Digital Tradition Mirror

Blow the Man Down (5)

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Blow the Man Down (5)

Come all you young fellows that follows 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

I'm a deep water sailor just come from Hong Kong
If you give me some whisky, I'll sing you a song

On a trim Black Ball liner, I first served me time
On a trim Black ball liner, I wasted me prime

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

Well, there's tinkers and tailors, shoemakers and all
They're all shipped for sailors on board the Black Ball

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

Now when the big liner is clear of the land
Our bos'un he roars out the word of command

"Come quickly lay aft to the break of the poop
Or I'll help you along with the toe of me boot!"

"Pay attention to orders, now you one and all
For see high above you there flies the Black Ball"

 "'Tis larboard and starboard on deck you will sprawl
For Kicking Jack Rogers commands the Black Ball!"

JB

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!