Submitted by: Russell Ambrose

Description:
Blow the Man Down is a sea shanty. The lyric "Blow the man down" refers to the act of knocking a man to the ground.The full lyrics areChorus:Oh, blow the man down, bullies, blow the man downWay aye blow the man downOh, blow the man down, bullies, blow him awayGive me some time to blow the man down!As I was a walking down Paradise StreetWay aye blow the man downA pretty young damsel I chanced for to meet.Give me some time to blow the man down!ChorusShe was round in the counter and bluff in the bow,Way aye blow the man downSo I took in all sail and cried, "Way enough now."Give me some time to blow the man down!ChorusSo I tailed her my flipper and took her in towWay aye blow the man downAnd yardarm to yardarm away we did go.Give me some time to blow the man down!ChorusBut as we were going she said unto meWay aye blow the man downThere`s a spanking full-rigger just ready for sea.Give me some time to blow the man down!ChorusBut as soon as that packet was clear of the barWay aye blow the man downThe mate knocked me down with the end of a spar.Give me some time to blow the man down!ChorusIt`s starboard and larboard on deck you will sprawlWay aye blow the man downFor Kicking Jack Williams commands the Black Ball.Give me some time to blow the man down!ChorusSo I give you fair warning before we belay,Way aye blow the man downDon`t ever take heed of what pretty girls say.Give me some time to blow the man down!ChorusReferences in the lyricsParadise Street is a street in Liverpool, England that was frequented by sailors whose ships had docked at the port. A traditional explanation of its origins is that the Black Ballers were fast packet ships of the American Black Ball Line that sailed between New York and Liverpool towards the end of the 19th century.Sailors reached America about 4 weeks after leaving Liverpool and returned about 3 weeks later. The speedy journey meant that sailors were paid earlier than those on other lines making the Black Ball ships very popular.Sailors were regularly beaten on these ships and being "blown down" was a man on the deck floor as a result.