“Down Among the Dead Men” by David Bispham 1912
David Bisphan was an American operatic baritone born in the mid-19th century. He studied in Italy and then sang extensively in England and the USA as well as across Europe. An incredible voice not all that well known these days. He sang at the Metropolitan opera, mostly in Wagner roles, from 1896 to 1903. After 1903 he sang few opera roles. Instead he performed in recitals and sang and recorded art song and lieder.
Down Among the Dead Men” is an English drinking song first published in 1728, but possibly of greater antiquity.
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.
Lyrics:
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!
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