This topsail halyard shanty, Blow Boys Blow, originated on the West African run, during the days of the slave trade. Later, with the Congo River stanzas dropped, it passed into use aboard Atlantic packets. The skipper’s name is given variously as Bully Hayes, Bully Sims, and One-Eyed Kelly. The stanza about the packet-ship firing its gun may date from the Civil War, or may refer to an anti-slavery patrol. (source)

Lyrics

1. A yankee ship came down the river,
Blow, blow, blow,
Her masts and spars they shone like silver,
Blow, my bully boys, blow.

2. Who do you think is the captain of her?
Blow boys blow.
Why, Billy Hayes is the captain of her,
Blow, my bully boys, blow.

3. And what do you think they’ve got for dinner…
Pickled eel’s feet and bullock’s liver…

4. And how do you know she’s a Yankee liner?…
The Stars and Stripes float out behind her…

Links

The following content is available below to Plus Members:

  • PDF includes:
    • Song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • MP3