Blow The Man Down
This was the number one hauling song of the Western Ocean packet rats. Paradise street, in this version, was to the sailor an earthly paradise, where after a long voyage, no man his master, he would stroll ashore, money in his pockets to burn, seeking female company.
Oh, as I wuz a-rollin' down Pa-ra-dise Street, Tim-me way, hay, blow the man down!
A sassy flash clipper I chanct for to meet, Ooh! Give us some time to blow the man down!
2. This spankin' flash packet she said unto me,
"There's a dandy full-rigger[Blackballer] just ready for sea."
3. This dandy full-rigger to New York wuz bound,
She wuz very well rigged and very well found.
4. So I packed up me sea chest and signed on that day
An' with this flash packet I spent me half-pay.
5. 'Twas when this Blackballer wuz ready for sea,
'Tis then that you'll see such a hell of a spree.
6. There's tinkers an' tailors an' soldiers an' all
All ship as prime seamen aboard this Blackball
7. "Lay aft, here, ye lubbers, lay aft one an' all,
I'll have none o'yer dodges aboard this Blackball!"
8. An' now when she's clear over ol' Mersey Bar,
The mate knocks 'em down with a big capstan bar.
9. As soon as this packet is well out to sea,
There's cruel hard treatment o'every degree.
10. So we'll blow the man up, bullies, blow the man down,
Wid a crew o'hard cases from Liverpool town!
There are a lot of different versions out there. And do me a favor, when you sing a sea shantie, don't use proper English! Get in the spirit and use the lingo!
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