Blow the man down lyrics

Come all ye young fellows that follow the sea

(To me weigh hey blow the man down)

And pray pay attention and listen to me

(Give me some time to blow the man down)

I’m a deep water sailor just in from Hong Kong

If you’ll give me some rum I’ll sing you a song

T’was on a Black Baller I first spent my time

And on that Black Baller I wasted my prime

T’is when a Black Baller’s preparing for sea

You’d split your sides laughing at the sights that you see

With the tinkers and tailors and soldiers and all

That ship for prime seamen onboard a Black Ball

T’is when a Black Baller is clear of the land

Our boatswain then gives us the word of command

“Lay aft” is the cry “to the break of the poop

Or I’ll help you along with the toe of my boot”

T’is larboard and starboard on the deck you will sprawl

For Kicking Jack Williams commands the Black Ball

Aye first it’s a fist and then it’s a pall

When you ship as a sailor aboard the Black Ball