Introduction to the Lyrics of What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor
What Do You Do with a Drunken Sailor is a traditional sea shanty that originates from the 19th century. The song details the many difficulties encountered by sailors when dealing with someone who has had too much to drink, and offers advice on how to manage the situation. The lyrics are comprised of two alternating verses, each telling a different story about how to handle an inebriated sailor; one suggesting prudence while the other suggests some more unorthodox measures of putting them back to sleep. The melodies and rhythms make up much of the charm of this jaunty seafaring ditty, as they transport listeners back to a time when life was simpler and full of adventure on the high seas.
The first verse begins swashbucklingly enough: “What do you do with a drunken sailor? What do you do with a drunken sailor? Early in the morning!” This phrase setâs up the listener for an exciting journey into navigating nautical life and its correspondents hassles. It reinforces that this is indeed an old maritime tale with all its trappings: shanties were usually sung aboard ships or dockside taverns, and so it comes across as something that would be deemed familiar and even rather raucous fun in its day.
The next line gives us one proposed solution for what to do about this tipsy mariner: âPut him in the longboat ’till he’s sober! Put him in a longboat ’till he’s sober! Early in the morning!â Variations of this phrase can also be heard such as âlock him up tilâ heâs soberâ or âput him âneath no man alive until he gets sober again.” So at least one is offered a responsible course of action for keeping order on board ship.
The second verse provides another great insight into 19th century navy culture with instructions on how to put your mate back at rest once you’ve seen fit: âThrow him o’erboard his head ‘f there’ll go! Throw him overboard his head ‘f there’ll go! Early in the morning!” This brings out both humor yet traces of hardened pragmatism needed to hold together hasty decisions during rough trips home or abroad out at sea amongst sometimes troubling men. Later variations alter these words slightly but keep their initial flavor intact; e.g., “Heave away hauling she’ll go”, which could be taken surprisingly literally given that pulling boatloads was considered honorable work during certain periods among sailors from diverse cultures around world throughout history (whether voluntarily or not).
The magnetic rhythm remains consistently throughout no matter which version you listen too, but it never fails hold interest thanks its upbeat tempo clapping along until finishing off with same cheery entrance after several minutes entertainment âEarly in Morning!” Whether you singing it without beverage or actually setting sail for adventure, this classic will bring good times those near far alike who find themselves joined together by reflections upon loving nights spent onboard decks outside starry skies enjoying summer wind sweetness coming off distant wavesâwhat better way toast spirit times past partaking imagery epic sentiments shared through generations glorifying all things Nautical?!
Language and Etymology Behind the Song
Music has been around since the dawn of time, and many modern songs have an incredible language and etymology behind them. Song lyrics often reflect regional dialects, local slang, cultural movements, historical events, and even moments in time that are now long gone. It is fascinating to explore the language used within a song and what it means from both a linguistic perspective as well as a personal one.
The English language is constantly evolving along with the words we use to describe certain concepts or feelings. The language used in old blues songs for example is vastly different than contemporary pop music today. For instance when talking about love in blues classics like Robert Johnson’s “Sweet Home Chicago” he’d refer to his lover as either his love or his sweetheart rather than the ubiquitous terms such as baby or babe which are commonly used today by artists like Justin Bieber or Ariana Grande.
In addition to language changes throughout time, some musicians also incorporate various linguistic elements into their lyrics to emphasize situations being evoked through music. As previously mentioned with Robert Johnson’s use of “Sweet Home Chicago”, it creates a unique statement implying familiarity and home-like comfort that reflects on experiences he had living in the Windy City of Chicago at one point in his life. The band Metallica not only took great pride in their musical ability but also focused heavily on utilizing poetic devices within their songs like alliteration (“Sad But True”) metaphor (“Fade To Black”) and personification (“The Memory Remainsâ).
Furthermore exploring etymology while listening to songs can provide immense insight into understanding why the artist selected specific words which can be quite powerful when considering groups such as Tribe Called Quest who capitalize upon wordplay within their music. An example of this phenomenon can be found when looking at “Can I Kick It?”, where they cleverly swap out meaningful words for new synonyms that convey added social impact: In place of using battle they opted for kick it; instead of ethnic they reference oriental; puffing herb becomes smoking cigar etc.
Music has imprinted itself into our culture so deeply that there are few mediums capable of packing information into just three minutes effectively like a song does related languages and etymology from anyoneâs great-great grandfather humming timeless folk tunes off some distant mountainside or your contemporary favorite discussing political reform via auto-tune -allowing us to glimpse world around us in a manner both detailed yet concise simultaneously .
Historical Context of the Sea Shanty
A sea shanty is a type of work song that was popularized during the period of large-scale sailing and exploration in the 1700s and 1800s. Sea shanties were used by sailors to coordinate their efforts while engaging in activities like raising sails, pulling ropes, and pushing heavy items. The songs provided rhythm and camaraderie as members of the crew performed arduous tasks together.
These kinds of musical worksongs were likely common among seafaring populations well before the âAge of Sailâ (1700s-1800s); however, they were first officially recorded by printed lyrics during this period. Musical experts believe that sea shanties have several cultural influences, especially from African American music traditions.
The origins of certain specific lyrics can be traced to various naval engagements or traditions like “Whiskey Johnny”, said to have been derived from an incidence of whiskey contraband at sea. Many other songs don’t appear to be related to any specific event or tradition; rather their origin may come from regional dialects or words influenced by contacts with distant ports or cultures around the world. Even if some stories are apocryphal, many sailors invoked narrative elements in these songs emphasizing adventure, suffering hardships at sea, love lost at home port, profits earned at foreign markets – all timeless themes since upgraded vessels began bearing us away from known shores!
