Black Baller
Hymnal Index | Ship's Company Website

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Come all ye young fellows that follow the sea
To me, way hey, blow the man down
Now pray pay attention and listen to me
O, give me some time to blow the man down

I'm a deep water sailor just come from Hong Kong
You give me some whiskey, I'll sing you a song

Twas on a Black Baller I first serve me time
And on that Black Baller I wasted me prime

'Tis when a Black Baller's preparing for sea
You'll split your sides laughing such sights you would see

There's tinkers and tailors and sogers and all
That ship for prime seamen on board a Black Ball

'Tis when a black baller is clear of land
Our bosun he roars out the word of command

"Lay aft," is the cr, "to the break of the poop!"
Or I'll help you along with the toe of me boot

Pay attention to orders, now, you one and all
For see high above there flies the Black Ball

'Tis larboard and starboard, on deck you will sprawl
For "Kicking Jack" Williams commands the Black Ball

When a big Black Baller's comes back to her dock
The boys and the girls on the pier-head do flock