Shanties from the seven seas Archives - Page 24 of 42

Blow The Man Down (E)

December 26, 2023May 1, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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.

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)

December 26, 2023May 1, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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)

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)

December 26, 2023May 1, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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).

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)

December 26, 2023May 1, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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)

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)

December 26, 2023May 1, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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)

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)

December 26, 2023May 1, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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

The Record of the Blow The Man Down (A)

Blow The Man Down ( A ) - Halyard Shanty

The 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)

The Fishes A

December 23, 2023May 1, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about The Fishes A

This is a great shanty, sang usually at the capstan and at the pumps “The Fishes”. In this particular version, Stan Hugill learned from an old seaman who sailed in the cooper ore barques of the Bristol Channel, the version will include an alternative starting verse learned from a mentioned 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.

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 A

The musical notation

The full lyrics

The Fishes A

Oh, a ship she was rigged, and ready for sea,
And all of her sailors were fishes to be.

– Then blow ye winds westerly, westerly blow,
– Our ship she’s in full sail,
– Now steady she goes!

* 2 *

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

* 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

South Australia (Doerflinger Version)

South Australia – L. A. Smith Version

The Codfish Shanty

As I Went A-Walking Down Ratcliffe Highway

December 26, 2023April 26, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about As I Went A-Walking Down Ratcliffe Highway

Here is the old forebitter “Ratcliffe Highway”; which was sometimes sung at the pumps and the capstan. This version mentioned by Stan Hugill comes from William Doerflinger’s “Shantymen and Shantyboys” (1951). Doerflinger mentions about is that the same stanza words; were sung in the halyard shanty “Blow the Man Down”. Captain Tayluer believed this song; was composed about 1840; by an East India trader.
In Doerflinger’s book, we can find this song in the chapter “Deep-Water Songs”.
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: “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 201).

The Record of As I Went A-Walking Down Ratcliffe Highway

As I Went A-Walking Down Ratcliffe Highway - Capstan Shanty

The musical notation

The full lyrics

As I Went A-Walking Down Ratcliffe Highway

    *introductory verse*

Now, Come all you young sailors and listen to me,
Sure I’ll tell you a story all about the high sea,
Well it ain’t very short, nor it’s not very long,
It’s of a Flyin’ Fish sailor bound ‘ome from ‘Ong Kong.

– With you fol the did-dle lol did-dy, fol de did-dle lol did-dy,
– fol-the did-dle lol did-dy, hay, hay, hay,
– fol-the did-dle lol did-dy, fol de did-dle lol did-dy,
– fol the did-dle lol did-dy, hood-le dum day!

* 2 *

Now as we went a-walking down Rat’liffe Highway,
Well, a flash-lookin’ packet we chanced for to see,
She was bowling along with the waind blowing free,
And she clewed up her courses and waited for me.

* 3 *

Now, she ‘ad up no flags did she show;
She was round in the counter and bluff in the bow.
Were she did ‘ail from I could not tell,
But I threw out my flipper and we’re both bound to hell!

* 4 *

Now, into a snug little corner, oh soon we did moor,
Just be’ind the little table around the door.
We eat there and drank till we nearly did bust,
Then she let out first with her Irishman’s roar, etc…

* 5 *

I’ll bring you silk dresses and all that I know,
Fine gold rings and stones from the islands, you know.
I’ll bring you home plenty of money to spend,
If you’ll only wait till I do return,

(Final chorus, slower)

Related to this sea shanty

Sacramento – Norvegian English worded version

Heisevise (Norvegian Wergland version)

Bound To California

Ratcliffe Highway

December 23, 2023April 26, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

Interesting Facts about the Ratcliffe Highway

Here is the old forebitter “Ratcliffe Highway”, which was sometimes sung at the pumps and the capstan, as told to Stan Hugill, his fellow sailor Paddy Delaney, who used to sail in the old days on the Packet Ships. As Stan Hugill tells us, regarding the words of this song, they were used in the first version of “Blow the Man Down”, which Stan Hugill calls in his book the “Blow the Man Down – A”.
As one of these Western Ocean shanties, I will reconstruct with a common introductory verse (first verse at the beginning).
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 forebitter.

The source of this sea shanty

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

The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 200, 201).

The Record of the Ratcliffe Highway

The musical notation

The full lyrics

Ratcliffe Highway

    *introductory verse*

Come all ye young sailors an’ listen to me,
I’ll sing ye a song all about the high sea,
Now it tain’t very short, nor it tain’t very long,
‘Tis of a Flyin’ Fish Sailor just home from Hong Kong.

– Singin’ too-relye-addie, too-relye-addie,
– Singin’ too-relye-addie, aye, too-relye-ay!

* 1 *

Now as I wuz a walkin’ down Ratcliffe Highway,
A flash lookin’ packet I chanet for to say,
Of the port that she hailed from I cannot say much,
But by her appearance I took her for Dutch,

* 2 *

Her flag wuz three colours, her masthead wuz low,
She wuz round the counter an’ bluff at the bow.
From larboard to starboard an’ so sailed she,
She wuz sailing at large, she wuz runnin’ free.

* 3 *

She wuz bowlin’ along wid her wind blowin’ free;
She clewed up her courses an’ waited for me.
I fired me bow-chaser, the signal she knew,
She backed her maintops’l an’ for me hove to.

* 4 *

I hailed her in ENglish, she answered me clear,
I’m from the Black Arrow, bound to the Shakespeare,
So I wore ship an’ with a ‘What d’ya know?’
I passed ‘er me hawser an’ took ‘er in tow.

* 5 *

I tipped up my flipper an’ took her in tow,
And yard-arm to yard-arm away we did go,
She then took me up her lily-white room,
An’ there all the evening we drank and we spooned.

(Verses 6 and 7 omitted.)

* 6 *

Soon the evening did pass, boys, I lashed up an’ stowed,
I gave her some shillings ‘fore I left her abode,
But it ‘twarn’t quite enough, boys, she wanted some more,
She cursed me an’ called me a son-o’-a-whore.

She blazed like a frigate, at me she let fire,
An’ nothing could stem, boys, that Irish tart’s ire,
She kicked me an’ cursed me an’ stove in me jaw,
An’ I beat retreat through her open back-door.

* 7 *

I’ve fought wid the Russians, the Prussians also,
I’ve fought wid the Dutch, an’ wid Johnny Crapo,
But of all the fine fights that I ever did see,
She beat all the fights o’ the heathen Chinee.

* 8 *

Now all ye young sailors take a warnin’ I say,
Take it aisy, me boys, when yer down that Highway,
Steer clear of them flash gals, on the Highway do dwell,
Or they’ll take up yer flipper an’ yer soon bound ter Hell!

Related to this Forebitter

The Fishes – W. B. Whall

The Limejuice Ship (Short Chorus)

Oh, Aye, Rio

Knock A Man Down

December 23, 2023April 26, 2022 by Jerzy Brzezinski

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

The musical 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.

Related to this sea shanty

Sacramento (D)

Banks Of Sacramento – Patterson Capstan version

Sacramento – Version from German barque Gustav