the deep rolling sea!
And no longer I saw the bright bark of my lover–
Blow bonnie ‘breeze, and ‘bring him to me.

* 3 *

Blo.w the wind southerly, southerly, southerly
Blow the wind south, that my lover may come;
Blo
.w the wind southerly southerly southerly,
Blow bonnie ‘breeze, and ‘bring him to me.

Is it not ‘sweet to ‘hear the breeze singing,
As lightly it comes o’er the deep rolling sea?
But sweeter and dearer by far when ’tis bringing
The bark of my true love in safety to me.

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The Codfish Shanty

Interesting Facts about The Codfish Shanty

One another version of the very popular capstan shanty “South Australia” is a version called “The Codfish Shanty”, and it’s due to on account of the prominence of the codfish in this shanty. The following version is got by Stan Hugill from his shipmate shantymen Harding (American version), and Paddy Delaney old-timer who told Stan Hugill about British alternatives.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 196).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 196).

The Record of The Codfish Shanty

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 Codfish Shanty - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The Codfish Shanty - music notation

The full lyrics

The Codfish Shanty

Down east gals ain’t got no combs,
– Heave away! Heave away!
They comb their hair wi’a whale fish bone,
– An’ we’re bound for south Australia!

– Heave-away, me bully, bully boys,
– Heave-away! Heave away!
– Heave away, why don’t ye make some noise?
– An’ we’re bound for South Australia!

* 2 *

Yankee gals don’t sleep on beds,
They go to sleep on codfish’s heads,

* 3 *

Cape Cod gals have got big feet,
Codfish’s rows is nice an’ sweet.

* 4 *

Quaker gals don’t wear no frills,
They’re tight an’ skinny as a halibut’s gills.

* 5 *

Glou’ster gals make damn fine cooks,
They’re good at catching sprats on hooks.

* 6 *

Nantucket gals are very fine,
They know how to bait a codfish line.

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Rio Grande (D)

Rio Grande (E)

South Australia – L. A. Smith Version

Interesting Facts about the South Australia – L. A. Smith Version

South Australia – L. A. Smith Version”, is usually sung at capstan (anchor) and pumps. This version comes from L. A. Smith’s “Music Of The Waters” (1888), Stan Hugill claims South Australia – L. A. Smith Version is too sentimental and “Shore-ified” to ring genuine, also he says L. A. Smith makes too much use of the word “main”, word sailors never used for “sea”.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 49, 50).

The lyrics:  “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 49, 50).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 195).

The Record of South Australia – L. A. SmithVersion

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South Australia (L. A. Smith  Version) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

South Australia - L. A. Smith  Version - music notation

The full lyrics

South Australia (L. A. Smith Version)

– Heave away, Heave away,
– Heave away, you Ruler King,
– I am bound to South Australia,

* 1 *

South Australia is my native home,
Heave away! Heave away!
South Australia is my native home,
I’m bound to south Australia!

– Heave away, Heave away,
– Heave away, you Ruler King,
– I am bound to South Australia,

* 2 *

There ain’t but the one thing grieves my mind,
To leave my dear wife and child behind.

* 3 *

I see my wife standing on the quay,
The tears do start as she waves to me.

* 4 *

When I am on a foreign shore,
I’ll think of the wife that I adore.

* 5 *

Those crosses you see at the bottom of the lines,
Are only to put me in mind.

* 6 *

As I was standing on the pier,
A fair young maid to me appeared.

* 7 *

As I am standing on a foreign shore,
I’ll drink to girl that I adore.

* 8 *

For I’ll tell you the truth, and I’ll tell you no lie,
If I don’t love that girl I hope I may die.

* 9 *

Liza Lee, she promised me,
When I retured she would marry me.

* 10 *

And now I am on a foreign strand,
With a glass of whisky in my hand,

* 11 *

And I’ll drink a glass to the foreign shore,
And one to the girl that I adore.

* 12 *

When I am homeward bound again,
My name I’ll publish on the main.

