In honor of pirates everywhere, here's my fav version of a classic little "Black Baller" shanty:
Oh, blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down!
To me way-aye, blow the man down.
Oh, Blow the man down, bullies, blow him right down!
Give me some time to blow the man down!
As I was a-walking down Paradise Street,
To me way-aye, blow the man down.
A pretty young damsel I chanced for to meet.
Give me some time to blow the man down!
She was round in the counter and bluff in the bow,
So I took in all sail and cried "Way enough now."
I hailed her in English, she answered me clear,
"I'm from the Black Arrow bound to the Shakespeare."
So I tailed her my flipper and took her in tow,
And yardarm to yardarm away we did go.
But as we were going she said unto me,
"There's a spanking full-rigger just ready for sea."
That spanking full-rigger to New York was bound;
She was very well manned and very well found.
But soon as that packet was clear of the bar,
The mate knocked me down with the end of a spar,
And as soon as that packet was out on the sea,
`Twas devilish hard treatment of every degree.
So I give you fair warning before we belay;
Don't never take heed of what pretty girls say.
