The origins of this song seem to be held around the 1810’s and 20’s, according to several sources, and gained popularity with the years leading up to the American Civil War. The “black sheep” are in fact slaves being run through the British embargo to halt the trade, “black fever” being the hunger of the slave states for the trade. This was an age of “packet rat” sailors working under tyrant masters running for the quick money… aboard these “hell ships” the master would have the men labour to the point where the mast and yards constantly appeared polished and new, painted white and similar colours (rather than the darker colours seen on most other vessels); a common indication of a Yankee packet – marks of terrible discipline. They would be running to the Guinea coast, Africa, for their cargo.
This version I learned from the singing of the Clancy Brothers.
Jos. Morneault
E A
Oh, was you ever on the Congo River?
F#m E A
Blow, boys, blow!
. E A E
Black Fever makes the white man shiver!
E B E
Blow me bully boys, blow!
A Yankee ship came down the river. Blow, boys, blow!
Her masts and yards, they shun like silver. Blow me bully boys, blow!
>>> Now Blow me boys, and blow forever! Blow, boys, blow!
Well blow me down that Congo River! Blow me bully boys, blow!
Well what do ya think that had for cargo? Blow, boys, blow!
Why black sheep that had run the embargo! Blow me bully boys, blow!
Now what do ya think they had for dinner? Blow, boys, blow!
Well a monkey’s heart and a donkey’s liver! Blow me bully boys, blow!
>>> Now Blow me boys, and blow forever! Blow, boys, blow!
Well blow me down that Congo River! Blow me bully boys, blow!
Now yonder comes the Arrow packet. Blow, boys, blow!
She fires her guns. Can ya hear the racket! Blow me bully boys, blow!
Well who do ya think was the skipper of her? Blow, boys, blow!
Why Bully Hayes, that sailor robber! Blow me bully boys, blow!
>>> Now Blow me boys, and blow forever! Blow, boys, blow!
Well blow me down that Congo River! Blow me bully boys, blow!