Introduction to the Cultural Significance of the Song What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor?
What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor? is a well-known traditional sea shanty, or work song, believed to have originated in England during the 19th century. The song consists of repeating choruses and verses with variable lyrics which traditionally tell the story of a sailor being placed in a compromising situation as a result of his excessive drinking. This particular theme was extremely popular amongst sailors during this time period, who frequently spent long periods away from home entertaining themselves with stories and songs.
The origin of What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor remains unknown; however its popularity continued to grow throughout the 20th century due to its use within books, films and radio broadcasts. In 1962 it was officially released as a chart topping single by Peter Sellers (under the pseudonym “Lance Ellington”). Since then it has become an iconic part of maritime culture and continues to be used for recreational purposes today.
As an example of folk music, much of What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor’s cultural significance lies in its symbolism – not only does it represent the classic tale of reckless behaviour on board a ship but also captures the indomitable spirit and way of life found amongst those active in seafaring professions. Its simple melody speaks volumes about resilience whilst contemporary performances still bring together generations through nostalgic reactions to hearing such an enduring classic. It is therefore easy to understand why so many individuals have grown fondly attached to this traditional tune over centuries and savour its sentimental value which endures even into modern times.
How Did This Song Become So Popular?
The age-old questions of why certain songs or certain albums become popular is a puzzle that has intrigued music fans and professionals for years. But even though we may never know the exact formula for success, there are several contributing factors that can help answer the question of how a song became so popular.
To begin, let’s explore why some songs make it and some don’t: Many songwriters look to seize on current trends – either in sound, style or even subject matter – as they craft their material. Listeners often seek out something familiar when they piece together new playlists. This means those in the industry must make sure what they are selling is up-to-date yet still stands out from the competition. By keeping up with musical trends and combining them with something fresh, an artist may just have the hit they’re after.
The internet has been a revolution in making music more accessible and easier to consume than ever before. From streaming platforms through to social networks, it has made it far simpler for people to discover and share new content without large marketing budgets or radio plugging campaigns. It also enables artists to reach listeners directly through their own channels who otherwise weren’t possible under traditional radio broadcast methods, reaching a larger audience over time which helps spur popularity of their content among those previously unaware of it .
Last but certainly not least; exposure plays an important part in how high a song reaches on charts or how long it sticks around as one of many charts contenders. Again this comes down to skillfully executed promotional efforts such as targeting key influencers and tastemakers in the field leading bigger names picking up on the work being shared widely across the web, which could then lead on to gaining airplay on various radio networks helping build awareness further still So at its core becoming popular is about exposure alongside quality tunes that capture people’s imagination – creating demand to keep people engaging with your material! If you put these pieces together and cross your fingers you might just get lucky spinning yourself one hit wonder!
Lyrical Details and Influences Behind What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor?
What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor? is a classic English sea shanty that has been around for centuries. The song, also known as “The Thirteen Old Salts,” dates back to the 18th century when it was common for bands of sailors who worked on trading ships to entertain themselves with music and song.
The shanty tells the comical tale of a group of seafaring fellows trying their best to help one of their comrades who is clearly too inebriated from drinking rum on the ship. Over time, the lyrics have been adapted and changed, but many original versions have survived to this day.
Musically, What do you do with a Drunken Sailor? follows a typical AABB- rhyme scheme, allowing it to be chanted or sung in unison by large groups if need be. Lower sounding instruments such as bassoons are commonly used in accompaniment; this low tone gives an edge and weight to the sound that brings out the rowdy spirit inherent within the piece. These tones are further emphasized by characteristic staccato articulations during verse passages– creating an overall vibrant and lively atmosphere throughout.
The original intent of What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor? was meant solely as entertainment amongst maritime personnel; however, its widespread popularity among various genders, nationalities and ages calls attention to its underlining message – specifically that alcohol can lead people into compromising situations (even at sea!). By educating children on traditional songs such as What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor?, both children and adults can appreciate these stories for their impactful lessons while simultaneously learning more about our cultural heritage from days gone by!
Historical Interpretations of What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor?
