Introduction to What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor Lyrics
What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor lyrics is an old, traditional sea shanty that originated in England in the 19th century. The song is thought to have been born out of the hard working conditions faced by sailors who worked on sailing ships at this time. It speaks to their sense of humor and determination in dealing with difficult circumstances and can be seen as a celebration of resilience and stoicism.
The title itself is often taken as an expression of defiance; even though it can be difficult, sailors will get through whatever comes. It’s also likely that What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor was used to keep time and provide entertainment for long days spent hard at work, setting sail or rowing boats. The song has gone through many variations over its centuries-long history – each one conveying the same message with different energy and emphasis depending on the singer, band, or crew singing it.
What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor consists of three verses sung repeatedly grouped around the words “what would you do?”. Verses 1, 2 & 3 detail three different scenarios: waking up drunk sailor (verse 1), scaring away nice girls (verse 2), and putting him back on his ship (verse 3). The third verse exemplifies what sailors believe to be moral behavior – no matter how tough times are, sticking together and helping each other out is always necessary!
The most famous tune associated with What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor was first published by Stan Hugill in his “Shanties from the Seven Seas” book in 1961; since then it has become widely performed across various global folk scenes – illustrating that even after centuries this beloved song continues to inspire generations of musicians everywhere!
Examining the Origins of What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor
What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor? is an old sea shanty, or sailor song, that has had numerous interpretations and uses throughout the years. The origins of the song are obscure; different authors have credited it to various seafaring men, though none of these claims have been thoroughly verified. It is thought to date back at least to the early 19th century, when it was popular among mariners crossing the Atlantic Ocean in sailing ships.
The lyrics consist of a call-and-response pattern: each verse begins with a question that encourages its audience to offer up their own ideas for dealing with an intoxicated sailor (e.g., “What shall we do with a drunken sailor?”). The song then suggests humorous solutions including those involving physical labor, bizarre punishment rituals, and ribald activities (e.g., “Put him in the long boat ’till he’s sober!”). These solutions are then reinforced by customary choruses sung by all involved—a technique used by groups of seamen during work on board ship in order to stay rhythmically together while performing difficult tasks.
While far removed from traditional protest songs or drinking carols in terms of content, What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor quickly assumed a prominent place as one of the most popular pieces of sea music sung during sailors’ leisure hours (usually accompanied by both music and dance). This popularity likely derived from its comic quality and rowdy chorus rather than any political intent; indeed, many versions would be revised extensively over time as new singers adapted them to their own tastes. Furthermore, versions from later centuries frequently combined elements from earlier lyrics to create what were essentially hybridizations intended for non-sailors—something which can still be seen today as recorded renditions combine strains of older melodies into lengthy medleys.
Despite its relatively innocent nature overall, however, What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor contains several darker elements ranging from implicit references to drowning as punishment for obnoxious behavior (i.e., “Let him swim”) to less subtle exhortations concerning press gangs and other nefarious legal practices towards which many seafarers justifiably held well-founded resentments (i.e., “Send him down below”). As such reactions appear throughout along with more positive interjections related to hardworking rewarded crewman (“give him brown jubilee”), this juxtaposition hints at an undercurrent of complex themes that must have found resonance among experienced sailors reflecting upon their lives at sea while singing this lively shanty.
Analyzing the Story and Symbols Behind What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor
What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor is an old folk song that has been around for centuries. The story behind the song is about a sailor getting drunk and staying out late, before finally returning home to his family. Many interpretations of this song have been made over the years, with some claiming that it is about letting go of one’s inhibitions and going on a wild night out, while others saying it’s about accepting responsibility and coming home no matter what.
The symbols behind this popular shanty can be seen as representations of freedom, discipline, commitment, and resilience. By looking at the lyrics closely you can see that the sailor goes off into town without any fear or hesitation (freedom) but then quickly realizes that he cannot handle himself and has gone too far (discipline). After realizing this he still manages to stay true to his word by eventually returning back home safely despite being intoxicated (commitment). Lastly even after being warned not to get drunk again he still takes comfort knowing there are people that care enough to worry about him (resilience).
Overall What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor stands as timeless piece of folklore which can be seen as representing themes such freedom, discipline, commitment and resilience. All these were present in its original sailing days hundreds of years ago but can also still apply today in our everyday lives.
Understanding the Traditional Versions of What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor
The traditional versions of “What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor?” is an old English sea shanty that has been passed down through the centuries. This song dates back at least to the mid-19th century and was sung by sailors while they were hard at work sailing their ships across the high seas. It speaks to the various things a sailor might do with a drunken, disorderly mate in order to maintain order and discipline on board. The song is usually done in four lines, with each line ending on a rhyme.
