Blow The Man Down

Song Information

Composer: Traditional

Lyric Author: Traditional

Published: 19th Century

Country of origin: American/Scottish

General Interest

Unconfirmed sources claim this song was first written down by a passenger on a steamship from New York to Glasgow in the 1860's. The Scottish influence can be seen in the "Wae hae" of the response.

Some versions refer to "blow the man down" as a sudden gust of wind literally blowing the man-o-war down, partially capsizing the vessel. Such an event commonly resulted in its sinking.

There are a wide variety of verses that can be sung to this chantey - in common with many such chanteys, the most popular seem to tell of the sailors' adventures ashore!

Here's a link to the Lyric:

Blow The Man Down Lyric

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