What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor? (Key Stage 2)
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
A Key Stage 2 Guide to the World's Most Famous Working Song
Ahoy, young musicians!
Today we are exploring the history, rhythm, and lyrics of one of the most famous sea shanties ever written.
Whether you are singing in a choir or learning the "Dorian Anchor" on the piano, this song is a brilliant way to understand how music was used to help sailors work together on giant merchant ships.
The "Stamp-and-Go" Rhythm
"What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?" is known as a 'stamp-and-go' or halyard shanty.
Unlike slower songs used for turning a heavy anchor, this one has a very fast, energetic beat. It was used for tasks where sailors had to run down the deck while pulling a rope together to raise the heavy sails.
To feel the pulse, try marching to the beat: Left, right, left, right!. In the Triquetrae Music Education Programme, we use this song to practice our M.U.S.I.C. principles of engagement and rhythm.
Singing Like a Sailor
While the title mentions a "drunken" sailor, in history, this was often a humorous way for sailors to talk about someone who was too tired or lazy to do their chores early in the morning.
For our school version, we focus on the fun "consequences" the crew suggests and the hard work they do.
Listen to the melody and sing along
Drunken Sailor: The Famous Chorus
The chorus is the "Response" part of the song where the whole crew bellows the answer back to the leader.
Way hay and up she rises,
Way hay and up she rises,
Way hay and up she rises,
Early in the morning!
Classroom-Friendly Verses
These verses are perfect for Key Stage 2. They focus on the historical "stamp-and-go" actions and the funny ways sailors tried to wake each other up.
Verse Number | Lyric | Historical Connection |
Verse 1 | Put him in a longboat 'til he's sober. | A longboat was a small boat used for rowing! |
Verse 2 | Pull on the ropes and heave him over. | Sailors had to "heave" together to move heavy loads. |
Verse 3 | Put him in the scuppers with a hose pipe on him. | The scuppers were the holes that let water off the deck. |
Verse 4 | Heave him up and make him do his chores now. | Reminds the crew that everyone has a job to do! |
Sing Along like a Pirate
Download the Lyrics
The Modal Mystery
Did you know this song doesn't use a standard major or minor scale?
It is written in the Dorian Mode. This is an ancient musical "magic spell" that starts on the note D and uses only the white keys on the piano.
In our Stage 2 composition challenges, we call this the "Dorian Anchor". It sounds mysterious and "salty"—perfect for a story about a ship.
Compose your own Shanty on this link
Activity: The Shantyman Challenge
Find the Pulse: Tap your foot to a steady 4/4 beat (1, 2, 3, 4).
Call and Response: Have one person be the "Shantyman" (the leader) to sing the verses, and the rest of the class be the "Crew" to shout the chorus.
The Stamp-and-Go: On the chorus, try marching or "stomping" your feet on the first beat of every bar to show the "heave".
Are you ready to board the Modal Memoria and try it yourself?
Download the Music to play this Sea Shanty
Musical Glossary for Sailors:
Pulse: The steady heartbeat of the music.
Synchronisation: Pulling or moving at exactly the same time to the rhythm.
Call and Response: A musical pattern of a "question" followed by an "answer".
