Blow the Man Down

1 Come all you young fellows who follow the sea,
To me way, hay, blow the man down,
Now, please pay attention and listen to me,
Give me some time to blow the man down!

2 I'm a deep-water sailor just come from Hong Kong.
If you give me some whiskey I'll sing you a song.

3 On a trim Black Ball liner I first served my time.
On a trim Black Ball liner I wasted my prime.

4 When a trim Black Ball liner's preparing for sea,
You'd split your sides laughin', such sights you would see.

5 There's tinkers and tailors, shoemakers and all,
They're all shipped for sailors on board the Black Ball.

6 When a big Black Ball liner's a-leaving her dock,
The boys and the girls on the pierhead do flock.

7 Now, when the big liner is clear of the land,
Our bosun he roars out the word of command.

8 “Come, quickly lay aft to the break of the poop,
Or I'll help you along with the toe of my boot!”

9 “Pay attention to orders, now you one and all,
For see, right above you there flies the Black Ball!

10 “'Tis larboard and starboard on deck you will sprawl,
For ‘Kicking Jack’ Rogers commands the Black Ball!”
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