Printable Coloring Pages
Sea Shanty Coloring Pages: Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest
Lyrics:
Fifteen men on the Dead Man's Chest—
Drink and the devil had done for the rest—
The mate was fixed by the bos'n's pike,
The bos'n brained with a marlin spike,
And Cookey's throat was marked belike
It had been gripped
By fingers ten;
And there they lay,
All good dead men
Like break-o'-day in a boozing-ken—
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
Fifteen men of the whole ship's list—
Dead and be damned and the rest gone whist!—
The skipper lay with his nob in gore
Where the scullion's axe his cheek had shore—
And the scullion he was stabbed times four.
And there they lay,
And the soggy skies
Dripped all day long
In upstaring eyes—
In murk sunset and at foul sunrise—
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
Fifteen men of 'em stiff and stark—
Ten of the crew had the Murder mark—
'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead,
Or a yawing hole in a battered head—
And the scuppers glut with a rotting red
And there they lay—
Aye, damn my eyes—
All lookouts clapped
On paradise—
All souls bound just contrariwise—
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.
Fifteen men of 'em good and true—
Every man jack could ha' sailed with Old Pew—
There was chest on chest full of Spanish gold,
With a ton of plate in the middle hold,
And the cabins riot of stuff untold,
And they lay there,
That had took the plum,
With sightless glare
And their lips struck dumb,
While we shared all by the rule of thumb—
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
More was seen through the stern light screen—
Chartings no doubt where a woman had been!—
A flimsy shift on a bunker cot,
With a thin dirk slot through the bosom spot
And the lace stiff dry in a purplish blot.
Oh was she wench…
Or some shuddering maid…?
That dared the knife—
And took the blade!
By God! she was stuff for a plucky jade—
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
Fifteen men on the Dead Man's Chest—
Drink and the devil had done for the rest—
We wrapped 'em all in a mains'l tight
With twice ten turns of a hawser's bight
And we heaved 'em over and out of sight—
With a Yo-Heave-Ho!
And a fare-you-well!
And a sullen plunge
In the sullen swell,
Ten fathoms deep on the road to hell!
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
About "Derelict" and "Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest"
"Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest," also known as "Derelict," is a famous sea shanty that has its origins in Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure novel, "Treasure Island," published in 1883.
Origins in Literature: The phrase "Fifteen men on the dead man's chest—Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!" was first introduced in "Treasure Island." Stevenson created these lines as a fictional pirate song, and they were sung by the pirates in the story, evoking a sense of the high seas' danger and adventure. The verse quickly became one of the most memorable parts of the novel, capturing the imaginations of readers and contributing to the romanticized image of pirate life.
From Novel to Poem: Inspired by the catchy and evocative line, various poets and authors expanded upon Stevenson's original creation. One notable adaptation was by Young E. Allison, who in 1891 wrote a longer poem titled "Derelict," based on Stevenson's original verse. Allison's poem delves deeper into the grim and eerie aspects of pirate life, painting a vivid picture of their exploits and eventual demise.
From Poem to Sea Shanty: As with many aspects of maritime culture, the catchy and rhythmic nature of the lines made them ideal for adaptation into a sea shanty. Sailors adopted and adapted "Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest" into their repertoire of work songs, using its rhythm to coordinate labor aboard ships. The song's dark and adventurous themes resonated with the harsh realities of life at sea, ensuring its place in the tradition of sea shanties.
Cultural Impact: "Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest" has transcended its literary origins to become one of the most recognizable and iconic pirate songs. Its influence is seen in numerous adaptations, covers, and references in popular culture, including movies, television shows, and music. The song's enduring appeal lies in its vivid imagery and the universal allure of pirate lore.