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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Beer and spirits were (are?) a vital part of the sailors healthy diet. In the times of sailing ships, when sailors could be at sea for several months at a time (what's changed?) scurvy was the dreaded disease which was kept at bay by beer! When the beer ran out scurvy moved in and wiped out whole sections of the crew. So it was essential to maintain the supply of this life-saving liquid. This was before the wonders of citrus fruits were discovered.

However beer contains alcohol, so no wonder sailors succumbed to the cravings of the 'elixir'. Hence drunken sailors. Well, that's one explanation anyway. 

This timeless 'Capstan' sea shanty has been a favourite of sailors from time immemorial. (And singers from all walks of life on board ship; in the concert hall; in the school concert; in the pub . . .) Once again its rhythms match the sea-going criteria and were essential to team rope-pulling or windlass winding, so it's use in sailing ships' management was paramount. In our case here, away from the rigours of sailing, we invite you to pop into the 'Sailor's Arms' with us and join in a merry musical sing-song. Enjoy. Bottoms up. And Cheers!

What shall we do with the drunken sailor?

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.

Hooray and up she rises.
Hooray and up she rises.
Hooray and up she rises.
Early in the morning.

Put him in the Longboat 'til he's sober. 
Put him in the longboat 'til he's sober. 
Put him in the longboat 'til he's sober. 
Early in the morning.

Hooray and up she rises.
Hooray and up she rises.
Hooray and up she rises.
Early in the morning.

Pull out the plug and he'll get a dowsing. 
Pull out the plug and he'll get a dowsing. 
Pull out the plug and he'll get a dowsing. 
Early in the morning.

Hooray and up she rises.
Hooray and up she rises.
Hooray and up she rises.
Early in the morning.

Put him in the scuppers with a hosepipe on him. 
Put him in the scuppers with a hosepipe on him. 
Put him in the scuppers with a hosepipe on him. 
Early in the morning.

Hooray and up she rises.
Hooray and up she rises.
Hooray and up she rises.
Early in the morning.

  Bottoms  Up!         Again . . .?

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