Blow the Man Down

A widely-known halyard shanty with several references dating at least to the 1860s.^[1] Countless versions of the song exist with seemingly endless variations in lyrics and verses, some overlapping significantly with other songs, such as Fish in the Sea.

The Longest Johns' version appears as track 12 on Between Wind and Water.

Factoids

The Black Ball Line was trans-Atlantic shipping line running between Liverpool and New York City. Originally founded in 1817 as the Wright, Thompson, Marshall, & Thompson Line, the company was known for being the first to provide regularly scheduled service, rather than varying departures based on the dictates of winds and cargo availability.^[2]

Kicking Jack Williams refers to Capt. John E. Williams, a noted officer on the Black Ball Line with a reputation as a demanding taskmaster. As captain of the clipper Andrew Jackson in 1859-60, he gained fame for a record-setting trip between New York and San Francisco, making the trip in 89 days and 4 hours.^[3]

The tune is the basis for the Spongebob Squarepants theme song, and the Johns have occasionally referenced this fact in performances of the song by including the verse:

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea
(Wey hey, blow the man down)
Absorbant and yellow and porous is he
(Give me some time to blow the man down)

Lyrics

These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns on their album Between Wind and Water. Too many variations of this song exist to even guess at an original version of the lyrics.

Come all ye young fellows who follow the sea
(To me! Wey hey, blow the man down)
And pray pay attention and listen to me
(Give me some time to blow the man down) [continues throughout verses]

I'm a deep water sailor just in from Hong Kong
If you buy me a drink, then I'll sing you a song

{Chorus}
Blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down
Wey hey, blow the man down
Blow him right back into Liverpool town
Give me some time to blow the man down

There's tinkers and tailors and soldiers and all
They all ship for sailors on board the Black Ball

You'll see those poor devils, how they will all scoot
Assisted along by the toe of a boot

{Chorus}

It's starboard and larboard on deck they will sprawl
For kickin' Jack Williams commands the Black Ball

Lay aft now, ya lubbers, lay aft now I say
I'll none of yer dodges on my ship today

{Chorus}

So I'll give you fair warning before we belay
Don't ever take heed of what shantymen say

{Chorus}

Recordings

Streaming/Purchase

Youtube Videos

Gig Videos

Full Band Streams

Gaming Streams

[1] ttps://www.vwml.org/roudnumber/2624

[2] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ball_Line_(trans-Atlantic_packet)

[3] ttps://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/Doe017.html

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