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The Annotated Edition

THE BIG BLACK TRAWLER by Alfred Noyes

Summary, meaning, line-by-line analysis & FAQ.

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A sailor shares the tale of a rugged old fisherman on a large black trawler who makes it through a polar shipwreck by relying on sheer determination and a clever trick: soaking his boots in salt water to prevent them from freezing.

Poet
Alfred Noyes
Era
Modernist (1922)
Themes
courage, death, identity
The PoemFull text

THE BIG BLACK TRAWLER

Alfred Noyes, 1922

The very best ship that ever I knew, --_Ah-way O, to me O_-- Was a big black trawler with a deep-sea crew-- _Sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run._ There was one old devil with a broken nose --_Ah-way O, to me O_-- He was four score years, as I suppose-- _But, sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run._ We was wrecked last March, in a Polar storm --_Ah-way O, to me O_-- And we asked the old cripple if his feet was warm-- _Sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run._ And the old, old devil (he was ninety at the most) --_Ah-way O, to me O_-- Roars, "Ay, warm as a lickle piece of toast"-- _So sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run._ "For I soaked my sea-boots and my dungarees --_Ah-way O, to me O_-- In the good salt water that the Lord don't freeze"-- _Oh, sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run._

Public domain

Sourced from Project Gutenberg

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

A sailor shares the tale of a rugged old fisherman on a large black trawler who makes it through a polar shipwreck by relying on sheer determination and a clever trick: soaking his boots in salt water to prevent them from freezing. This poem is a sea shanty, designed to be sung aloud, featuring a catchy chorus that maintains the lively spirit. It honors the resilience of seasoned sailors and the dark humor they employ to find laughter even in dire situations.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. The very best ship that ever I knew, / --Ah-way O, to me O--

    Editor's note

    The narrator starts by proudly introducing his favorite vessel, a large black trawler manned by tough deep-sea fishermen. The shanty chorus — *Ah-way O, to me O* — kicks in right away, establishing the call-and-response rhythm that would have helped the crew work together. The 'big black' trawler hints at something strong and a bit foreboding from the very beginning.

  2. There was one old devil with a broken nose / --Ah-way O, to me O--

    Editor's note

    We meet the poem's hero: an ancient, weathered sailor affectionately referred to as 'one old devil.' His broken nose says it all—this man has endured a tough life and is still on his feet. The narrator estimates he's around eighty, which is quite impressive for a fisherman still at work in this time.

  3. We was wrecked last March, in a Polar storm / --Ah-way O, to me O--

    Editor's note

    The stakes hit hard and without fanfare: the ship sinks in a polar storm. Noyes captures this disaster in just one line, showcasing a certain toughness — no lamenting, no buildup. The crew's reaction is to check on the old cripple, half-jokingly asking if his feet are warm amid the freezing wreckage.

  4. And the old, old devil (he was ninety at the most) / --Ah-way O, to me O--

    Editor's note

    The narrator bumps the old man's age up to ninety, a playful exaggeration that emphasizes just how ancient and indestructible he appears. When he claims his feet are 'warm as a lickle piece of toast,' he roars it out instead of whispering, demonstrating that his spirit remains entirely unbroken by the disaster.

  5. "For I soaked my sea-boots and my dungarees / --Ah-way O, to me O--

    Editor's note

    The punchline and the poem's heart: the old man's secret is straightforward wisdom. Salt water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water, so soaking his gear in it prevented ice from forming. This classic sailor's trick is both amusing and truly impressive — it's about surviving through knowledge, not chance.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone is lively and welcoming, with a touch of dark humor woven in. It's like a pub story shared by someone who experienced it firsthand — proud, a bit rowdy, and genuinely affectionate toward the old man at the heart of the tale. The shanty rhythm keeps the mood upbeat, even when the topic (shipwreck, freezing temperatures, a ninety-year-old with disabilities) could easily veer into tragic territory.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

The big black trawler
The ship symbolizes life at sea—dangerous, unglamorous, yet cherished by those familiar with it. Its dark color suggests danger, but the narrator refers to it as 'the very best ship,' embodying loyalty and pride in hard work.
The old devil
The ancient sailor represents human endurance. Referring to him as a 'devil' is a term of endearment among sailors, and his incredible age and unwavering spirit give him a nearly mythical quality — suggesting that experience and resilience can endure through just about anything.
Salt water
Salt water here is a practical salvation, but it also represents something deeper: the sea, while dangerous, is also a source of life if you learn to navigate it instead of fighting against it. It rewards those who truly grasp its nature.
The bullgine chorus
'Bullgine' is shanty slang for the engine or driving force of a ship. As a repeated refrain, it represents the crew's collective effort and momentum—singing together to push through, both literally and figuratively, even after the ship has sunk.

§06Historical context

Historical context

Alfred Noyes crafted this poem in the style of a sea shanty, which sailors used to coordinate their hard work — hauling ropes, raising anchors, and managing pumps. By the time Noyes was writing in the early twentieth century, the era of sailing ships was fading away as steam power took over. This shift gave shanties a nostalgic, almost mournful feel, even if the lyrics sounded upbeat. Noyes, a British poet famous for narrative works like *The Highwayman*, often focused on tales of everyday people showing remarkable bravery. The poem’s polar setting reflects the era's excitement for Arctic and Antarctic exploration, with notable expeditions by Scott, Shackleton, and others capturing public attention in the early 1900s. The use of dialect and slang ('lickle,' 'bullgine,' 'dungarees') authentically represents the working-class maritime culture that Noyes honors.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

'Bullgine' is a term from old sailor slang, probably a twist on 'bull engine,' which refers to the engine or driving force behind a ship. In the tradition of sea shanties, the chorus line was repeated to help the crew maintain rhythm while working hard. In this context, it acts as a rallying cry — *let the bullgine run* encourages everyone to keep going, keep pushing, and not to stop.

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