092 - Horraw For The Blackball Line (Liverpool Jacks Tune)


This shanty was sung at the capstan or windlass. The Blackball Line of packet ships started in 1816, an American line running between New York and Liverpool. The ships were small roughly 300 to 400 tons. After 1850 was added ships over a thousand tonnes. Here version with the melody a very popular tune with Liverpool Jacks. For this version, I will utilize the first verse from music notation, and verses from page 132 of the first edition from "Shanties From The Seven Seas".
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 133).


Horraw For The Blackball Line (Liverpool Jacks Tune)


I served me time in the Blackball Line,
   - Timme way, hay, a-way, yah!
In the Blackball Line I served me time,
   - Hurraw for the Blackball Line!

                      *2*
Oh, around Cape Horn with a mainskys'l set,
Around Cape Stiff an' we're all wringing wet.

                      *3*
Oh, around Cape Stiff in the month o' May,
Oh, around Cape Horn is a very long way.

                      *4*
It's when the Blackballer is ready for sea,
The sights in the fo'c'sle is funny to see.

                      *5*
There's tinkers and sogers an' fakirs an' all
All ship for prime sailors aboard the Blackball.

                      *6*
Now the packet ship she is crowdin' on sail,
The wind from the south'ard is blowin' a gale.

                      *7*
An' when we git to ol' New York Town,
We'll meet ol' Patrick an' drink till we drown.