Blow the Man Down (A) [202-205] (157-160)

Hugill writes:
"Blow the Man Down originated in the Western Ocean Sailing Packets; it was the war-cry of the Packet Rats."

Here is the well-known halyards chantey, in a version with the more common sort of storyline about a "Flash Packet" (euphemism for a "fast woman"), which is based in an old ballad, "Ratcliffe Highway." Like the latter, the lyrics can get as bawdy as one wishes, and I have stopped at the meeting of the two "ships"; what happens afterwards is recounted in many other forebitters and chanteys!

Also found in:
Sharp 1888 (his is "Knock a Man Down"!), Doerflinger 1951

Please check out the whole chanteys project playlist, at
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=58B55DD66F22060C

Category:

Music

Tags:

• blow
• the
• man
• down
• shanty
• chantey
• halyard
• sea
• song
• bawdy
• packet
• ship

[universeiswise]

dont quit your day job

[hultonclint]

@universeiswise Chanties are work songs.

[philipsmovies]

Excellent rendition. I am not being cheeky but i imagine you on your fishing boat with your laptop and replying to comments. I can't imagine though where you put your pint of beer without spilling it! Cheers.