Hi folks- I just found one verse of this great song in the Flanders collection sung by Annie Tate Moore in 1941. Have not found anything else like it except as a "hiking " song from the 50's and a version by and Irish band from which I have created a coherent song (which we just recorded) Would love to know if anyone has evidence of it earlier than 1941
Thanks - Julia Lane

BLOW YE WINDS AYE-O

First verse and tune from Annie Tate Moore, Ellsworth Falls ME
Helen Hartness Flanders Collection, Middlebury VT recorded June 22,1941 with additional lyrics from Vermont Folksongs and Ballads by Flanders and Brown, from the singing of Mrs. John Anderson of Windsor VT as sung by her relative from Newfoundland, Miriam Berg's folksong collection (learned from UC Hiking Club in 1958 or 1959) and Patrick Brian Warfield of the Wolfetones

It was on the fourth of January
Down in the southern seas
Our ship lay at anchor near a big coral reef
A-waiting for a breeze
And the captain he was down below
And the sailors were lying all about
When suddenly from under our bow
A jolly little voice piped out

Sing blow ye winds aye -o
Blow ye winds aye -o
Clear way the morning dew
And blow ye winds aye -o

"There's a man overboard," our watch cried out,
And it's forward we all did go.
Our captain he went to the starboard side,
And gazed on the water below
And there we saw hangin' on our anchor chain
Was a jolly old merman.
His hair was blue, and his eyes were green,
And this is what he sang;

"Ahoy there" said our captain bold
"What cheer, messmate", cried he.
You look so queer- How came you here
Living in the deep blue sea
I see you are a sailor by the look of your face,
And you speak like an Englishman true
Come and tell me, man, as fast as you can,
Just what can I do for you."

Some years ago where the big ships go,
I was lost overboard in a gale.
And down below where the seaweeds grow,
I met a pretty maiden with a tail.
She saved my life and I made her my wife,
And we now have children three
So forever and a day, it's happy I will stay,
In the bottom of the deep blue sea.

But you've dropped your anchor in front of my house,
And you've blocked up my only door.
And my wife she can't get out, for to shop and rove about
And the children me implore
It would break your heart to hear them cry,
And the row they'll have with me!
For I was out last night to a small fish-fight,
And I didn't get home till three.

The Captain smiled and called to the mate
"All hands on deck" cried he
"Our anchor shall be weighed at once
And your wife and your children set free."
With a grateful grin he waved a fin
And he turned himself about so merrily
And the big blue tail that he sat upon,
Went a-wiggling down the sea.
(And he sang-)