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Blow the Man Down is one of the traditional sea shanties included on the official Windrose Original Soundtrack. One of the most famous halyard shanties in the real-world repertoire. It appears on the Windrose soundtrack as a traditional arrangement.

On the Soundtrack

The track appears on the Windrose: Original Soundtrack (Steam App 4564200), released alongside the April 14, 2026 Early Access launch. Vocals are performed by Sean Dagher, the same shantyman who recorded the sea shanties for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Arrangements are by the Kraken Express audio team.

Origin

"Blow the Man Down" is a traditional halyard shanty dating to the mid-1800s. It was sung on merchant ships when the crew needed to haul on the halyard lines to raise or adjust sails, and its rhythm matches the pulling cadence.

In-Game

Triggered at the ship's helm by pressing B while under sail. NPC crew members on deck join the vocals while you steer between islands. Shanties pause when combat begins (naval cannons take priority) and resume once the engagement ends.

Notes

• Recognized as one of the standard "classic" sea shanties alongside Drunken Sailor and Leave Her Johnny.

• The Windrose arrangement emphasizes the call-and-response structure typical of halyard shanties, with the lead vocal trading lines with the crew chorus.

• Frequently cited in sailing fiction and media as a quintessential shanty.

See Also

• Sea Shanties — broader shanty system

• Sean Dagher — vocalist

• Naval Combat — why shanties pause

• NPC Crew — the crew that sings