So for the past ten years I’ve been obsessed with the idea of sea shanties… but in space. I’ve submitted them to speculative poetry magazines, but no one wants them. (I know, right? How could nobody want space shanties). Anyway, I thought I share a few, especially, since I saw on my twitter feed that there is someone (there’s at least one, by god) who has requested them. So, without further ado! Have “Blow the Man Down”, which is supposed to be the opening song of a short space shanty film I have in my head but have neither the means nor talent to make.

Come all ye young soldiers who follow the stars
To me, way hey, blow the man down
We’re taking the fight boys, we take it to Mars
Give me some time to blow the man down

I am a recruiter, a good man and kind
To me, way hey, blow the man down
I pocket a credit for ev’ry man signed
Give me some time to blow the man down

I’ll tell ye a story, of all you will save
To me, way hey, blow the man down
They’ll call you a hero, they’ll tell you you’re brave
Give me some time to blow the man down

Come board the Messiah, a ship of the line,
To me, way hey, blow the man down
The wonders you’ll see, girl, will harden spine
Give me some time to blow the man down

From blackness to coldness, you’ll step in the void
To me, way hey, blow the man down
Dotted with nothing but ships long destroyed
Give me some time to blow the man down

The planet is crimson, as red as your blood
To me, way hey, blow the man down
It’s wet with your sweat, boy, you’ll drown in the mud
Give me some time to blow the man down

She was a marine, boys, a gun in her prime
To me, way hey, blow the man down
Who drank to forget what she saw in her time.
Give me some time to blow the man down

Follow your orders, now, you one and all
To me, way hey, blow the man down
Under a headstone, they’ll send you to crawl
Give me some time to blow the man down