The Fisherman's Friends is a British male singing group from Port Isaac, Co… Read Full Bio ↴The Fisherman's Friends is a British male singing group from Port Isaac, Cornwall, who sing sea shanties. They have recorded three albums (to date) with this name, and also as Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends (one album) and as Fisherman's Friends (three albums to date).

The group has been performing locally since 1995, and signed a record deal with Universal Music in March 2010. Whilst essentially an a cappella group, their studio recordings and live performances now often include traditional simple instrumentation.

Drunken Sailor
The Fisherman's Friends 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?
Ear′ly in the mornin'

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises

Ear′ly in the mornin'

Put him in the scuppers with the lee rail under
Put him in the scuppers with the lee rail under
Put him in the scuppers with the lee rail under
Ear'ly in the mornin′

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Ear′ly in the mornin'

Put him in the brig until he′s sober
Put him in the brig until he's sober
Put him in the brig until he′s sober
Ear'ly in the mornin′

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Ear'ly in the mornin'

Put him in a whaler, make him pull her
Put him in a whaler, make him pull her
Put him in a whaler, make him pull her
Ear′ly in the mornin′

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Ear'ly in the mornin′

Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Ear'ly in the mornin′

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Ear'ly in the mornin′

Put him in a bunk with the captain's daughter
Put him in a bunk with the captain's daughter
Put him in a bunk with the captain′s daughter
Ear′ly in the mornin'

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Ear′ly in the mornin'

Have you seen the captain′s daughter?
Have you seen the captain's daughter?
Have you seen the captain′s daughter?
Ear'ly in the mornin'

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises
Ear′ly in the mornin′

Keel-haul him, keel-haul him
Keel-haul him, keel-haul him
Keel-haul him, keel-haul him
Ear'ly in the mornin′

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Hoo-ray and up she rises

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Ear'ly in the mornin′

Overall Meaning

The Fisherman's Friends's song "Drunken Sailor" is a traditional sea shanty that was sung by sailors during the 19th century. It describes different ways to deal with a drunken sailor early in the morning. The song has a call-and-response structure and a lively melody that is perfect for singing while working on a ship.

The lyrics of the song suggest that the most common ways to handle a drunken sailor were to put him in the scuppers with the lee rail under, which means throwing him overboard, or putting him in the brig until he's sober. However, the song also offers some more playful options such as putting him in a bunk with the captain's daughter, shaving his belly with a rusty razor or keel-hauling him. All of these solutions may seem harsh, but they were necessary in order to maintain order and discipline on board a ship.

In summary, "Drunken Sailor" is a lively and humorous sea shanty that reflects the simple life and tough discipline of sailors during the 19th century. It was sung to keep morale high and to help the sailors pass the time during long voyages.

Line by Line Meaning

What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
How should we handle this intoxicated sailor?

Hoo-ray and up she rises
Cheer and raise spirits

Put him in the scuppers with the lee rail under
Leave him in the drainage gutters on the lower side of the ship to experience discomfort and injury

Put him in the brig until he's sober
Imprison him until he is no longer drunk

Put him in a whaler, make him pull her
Force him to work on a whaling vessel and contribute to the team's efforts

Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Punish him through a painful act of hygiene

Put him in a bunk with the captain's daughter
Put the drunken sailor in an uncomfortable or compromising situation, potentially with the intention of further humiliating him

Have you seen the captain's daughter?
Have you noticed the captain's daughter or heard rumors about her?

Keel-haul him, keel-haul him
Drag the sailor under the keel of the ship until he is nearly drowned, inflicting a brutal form of punishment

Ear'ly in the mornin'
At a time that is early in the day

Writer(s): Traditional, Keith Stent, Myrna Stent

Contributed by Mackenzie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS