Charles R. Tuttle, Our North Land (Toronto, 1885):

"On the arrival of the vessel, the whale is made fast to her side, tail forward, so that the large open mouth will not fill with water in case of the advance of the ship, and the work of sculping is begun. This is done under the superintendence of an official called 'the Inspectioneer.' Eight or ten men are lowered upon the body of the whale, with nails or brads in the soles of their boots, like creepers, in order that they may not slip off his round form; and with long knives, well sharpened for the purpose, commence the work of removing the blubber, or fat, which is generally eighteen inches thick over the whole carcase. The men usually indulge their vocal powers, during this work, in some such enlivening pieces as:--

        'O, waken her, O, shake her,
        O, shake that girl with a blue dress on ;
        My Johnny come down in a high low.'

Or the following, which is a particular favourite with whalers:--

        'Weigh, ha, blow the man down,
        Blow the man down to New York town.
        Give me some time to blow the man down.'

        "The blubber is hoisted to the deck by means of block and tackle and stored away in the bunkers."