Blow Boys Blow

Written by: [Traditional]
Publication date: 1874
Language: English
Comments: Roud 703. A topsail halyard shanty, originated on the West African run, during the days of the slave trade. Later, with the Congo River stanzas dropped, it passed into use aboard Atlantic packets. The skipper's name is given variously as Bully Hayes, Bully Sims, and One-Eyed Kelly. The stanza about the packet-ship firing its gun may date from the Civil War, or may refer to an anti-slavery patrol.
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Versions

Title	Performer	Release date
Blow Boys Blow	The Ian Campbell Folk Group	1963
Congo River	The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem	1968
Blow Boys Blow	Craig Morton	1973
Blow, Boys, Blow	Mike Seeger and Ewan MacColl	1977
Blow Boys Blow	The Spinners with Members of The Ocean Youth Club	1978
Congo River	97th Regimental String Band	1987