Pyrates! have requisitioned countless well known folk tunes from sailors of ages past including songs of the sea, Bawdy Ballads, Jaunty Jigs, Irish Ditties, Sea Shanties, Drinking Songs and arr’cappella folk tunes that’ll be sure ta have yez tappin’ yer foot and singing along in no time!
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Drunken Sailor
Pyrates! Lyrics
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What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
What shall we do with the drunken sailor
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
Throw him in the longboat till he′s sober
Throw him in the longboat till he's sober
Throw him in the longboat till he′s sober
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
Toss him in the scuppers with a hose-pipe on him
Toss him in the scuppers with a hose-pipe on him
Toss him in the scuppers with a hose-pipe on him
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
Hoist him up to the topsail yardarm
Hoist him up to the topsail yardarm
Hoist him up to the topsail yardarm
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Early in the morning
Heave him by the leg in a running bowline
Heave him by the leg in a running bowline
Heave him by the leg in a running bowline
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
Roll him over and drive him windward
Roll him over and drive him windward
Roll him over and drive him windward
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
Run him up the mast with the Jolly Roger
Run him up the mast with the Jolly Roger
Run him up the mast with the Jolly Roger
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
Put him in bed with the captain's daughter
Put him in bed with the captain's daughter
Put him in bed with the captain′s daughter
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
That′s what we'll do with the drunken sailor
That′s what we'll do with the drunken sailor
That′s what we'll do with the drunken sailor
Early in the morning
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Way hey and up she rises
Early in the morning
The song "Drunken Sailor" is a traditional sea shanty that dates back at least over a century. It is said to originate from the 19th century and was sung by sailors while working on board ships. The song became popular in the early 20th century after being collected by British folklorists. The lyrics describe various ways to deal with a drunken sailor who creates a disturbance early in the morning.
The first verse repeats the question, "What shall we do with the drunken sailor?" three times, followed by the answer "early in the morning." The subsequent verses offer different suggestions for dealing with the drunk, including throwing him in the longboat until he sobers up, tossing him overboard with a hose-pipe on him, and putting him in bed with the captain's daughter. The chorus, "Way hey and up she rises," likely served as a cadence for the sailors working on deck.
Interpretations of the song suggest that it speaks to the harsh and violent realities of life at sea, as well as to the boredom and monotony that sailors faced on long voyages. The lyrics give insight into the culture of the sea, including the strict hierarchy and discipline on board ships, as well as the sailors' use of humor and creativity in dealing with challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
What action should we take with this intoxicated sailor?
Early in the morning
At the start of the day
Way hey and up she rises
A chant to keep rhythm and spirits high
Throw him in the longboat till he′s sober
Put him in a boat until he's no longer drunk
Toss him in the scuppers with a hose-pipe on him
Throw him overboard and spray him with water
Hoist him up to the topsail yardarm
Raise him high up on the ship's mast
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Humiliate him by shaving his belly with a dull blade
Heave him by the leg in a running bowline
Hang him upside down by his leg in a rope knot
Roll him over and drive him windward
Rotate him and expose him to the wind and sea spray
Run him up the mast with the Jolly Roger
Raise him up the mast with the pirate flag
Put him in bed with the captain's daughter
Punish him by forcing him to sleep with the captain's daughter
That′s what we'll do with the drunken sailor
This is how we will handle the drunk sailor
Writer(s): David Gedrych
Contributed by Jayden A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.