Down Among the Dead Men (song)

"Down Among the Dead Men" is an English drinking song first published in 1728, but possibly of greater antiquity.

"Down Among the Dead Men"
Song
LanguageEnglish
Published1728
GenreDrinking song
Composer(s)Henry Purcell (possible)
Lyricist(s)John Dyer (possible)

The song begins with a toast to "the King" and continues with obeisances to the god Bacchus which become increasingly less subtle descriptions of the benefits of alcohol in procuring opportunities for sexual intercourse. At the conclusion of each stanza of the song, those who deny the song's declarations are condemned to lay "down among the dead men", another term for drunken unconsciousness.

Background

The lyrics to the song have been most widely attributed to John Dyer.[1] According to Charles Mackay, it was first performed at the theatre at Lincoln's Inn Fields.[2] Another source gives credit for the melody to Henry Purcell, noting that it was first published in 1728 in The Dancing Master, a multi-volume book of songs from Pearson & Young, but is likely of older origin.[3] The song maintained its popularity into the Victorian era, with the lyrics modified to replace the word "King" with the word "Queen" during the reign of Queen Victoria.[1]

The song makes use of a number of metaphors, most prominently the song's title "Down Among the Dead Men". "Dead men" or "dead soldiers" is a term for empty bottles and the expression "to lie down among the dead men" means to get so drunk as to slip from one's chair and land under the table where the empty bottles have been discarded.[4]

Modern arrangements

Lyrics
The third and fourth stanzas of "Down Among the Dead Men" reference Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, fertility, and ritual madness.

Here's a health to the King and a lasting peace
To faction an end, to wealth increase.
Come, let us drink it while we have breath,
For there's no drinking after death.
And he that will this health deny,
Down among the dead men, down among the dead men,
Down, down, down, down;
Down among the dead men let him lie!

Let charming beauty's health go round,
With whom celestial joys are found.
And may confusion yet pursue,
That selfish woman-hating crew.
And he who'd woman's health deny,
Down among the dead men, down among the dead men,
Down, down, down, down;
Down among the dead men let him lie!

In smiling Bacchus' joys I'll roll,
Deny no pleasure to my soul.
Let Bacchus' health round briskly move,
For Bacchus is a friend to Love;
And they that would this health deny,
Down among the dead men, down among the dead men,
Down, down, down, down;
Down among the dead men let him lie!

May love and wine their rights maintain,
And their united pleasures reign.
While Bacchus' treasure crowns the board,
We'll sing the joy that both afford.
And they that won't with us comply,
Down among the dead men, down among the dead men,
Down, down, down, down;
Down among the dead men let them lie!

References
  1. Gregory, E. David (2010). The Late Victorian Folksong Revival. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 464. ISBN 978-0810869882.
  2. Mackay, Charles (n.d.). The Illustrated Book of English Songs. H. Ingram & Co. p. 123.
  3. Moffat, Alfred (1901). Characteristic songs and dances of all nations. Bailey & Ferguson. p. 10.
  4. Phyfe, William (1901). 5000 Facts and Fancies. G. P. Putnam. p. 225.
  5. Books at Brown. Brown University. 1945. p. 16.
  6. Delta Upsilon Quarterly. 1905. p. 283.
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