Blow The Man Down - References in The Lyrics

References in The Lyrics

Paradise Street is a street in Liverpool, England that was frequented by sailors whose ships had docked at the port. A traditional explanation of its origins is that the Black Ballers were fast packet ships of the American Black Ball Line that sailed between New York and Liverpool towards the end of the 19th century.

Sailors reached America about four weeks after leaving Liverpool and returned about three weeks later. The speedy journey meant that sailors were paid earlier than those on other lines making the Black Ball ships very popular.

Sailors were regularly beaten on these ships and being "blown down" was a man on the deck floor as a result.

It is unlikely that Blow the Man Down was peculiar to the port of Liverpool or the transatlantic trade. For example versions from Tyneside sing of Chichester Street (in South Shields) or Collingwood Street (in Newcastle upon Tyne), both of which are thoroughfares that would be familiar to sailors from England's North-East coast. "Blown down" seems an unlikely reference in the context to being knocked to the deck for a perceived misdemeanour. Since the working members of the crew are using the phrase, it is more likely to refer to some heavy operation, such as raising a yard. This also fits in with the alternative wording "give me the strength", rather than "give me the time" to blow the (not "a") man down.