The traditional version typically suggests that when you have a drunken sailor aboard, you should “hoist him aloft to make him behave” or throw him up in the air like a makeshift trapeze artist as punishment for his misbehavior. This apparently worked amazingly well; some sailors could go from barely staying conscious to perfectly composed shipmates after this treatment! It’s also said that this served as practice for beginner tightrope walkers, putting their newfound skills into actual application provided relief from sea sickness during bad storms and provided camaraderie among different ranks of crew members without being oppressive.
In any case, chastising your disoriented crew mate in such a physical way is certainly not something we would endorse today and these days many people are unlikely to know how it used to be dealt with (especially considering drunkeness wasn’t nearly as much of an issue then as it can now be). In light of our evolving understanding of mental health & positive reinforcement, there are many more civil ways to handle similar situations now – though it can still sometimes mean treading lightly between asserting authority and showing respect for those under your command.
So if you ever find yourself stuck out in the middle of the ocean looking after any number of seafaring comrades it wouldn’t hurt to arm yourself with an updated understanding of how exactly one might deal with that age-old question: What Would You Do With A Drunken Sailor?
Exploring Variations and Unique Interpretations of What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor
What would you do with a drunken sailor? It’s an old traditional sea shanty, but you don’t have to stick to the way it’s been sung for centuries. Exploring variations and unique interpretations of this song is a wonderful way to express your creativity and put a new spin on something that has endured for years.
To start, consider the original lyrics and melody. Many people know this old sea chantey from their childhoods; it speaks of returning sailors carousing in town after a lengthy voyage at sea. While this version reflects the reality of life for many of those who sailed in bygone eras, modern-day interpretations can be used to tell updated stories about the sailor’s adventures as well as provide commentary on current events or other topics.
Next, think about musical instrumentation and arranging techniques. If going for authenticity, opt for instruments associated with sea music such as accordions, fiddles, harmonicas, guitars (acoustic and electric), drums, banjos etc., combined with booming choruses singing in unison or call-and-response style lyrics. To really bring the song alive it may be worth adding your own arrangement ideas or sample classic related tracks – anything that can give your take on the song distinction while retaining its core spirit.
If creating a more contemporary sound move away from traditional sea shanty accompaniment towards upbeat danceable reggae rhythms or darker minor keys utilizing modern synthesizers and samples – there are lots of possibilities! If exploring one particular genre further try adding elements such as fusion guitar solos over Caribbean style percussion sections or acoustic folk-style guitar fingerpicking backed by strings – all excellent options for giving ‘what would you do with a drunken sailor’ an original sound and meaning!
Finally extend its scope to wider questions such as how could this timeless piece be applied to different themes beyond simply describing seafarers during their trips home? How can we take inspiration from its catchy melodies while also exploring fresh stories separate from its maritime context? Whatever musical style you choose within which to crafts your take of What Would You Do With A Drunken Sailor use it wisely; let yourself embark upon uncharted waters sprinkled with lyrical bursts of pirate raucousness…Arrrrh!
Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts on Exploring the Meaning Behind What Would You Do With a Drunken Sailor Lyrics
The traditional sea shanty “What Would You Do with a Drunken Sailor?” has been around for centuries, and its meaning is far from straightforward. On the surface, it may appear to simply be a song about sailors getting drunk on land; however, if you dig deeper, it could also represent the idea of being freed from oppression or taking chances in life. The lyrics can also be interpreted as reflecting the themes of resilience and camaraderie that are essential to a successful seafaring mission.
At its heart, this timeless sea shanty echoes generations of seafarers who have risked their lives while trying to make a living through the unforgiving seas. Whether they had suffered brutality at the hands of other captains or lived under forced servitude under oppressive governments, many sailors kept their heads up in order to survive and provide for their families back home. In this sense, popular interpretations emphasize practical solutions for overcoming any kind of opposition – whether coming from powerful authorities or strong waves.
In addition to these more serious implications, this classic shanty can also be viewed as an opportunity to enjoy life regardless of what challenges we might face – something that resonates with modern times and ties into the concept of “settle” rather than “upright”: Even when things don’t go according to plan and set backs arise, still take moments for yourself and find joy wherever possible. From sailing crew members playing games on board ships during down time – often using dice said to have been rolled by actual drunken sailors – to singing songs such as “What Would You Do with a Drunken Sailor?” get-togethers can remind us all that experiences are important too.
Ultimately, although there is no single clear cut interpretation behind ‘What Would You Do with a Drunken Sailor?’ – every listener will likely bring different connotations and levels of meaning depending on one’s background and personal experiences. Whether we view it as an anthem towards freedom from oppression or accept it just as sheer entertainment value – there is no denying that it has borne witness over centuries-old tales which continue inspiring people until today!
