☝️ Key Points
- The song represents the problem of how to deal with a drunken sailor who is unable to fulfill his duties on a ship, thus posing a danger to the operation and safety of the crew.
- The solutions proposed in the lyrics range from humorous to serious and reflect different methods to sober up or punish the sailor, from simple solutions to potentially life-threatening penalties.
- Some of the proposed punishments are rather drastic and reflect the strict discipline and harsh conditions at sea.
- The repeated chorus 'Hooray and up she rises' could express an optimistic attitude that the ship and its crew will continue on despite all challenges.
- The entire song lyrics give a vivid impression of the challenges of sailor's life, the need for discipline, and the harshness of the methods to maintain it.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?" is a traditional sea shanty that reflects in many ways the experiences and challenges of sailors at sea. The repeated question 'What shall we do with the drunken sailor?' poses the central problem: how should the crew deal with a drunken sailor who is unable to fulfill his duties and poses a danger to the smooth operation of the ship and the safety of the crew.
The 'solutions' proposed in the song lyrics vary widely, ranging from humorous to serious. Some suggestions, like 'Sling him in the long boat till he's sober,' or 'Put him in the guard room till he's sober,' imply simple solutions where the sailor can sober up without endangering the crew.
Other suggestions are more drastic and reflect the harsh reality at sea. For example, 'Give him a taste of the bosun's rope-end,' which suggests punishment by whipping, or 'Send him up the crow's nest till he falls down,' which suggests a potentially life-threatening punishment.
The chorus 'Hooray and up she rises' could express an optimistic attitude that despite the difficulties and dangers, the ship (and its crew) will continue on and 'rise up'.
Overall, the song illustrates the challenges of life at sea, the need for discipline, and the harsh, sometimes brutal methods to maintain it.