The rapid spread across multiple classes also speaks to a more general desire among sailors for comfort and solace during risky periods at sea upon which life itself depended – where any distraction could give morale a boost and preserve sanity in trying times – be it superstitions told round the campfire on shore leave: ‘it’s bad luck not ya know….’, salutations with kinship near ‘home’ taverns when dropping anchor into friendly harbors: ‘trusty mates unified I’m glad ta see ye..’, or just sharing good tidings after being tested through safely tackling natural forces such as storms raging unchecked: ‘done made it safe again outta harm’s way now’.
Sea shanties went beyond morale-boosting rhymes used for work; they served as a recitation vehicles for recounting historical tales that generations would otherwise forget over time but remembered forever due to having been preserved thanks to still living breaths capable of perpetuating age shipwrecked stories having meandered honest hearts back into its graces …calling us citizens forward bound under sails ever present throughout time ….sea shanties!
Symbolic Meaning of The Song
The symbolic meaning of any song is the underlying message it conveys to its listener. Music has a unique power to convey emotion, and songs often use symbols to represent deeper themes or ideas. While one person may interpret a song in one way, another could relate to it completely differently. Like poetry or literature, music offers multiple layers of interpretation, so the symbolic meanings of a song can vary greatly from person to person.
When listening to a new track, try paying attention not only to its melodic structure but also to its lyrical content. Lyrics are usually chock-full of symbolism and metaphors that those with an ear for poetry can pick up on right away. Symbols in musical lyrics are often used as tools of expression; they communicate feelings and messages that would be difficult or awkward to explain through prose alone. By understanding the symbolic meaning of music lyrics you can deepen your appreciation for the tune itself and learn something new about yourself in the process.
It’s important not only to recognize these symbols in lyrics but also their implicationsâthe underlying message behind them! Even though some symbols may appear more obvious than others, their true meanings should still be explored and deciphered carefullyâafter all, everyone perceives symbols slightly differently depending on life experiences and interpretations! Pay close attention when listeningâyou might be surprised by what hidden messages are awaiting discovery within your favorite songs!
Common Questions About What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor FAQs
Q: What is a drunken sailor?
A: A “drunken sailor” is a term used to describe someone who has been drinking heavily, or otherwise consuming an excessive amount of alcohol. This phrase has long been associated with sailors in the British Royal Navy, though it is also often used for anyone who has become very intoxicated.
Q: How did this expression originate?
A: The term “drunken sailor” dates back to the British Royal Navy of the 19th century. Back then, groups of sailors would swarm onto ports near Britain and drink copious amounts of alcohol as a way to pass the time away from the decks of the ships they served on. Sailors were known for partaking in heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages between voyages, leading to the famous saying âWhat do you do with a drunken sailor?â
Q: What other colloquial phrases are associated with sailors indulging in drunkenness?
A: The phrase âhoist him aloft till he’s soberâ has also been used to reference someone that is particularly incapacitated by too much drink – and consists primarily of imagery inspired by life at sea (only instead of hoisting sails, it’s about hoisting up a fellow sailor!). In addition, popular slogans such as ‘shanties and grog’ (for rum rations) or ‘pint o’ rum for breakfast’ are indicative not only of habitual drunkenness among sailors but also their willingness to endure physical hardship – all while still under the influence!
Top 5 Facts About What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor
What do you do with a drunken sailor? This nautical phrase has become a popular everyday saying, but what does it actually mean and where did it come from? Here are the top five facts about this curious expression:
1. The earliest known source of the phrase âWhat do you do with a drunken sailorâ can be found in an old English sea song called âA Ripe to Napping.â It dates back to around 1809 and is referenced in other works such as Herman Melvilleâs Moby Dick. The fully verse reads; âEarly in the morning / Just at the break of day / What shall we do with a drunken sailor? / What shall we do with a drunken sailor? / What shall we do with a drunken sailor early in the morning?â
2. The intention of this catchy lyric was to raise spirits among sailors during long voyages, since drinking alcohol was often allowed on ships. In essence, the call and response format serves as reminder that, even when you hit hard times or face hardships, laughter and singing can take you through them together as a community!
3. Although enjoying liquor on board was often encouraged, punishments for misbehaving sailors would include keelhauling â throwing them overboard and dragging them 360° underneath the shipâs hull! Other punishments varied between countries but often involved mallet striking, confinement or being made to walk off planks into freezing-cold waters (where they were passed out!. Hence, this popular phrase may have referred to any one of these daunting tasks while others say it simply means put him in prison and make him pay his fare due..
4. Folklorist Kenneth S Goldstein recorded 28 versions of “What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor?” over 150 years ago; including stanzas about marriage proposals for widows (!), taking drunkards back home without fail ( sounds like some modern rideshare service⊠), looking for marriage partners overseas and so much more! He argued how these verses can reveal âthe working knowledge an able bodied seaman had need of knew . .in order to go down to sea upon their lawful occasions.’ evident is not only nautical terms but also superstitions which played such an important part of life aboard ships before advances navigation techniques..
5. Today this folk song has permeated our cultural norms beyond seaports thanks to pop culture references like musical plays or movies such as Pirates Of The Caribbean or HBO’s Game Of Thrones â just look at us hummin’ ‘what does ye’ if drinks get spilt from our hands at parties – no matter how far away from your navigational chart you are now! We love ‘this classic piece’ because it serves as another reminder that bad times don’t last forever: eventually dawn will arrive again!
