Origins: Blow the Man Down

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: r.padgett
Date: 06 Jun 23 - 08:24 AM

Doeflinger refers "Blow the man down" had an earlier "knock" the man down ~ from negro origins in place of "blow"

Ray

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: r.padgett
Date: 06 Jun 23 - 11:36 AM

"Colcord’s reading of the term blow would actually tie this particular refrain to a song that has been aligned with African American origin and circulated on sailing ships: “Knock a Man Down.” In deconstructing the line through this gloss of the term blow, the collective strength of the sailors would be singing out and pushing/pulling while simulating the force of collectively knocking someone down; namely, this nameless “man.” The collective violence of this reading is interesting; for, it further underscores and supports the popular contemporary construction of the sailor as rough, ready, and prone to altercations." ~ Global Maritime history

Ray

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 06 Jun 23 - 05:18 PM

In response to Richard Bridge's enquiry:
I have a version focussing on the encounter with a doxey. I'm not sure how it came about, but I think from half remembering a version and then putting in verses from some other song, maybe The Fireship. I don't feel like typing it out now but I may get round to it in a day or two if no-one else offers a similar one in the meantime.

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 06 Jun 23 - 06:56 PM

In deconstructing the line through this gloss of the term blow, the collective strength of the sailors would be singing out and pushing/pulling while simulating the force of collectively knocking someone down; namely, this nameless “man.” The collective violence of this reading is interesting; for, it further underscores and supports the popular contemporary construction of the sailor as rough, ready, and prone to altercations.

Context: Global Maritime History are pleased to announce the conference programme for the Maritime Toxic Masculinity Digital Conference.

More of the same in: Piratical Debauchery, Homesick Sailors, and Nautical Rhythms: The Influence of Sea Shanties on Classical Music, Riedler, P., & Bhogal, G. K. (2017)(Wellesly)

The above are not global maritime history or hard naval science. It's how Euro-American poets, authors & academics have imagined their imaginary sailors down through the years. Reidler, Floyd et al are micro-analyzing their own pop culture fictions, fetishes & fantasies.

I've yet to meet the arts graduate holding forth on work song what can also use the word celeusma in a sentence. Though, exactly one (1) odd soul could define proceleusmatic but had never really considered whence it came.

PS: Africa was... and remains... a continent.

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 19 Jun 23 - 05:58 AM

Here's my version FWIW.

As I was a-walking down Paradise Street
Tibby* way, hay, blow the man down
A flash-looking packet I chanced for to meet.
Gimme some time to blow the man down

(2nd and 4th refrain lines omitted below.)

She hove alongside me and hailed me so free.
"Me hold is empty, I'm ready for sea".

(Chorus after every second verse)
Blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down
Tibby way, hay, blow the man down
Blow him right back into Liverpool Town
Gimme some time to blow the man down.

What country she come from I can't tell you which
But by her appearance I'd say she was Dutch.

Her flag wore its colours. Her masthead was low.
She was round in the quarters and bluff in the bow†.

Well I hailed her in English and hailed her in Dutch.
But she says "Me young feller, you're talking too much."

So I hailed her in French and the signal she knew.
She backed her main tops'l and for me hove to.

Well I gave her me hawser and took her in tow.
And yardarm to yardarm together we go.

She lowered her mains'l, maintops'l and all
(Let) her lily-white hand on me reef tackle fall

Well I lifted her hatches, found plenty of room
So into her cabin I stowed my jib-boom.

I entered her holds, both for'd and aft†
And into her harbour I sailed my trim craft.

But at length Jack says "Well it's time to give o'er"
"For betwixt wind and water you've run me ashore."

"Me shot locker's empty, me powder's all spent."
"I can't fire a shot for it's choked at the vent."

Here's health to the girl with the long curly locks.
Here's health to the girl as brought Jack on the rocks.

Here's health to the doctor who cured all his pain.
Now he's squared his main yard and he's cruising again.

* I once heard Stan Hugill state forcefully that it is "tibby", not "to me".
† These lines can be accompanied by gestures.

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: r.padgett
Date: 19 Jun 23 - 08:04 AM

The above is what Sam Larner sings and is known as Cruising round Yarmouth ~ full of double entendre of course

Ray

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: Lighter
Date: 19 Jun 23 - 08:40 AM

"In deconstructing the line through this gloss of the term blow, the collective strength of the sailors would be singing out and pushing/pulling while simulating the force of collectively knocking someone down; namely, this nameless “man.” The collective violence of this reading is interesting; for, it further underscores and supports the popular contemporary construction of the sailor as rough, ready, and prone to altercations."

Translation: "The idea of the sailor as a tough guy comes partly from the truculence of this familiar song's refrain."

Of course, deep-water sailors had to be pretty tough, so....

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 19 Jun 23 - 01:55 PM

Max toxic: The large galley boatswain job title often translates as torturer and/or screamer.

Otoh, Whall's crew watched their language around the guests.

Vessels may also experience gender transition when the English buy Spanish or the other way round. No biggie.

Subject: RE: Origins: Blow the Man Down
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 05:10 AM

“...Water was gaining on the pumps. Before 10 am. our furnace fires were extinguished. We had now to rely on manpower with the main pumps and bailing. We knew when the steam pumps failed, the others would not keep the water down because it was coming through the Hawse pipes faster than they could free her. But to avail ourselves of every chance, to prolong the inevitable moment that was surely approaching, over 400 strong arms in relays worked the brakes to the time of a chanty song of “Knock-a-man down.””
[Samoan Hurricane, Kimberly, c.1892]
USS Trenton (1876)
Rear Admiral Lewis Ashfield Kimberly (1830-1902)


I wish I was in Mobile Bay….
Damn the torpedoes! Lieutenant Commander Kimberly served as executive officer of Adm. Farragut's flagship, the USS Hartford, at the Battle of Mobile Bay.