One of the most popular traditional sea shanties, ‘What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor’, has been variously interpreted over time, and its origins are debatable. The song is believed to be of British origin, having first appeared in 1824 as a poem in the publication ‘Journal of Agriculture’. It was later set to music and sung by sailors in both peace-time and during wartime.
The chorus of the song suggests it is about dealing with a drunken sailor on board a ship – either helping him sober up or getting rid of him altogether. However there are many alternative interpretations on what could have inspired this particular shanty; some believe that the drunkenness is symbolic of unruliness among sailors, while others suggest that politically rebellious actions may be referenced.
From its original inception to date, ‘What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor’ has come to represent many things including freedom at sea, loyalty to duty and general good humour between sailors during hard times at sea; parts of the lyrics also appear in other naval songs.
Whatever its origins, this song remains an evocative reminder of seafaring life with each passing generation able to relate their own versionnof what it means for them – from work fatigue after long days at sea served with a hearty dose of bawdy humour.
Step by Step Guide – How to Play What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor
What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor is an age old sea shanty that has been passed down through generations. It’s a fun, easy to learn song that will be sure to delight everyone in the room when sung aloud. Whether you are a young seadog full of glee or an old salty wolf with plenty of experience, this guide should give you the confidence to take command and lead your shipmates in this classic tune. So raise your flag and set course for adventure as we show you how to Play What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor!
Step One – The Chords
The first step to playing this great song is familiarizing yourself with the chords. What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor only requires two chords, D Major and G Major. If you’ve never played these before then don’t worry; just look at some diagrams online or watch some YouTube tutorials until they become second nature to you. Once you can comfortably play both chords it’s time for Step 2!
Step Two – The Strumming Pattern
Down Up Down Up; Down Up Down Up; is the most common strumming pattern associated with this song. However, it’s not mandatory. Feel free to add your own flair here as long as the basic rhythm remains relatively intact. Once again if this is totally new to you then look up some help online until it becomes second nature; there are plenty of helpful guides out there designed specifically for this purpose.
Step Three – Sing Along!
So far we have two elements working together – chords and strumming pattern – all that remains now is singing along! Out of these three components singing comes last because it requires no technical knowledge but simply enthusiasm which hopefully isn’t too hard a task! All performers need commitment so get those lungs warmed up and join in on one of history’s greatest sing-a-longs!
And that sums up how to play What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor?– Get familiar with two simple chords, nail down a basic strumming pattern and let your voice ride atop those beautiful musical waves like a proud spectacled pirate captain heading home after months abroad on salty seas!
FAQs About the Cultural Significance & Origins of WhatDoYouDoWithADrunkenSailor
WhatDoYouDoWithADrunkenSailor is an old English sea shanty, sung by sailors working on commercial ships. The song is believed to have originated in the English Navy around the early 1800s and was made popular during the Napoleonic Wars. While it isn’t known for sure who wrote the original version of the song, some historians believe it was a sailor named William Clepsy.
Despite its origin as a nautical tune intended to pass time while engaged in tedious labor, WhatDoYouDoWithADrunkenSailor has evolved into a timeless classic across many cultures. Over time, dozens of variations have been created with various lyrics and rhythms, often featuring different instrumental backings like accordion or electric guitar. The tune can be heard everywhere from pubs and concerts to movies and commercials.
The popularity of WhatDoYouDoWithADrunkenSailor may stem from its tongue-in-cheek humor – the playful story follows a captain’s attempted solutions to handle a wayward crew member who’d had too much rum – such as tying him to the yardarm! It’s certainly an entertaining tale that continues to capture imaginations over two centuries later. However, there may also be deeper cultural meaning as many elements of this shanty are represented within coastal communities’ customs throughout Europe and North America: for example, cooperation among crews for joint labor (successfully pulling up another’s mate when he falls overboard) or words of impressive sailing feats meant to awe landlubbers at ports (i.e., “we sailed ’round Cape Horn!”).
In sum: WhatDoYouDoWithADrunkenSailor is more than just a humorous drinking song – it’s steeped in centuries-old seafaring tradition, highlighting camaraderie among sailors engaging in arduous work aboard ships navigating treacherous waters far away from home. It remains relevant today with its upbeat rhythm connecting listeners not only across genres but also generations — that’s really something worth singing about!
