Published 1728 | ||
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Composer(s) Henry Purcell (possible) | ||
"Down Among the Dead Men" is an English drinking song first published in 1728, but possibly of greater antiquity.
Contents
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," a euphemism for drunken unconsciousness.
Background
The lyrics to the song have been most widely attributed to John Dyer. According to Charles Mackay, it was first performed at the theater at Lincoln's Inn Fields. 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. 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.
The song makes use of a number of metaphors, most prominently the song's title "Down Among the Dead Men." "Dead men" 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.