As I was a walking down Paradise Street
Way hey blow the man down
A pretty young damsel I chanced for to meet.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
She was round in the counter and bluff in the bow,
Way hey blow the man down
So I took in all sail and cried, "Way enough now."
Give me some time to blow the man down!
I hailed her in English, she answered me clear,
Way hey blow the man down
"I'm from the Black Arrow bound to the Shakespeare."
Give me some time to blow the man down!
So I tailed her my flipper and took her in tow
Way hey blow the man down
And yardarm to yardarm away we did go.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
But as we were going she said unto me
Way hey blow the man down
There's a spanking full-rigger just ready for sea.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
That spanking full-rigger to New York was bound;
Way hey blow the man down
She was very well manned and very well found.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
And as soon as that packet was out on the sea,
Way hey blow the man down
`Twas devilish hard treatment of every degree.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
But as soon as that packet was clear of the bar
Way hey blow the man down
The mate knocked me down with the end of a spar.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
It's starboard and larboard on deck you will sprawl
Way hey blow the man down
For Kicking Jack Williams commands the Black Ball.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
So I give you fair warning before we belay,
Way hey blow the man down
Don't ever take heed of what pretty girls say.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
A bonnie good mate and a captain too,
Way hey blow the man down
A bonnie good ship and a bonnie good crew,
Give me some time to blow the man down!
Blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down;
Way hey blow the man down
Blow the man down, bullies, pull him around.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
Blow the man down, you darlings, lie down,
Way hey blow the man down
Blow the man down for fair London town.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
When the Black Baller is ready for sea,
Way hey blow the man down
That is the time that you see such a spree.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
There's tinkers, and tailors, and soldiers, and all,
Way hey blow the man down
They all ship for sailors on board the Black Ball.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
When the Black Baller hauls out of the dock,
Way hey blow the man down
To see these poor fellows, how on board they flock.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
When the Black Baller gets clear of the land,
Way hey blow the man down
'Tis then you will hear the great word of command.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
'Lay aft here, ye lubbers, lay aft, one and all,
Way hey blow the man down
I'll none of your dodges on board the Black Ball'.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
To see these poor devils, how they will all 'scoat,'
Way hey blow the man down
Assisted along by the toe of a boot.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
It's now we are sailing on th' ocean so wide,
Way hey blow the man down
Where the deep and blue waters dash by our black side.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
It's now when we enter the channel so wide,
Way hey blow the man down
All hands are ordered to scrub the ship's side.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
And now, my fine boys, we are round the rock,
Way hey blow the man down
And soon, oh! soon, we will be in the dock.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
Then all our hands will bundle ashore,
Way hey blow the man down
Perhaps some will never to sea go more
Give me some time to blow the man down!