{"id":2525,"date":"2014-07-12T17:11:53","date_gmt":"2014-07-12T21:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thejovialcrew.com\/?page_id=2525"},"modified":"2018-02-26T09:30:06","modified_gmt":"2018-02-26T13:30:06","slug":"blow-the-man-down","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thejovialcrew.com\/?page_id=2525","title":{"rendered":"Blow the Man Down"},"content":{"rendered":"

A very popular song that has many versions and has shown up in popular culture beyond its halyard chantey roots. Stan Hugill states that it was used primarily for work on the halyards (“halliards”); the long, slow task of hoisting the heavy canvas sails on their yards and spars. The first version is taken from the album \u201cAcross the Western Ocean<\/a>\u201d of John Roberts and Tony Barrand.\u00a0 The second version I had first heard on the 1977 album \u201cSteady as She Goes<\/a>\u201d (Louis Killen, Jeff Warner, Gerret Warner & Fud Benson), and then a longer version by Oscar Brand <\/a>\u2013 after reading the various yarns and memoirs of sailors, one could easily<\/em> see the less savory version being the most often sung shipboard.<\/p>\n

Stan points out that \u201cto blow\u201d here is to strike; the chief mate on Blackballer ships often referred to as the \u201cBlower\u201d while the second mate was called the \u201cStriker\u201d.<\/p>\n

Jos. Morneault<\/p>\n

\"image<\/a>

image by Lyle Galloway<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Oh, as I was a-strolling down Great Howard Street,
\nWay, hay, blow the man down,<\/em><\/strong>
\nA handsome flash packet I chanced for to meet,
\nOh, give me some time to blow the man down.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This charming flash packet, she said unto me:
\nThere’s a dandy Black Baller just ready for sea.<\/p>\n

So I packed up my sea-chest, and I signed on that day,
\nAnd with that flash packet I spent my half-pay.<\/p>\n

And when that Black Baller was ready for sea,
\nOh, it’s then that we went on a hell of a spree.<\/p>\n

There’s tinkers and tailors, and soldiers and all,
\nThey ship as prime seamen upon the Black Ball.<\/p>\n

It’s “Foretops’l halyards!” the mate he will roar,
\nAnd, “Lay aloft smartly, you son of a whore.”<\/p>\n

Yes, it’s larboard and starboard an deck you will sprawl,
\nFor Kickin’ Jack Williams commands this Black Ball.<\/p>\n

As soon as you’re clear over old Mersey Bar,
\nThe mate knocks you down with the end of a spar.<\/p>\n

And as soon as the packet is well out to sea,
\nThen it’s cruel, hard usage of every degree.<\/p>\n

So it’s blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down,
\nWith a craw of hard cases from Liverpool town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Second version<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Oh as I was a-walkin\u2019 down Paradise Street
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To me way, hey, blow the man down!<\/strong><\/em>
\nA charming young damsel I chanced for to meet
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh gimme some time to blow the man down!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

She was round in her quarter and bluff in the bow
\nI tossed her my hauser and took her in tow<\/p>\n

Well she said to me, \u201cSir, would you stand a treat?\u201d
\n\u201cDelighted,\u201d says I, \u201cfor a charmer so sweet!\u201d<\/p>\n

She drank down a pint and I swallowed a quart
\nShe listed to starboard, I listed to port.<\/p>\n

It was up in her quarters she piped me aboard
\nAnd there on her bed I cut loose with my sword!<\/p>\n

Ah but just as me cutter was forging ahead
\nShe shouted, \u201cMy husband!\u201d and jumped outta bed!<\/p>\n

He was seven foot tall, he had a chest like a horse
\nAnd right for me jawbone he plotted his course.<\/p>\n

He loosened my rigging, he kicked in my stays
\nI flew down the stair like a ship on the ways!<\/p>\n

I chanced on a packet what happened on by
\nAnd when I awoke I was bound for Shanghai!<\/p>\n

So come all you young ladies what follows the sea
\nDon\u2019t never take heed of what fair damsels say!<\/p>\n