Blow the Man Down

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;
To me weigh, hey, blow the man down.
If you'll give me some rum, I'll sing you a song;
Give me some time to blow the man down.

'Twas on a Black Baller I first spent my time;
To me weigh, hey, blow the man down.
And on that Black Baller I wasted my prime;
Give me some time to blow the man down.

'Tis when a Black Baller's preparing for sea;
To me weigh, hey, blow the man down.
You'd split your sides laughing at the sights that you see;
Give me some time to blow the man down.

With the tinkers and tailors and soldiers and all;
To me weigh, hey, blow the man down.
That ship for prime seamen onboard a Black Ball;
Give me some time to blow the man down.

'Tis when a Black Baller is clear of the land;
To me weigh, hey, blow the man down.
Our boatswain then gives us the word of command;
Give me some time to blow the man down.

"Lay aft," is the cry to the break of the poop;
To me weigh, hey, blow the man down.
Or I'll help you along with the toe of my boot;
Give me some time to blow the man down.

'Tis larboard and starboard, on the deck you will sprawl;
To me weigh, hey, blow the man down.
For "Kicking Jack" Williams commands the Black Ball;
Give me some time to blow the man down.

Aye, first it's a fist, and then it's a pall;
To me weigh, hey, blow the man down.
When you ship as a sailor aboard the Black Ball;
Give me some time to blow the man down.

Blow the man down, blow the man down;
Give me some time to blow the man down.