What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor Lyrics
Ever found yourself humming along to a tune and then BAM! You're suddenly belting out, "What shall we do with a drunken sailor?" It's a catchy little ditty, isn't it? That old sea shanty has probably been sung around campfires, at parties, and maybe even while trying to get a particularly stubborn piece of furniture through a doorway. But have you ever stopped to think about the lyrics themselves? Not just the rhythm, but the actual words? They're a treasure trove of silliness and, dare I say, surprisingly practical (in a very, very, very roundabout way) suggestions.
Think about it. The song itself is basically a brainstorming session for dealing with a slightly-too-merry shipmate. And let's be honest, who hasn't been in a situation where they needed a creative, if not entirely sensible, solution? This isn't about actually harming anyone, of course! It's all in good fun, a rollicking chant that celebrates the chaos of a bit too much grog. The lyrics are like a cartoonish instruction manual for a very specific, very rowdy problem. Imagine a group of sailors, probably smelling vaguely of salt and questionable hygiene, huddled together, scratching their heads and coming up with the most outlandish ideas. That's the spirit of it!
The Early Morning Shenanigans
The song kicks off with the classic, "What shall we do with a drunken sailor, early in the morning?" And then come the suggestions! You've got "Shave his belly with a rusty razor!" Now, I'm not recommending anyone actually do this, especially not with a rusty razor (ouch!), but can you picture the scene? A blurry-eyed sailor, his beard probably looking like a bird's nest, and a group of his mates armed with… well, not the sharpest tools in the shed. It's the kind of thing you'd only think of when you're a bit sleep-deprived and slightly delirious yourself. It's the idea of the act, the sheer absurdity of it, that makes the lyrics so entertaining. It's the naval equivalent of trying to get a cat into a carrier – lots of flailing and questionable decisions.
Then there's, "Put him in the longboat 'til he's sober!" This one's a bit more sensible, in its own way. It's like putting a naughty child in timeout, but with a lot more rocking and the distinct possibility of sea sickness. Imagine a little rowboat, bobbing precariously on the waves, with our inebriated friend trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. It’s the ultimate “sleep it off” strategy, with a scenic, and probably damp, view. It’s the nautical equivalent of being grounded in your room, but your room happens to be a rather unstable wooden box on the ocean.
Escalating the Merriment (and the Absurdity!)
As the song progresses, the suggestions get even more… colorful. "Put him in the scuppers with a hosepipe on him!" Now, this is where we really lean into the playful exaggeration. Scuppers are those little drains on a ship's deck. So, you're essentially putting a soggy sailor in a tiny ditch and spraying him with water. It's like a very unconventional, and probably very cold, car wash. You can just hear the laughter echoing across the deck as the poor fellow gets a good drenching. It’s a universally understood form of gentle (or not-so-gentle) teasing. It’s the spirit of a good-natured prank that’s gone slightly overboard, much like the sailor himself.
And then, the grand finale: "Heave him by the leg in a running bowline!" A bowline is a type of knot. So, you're hanging the sailor upside down by his leg. Again, let's be clear: this is purely for entertainment and historical context! Nobody's suggesting you actually try this at home. But the image! It's so dramatic, so over-the-top. It’s the kind of thing that would send the rest of the crew into fits of giggles. It's the ultimate, slightly terrifying, but undeniably hilarious, way to deal with a man who's had a bit too much to drink. It’s the pinnacle of nautical tomfoolery, a testament to human ingenuity when faced with a common problem and a healthy dose of silliness.
More Than Just a Sea Shanty
So, what do you really do with the lyrics of "What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor"? You sing them with gusto! You embrace the silliness. You imagine the boisterous, good-natured chaos of life at sea. These lyrics are a reminder that even in tough or challenging situations (like a ship full of tipsy sailors), there's always room for a bit of humor and creativity. They’re a testament to the power of a catchy tune and a well-worn story. They’re a little peek into a world where problems were often solved with a song and a laugh, even if the solutions were as wild as a seagull in a hurricane. So next time you hear it, don't just sing along. Think about the brilliant, bizarre, and utterly entertaining suggestions within those simple words. They’re more than just lyrics; they're a tiny, rowdy celebration of human nature!