* 13 *

With a good captain and a jolly crew,
A good captain and chief mate, too,

* 14 *

Now fare thee well, fare thee well,
For sweet news to my girl I’ll tell.

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South Australia (Doerflinger Version)

Interesting Facts about the South Australia (Doerflinger Version)

South Australia (Doerflinger Version) was a shanty; it was usually been sung; by the sailors on board the merchant ships; at the capstan (anchor) and pumps. South Australia was probably, created by the emigrant days; when thousands traveled by sailing ship to Semaphore Roads, Port Adelaide, South Australia. Here version from William Main Doerflinger’s book “Shantymen And Shantyboys” (1951). In the Doerflinger’s book; we also can meet another forgotten shantyman for a list of great shantymen from who William Doerflinger has this song: William Laurie of Sailors’ Snug Harbor.
Unfortunately, Doerflinger recorded only one stanza of this beautiful version.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 195).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 195).

The Record of South Australia (Doerflinger 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.

South Australia (Doerflinger Version) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

South Australia (Doerflinger Version) - music notation

The full lyrics

South Australia. (Doerflinger Version)

Oh, in South Australia where I was born,
– Heave away! Haul away!
In South Australia round Cape Horn,
– I’m – bound; for south Australia!

– Heave away, you Ruler King
– Heave away! Haul away!
– Heave away, don’t you hear me sing?
– We’re bound; for South Australia!

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South Australia (Harlow version)

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Larry Marr

South Australia (Harlow version)

Interesting Facts about South Australia (Harlow version)

“South Australia (Harlow version)”, is usually sung at capstan (anchor) and pumps. This shanty had a rather poor regulation pattern and all shantymen had to improvise to make it see the job through. This version mentioned by Stan Hugill comes from Frederick Pease Harlow’s “The Making of a Sailor” (1928). According to Harlows shipmate, this version was sung as anchor shanty on the very famous clipper ship Thermopylae. A couple of words about Harlow’s shantyman, I know usually shantymen were anonymous artists, they turned sailors’ life for better, and also made jobs easier by using shanties, this time we don’t know a surname but at least we know the name of the Harlow’s, so we can call him a Shantyman Dave.
Stan Hugill gives us only the original lyrics from “The Making of a Sailor”, but he forgot about the melody, so I took it myself from Harlow’s book.

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

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “The Making of a Sailor” by Frederick Pease Harlow (1928).

The lyrics:  “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 194, 195).

The Record of South Australia (Harlow 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.

South Australia (Harlow's Version) - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

South Australia (Harlow version) - music notation

The full lyrics

South Australia (Harlow version)

South Australia is my native land,
– Heave away! Heave away!
Mountains rich in quartz and sand,
– I am bound for south Australia!

– He-ave away! Heave away!
– He
ave away, you Ruler King
– I am bound for South Australia!

* 2 *

Gold and wool, brings ships to our shore,
And our coal will load many more.

* 3 *

Here’s a packet anchored off the pier,
There’s a bar ashore with foaming beer.

* 4 *

Heave! Oh heave! and we’ll all go ashore,
Where we will drink with girls galore.

* 5 *

Glasses filled, we’ll touch with a clink,
Heave! bullies, heave! the girls want a drink.

* 6 *

I see Julia, standing on the quay,
With a dame for you and me.

* 7 *

At the head of Sandridge Raiload pier,
Straight to Mother Shilling’s we’ll steer.

* 8 *

Julia slings the sheoak at the bar
And welcomes sailors from afar.

* 9 *

In the dance hall there you’ll pick your girl
With golden hair and teeth of pearl.

* 10 *

She will drink you while at the bar,
And call you, “Dear, my own Jack Tar.”

* 11 *

She’ll waltz you round in a dizzy dance,
While you’re half drunk and in a trance.

* 12 *

Then we’ll drink to Mother Shilling’s name,
And drink again to the lovely dame.

* 13 *

In the arms of girls we’ll dance and sing,
For sheoak will be Ruler King.

* 14 *

Drunk! For sheoak’s gone to our head,
The girls can put us all to bed.

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