Drunken Sailor - Instrumental Fiddle Sea Shanty

Here is an instrumental fiddle version of the sea shanty, "Drunken Sailor." This tune is a fun and simple tune to play, and it has a really catchy melody. =) I hope you enjoy this version of the tune! ^_^

Sheet Music:

Backing Track (no piano help / silent introduction -- the backing track used in the video):

Backing Track that is easier to follow (piano melody introduction help):

Sea shanties were sailor work songs and often had a repetative melody. Versions of this tune have been incorporated into several orchestral arrangements, and the first time I played it was part of an arrangement of folk dances for an orchestra. Since then, I've heard people sing the lyrics often in bars and pubs, and it's a tune that definitely gets an audience excited. It seems like it is one of the few tunes that many people can recognize - even those who do not listen to traditional music very often. It has appeared across multiple production and video games, including "Spongebob Squarepants" and "Assassin's Creed"

There are many lyric verses to this tune, but the lyrics most people tend to sing along to are these:

What will we do with the drunken sailor?
What will we do with the drunken sailor?
What will we do with the drunken sailor?
Early in the morning!

Way, hey and up she rises,
Way, hey and up she rises,
Way, hey and up she rises,
Early, in the morning!

I personally think some of the lyrics get a bit crazy about things to do with a drunk sailor, but it's still a fun tune. It kind of makes me wonder what it was actually like to be a sailor on a boat for months on end during the past few centuries. Technology has really changed everything a lot over the years, and I think it's neat to think about.

I thought I'd try to add more interesting things to this video by creating time lapses of the sun rising and setting, as well as scenery views. Hopefully those things make the video a little more interesting to watch. ^_^ I've also noticed that ever since I started to learn Cello, my violin right bow hand has become so confused. It looks like I'm struggling to keep a violin bow hold in this video, (and trying to morph into a cello bow hold) so I think I need to put some focus into that! =S

Thank you for watching, and I hope you have a good rest of the week! =)

~ Katy

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Software and equipment used:

Software used (for Macintosh):
Garageband for attempted sound mixing

Final Cut Pro for video editing

Plugins for sound effects (I have A LOT to learn in this department!):
East West plugins – Goliath Virtual Instrument, Stormdrum II

Camera:
Canon 70D

Microphone for audio recording:
Blue Woodpecker

[alanmacreamoinn]

Greetings from Dublin, Ireland. I like her pairing of the main tune "Drunken Sailor" with "Drowsy Maggie" I think the 2 tunes compliment each other which shows the talent/professionalism, of the performer. A lovely arrangement.

[KaiTakApproach]

Capturing the pure joy of playing the violin, time after time....thanks again.

[Gguyrules]

Possibly one of the best renditions I have ever heard.

[raniashabani]

Lyrics:
What will we do with a drunken sailor?
What will we do with a drunken sailor?
What will we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning!
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Early in the morning!
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Early in the morning!
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Early in the morning!
Put him in a long boat till his sober
Put him in a long boat till his sober
Put him in a long boat till his sober
Early in the morning!
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Early in the morning!
Stick him in a scupper with a hosepipe bottom
Stick him in a scupper with a hosepipe bottom
Stick him in a scupper with a hosepipe bottom
Early in the morning!
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Early in the morning!
Put him in the bed with the captains daughter
Put him in the bed with the captains daughter
Put him in the bed with the captains daughter
Early in the morning!
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Early in the morning!
That's what we do with a drunken sailor
That's what we do with a drunken sailor
That's what we do with a drunken sailor
Early in the morning!
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Early in the morning!
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Early in the morning!

[honoringfallenheroes]

I love how you smile throughout the vide I including the end. I love it.

[trapperscout]

I love the addition of Drowsy Maggie and Tamlin's reel into this piece. It was very well done!

[jimbabin]

Ah Katy girl ... what a treasure you are! I've been drunken and a sailor, but neither experience was as pleasurable as watching your videos! Keep up the excellent work.

[LawfulNugget]

I have loved this song since I was a child. You play it beautifully. Just the right amount of bounce.

[ronnyfurst]

Well that is what comes out if an old soul plays an old song.... just perfect. Dear Miss Adelson :-) thanks for sharin your passion, your soul and your music with us!

[malinkywoos]

Ahoy! I'm inspired to pick the dusty fiddle up again. WONDERFUL!!

[susanfaulkner]

Thank you for that seafarin' tune-it be just what I needed to face the work day!

[caeliachapin]

Nice rendition of one of my old faves! When I taught English in Japan, I used to sometimes bring my guitar to class, and I'd play the song, then I'd have the students contribute verses about "What Shall We Do With The Drunken Student" (it was college, so they were allowed to drink ;-) ). We had a lot of fun with that.

[johnpapish]

love that beautiful flick of the eyes on the key change :)

[TheManWhoCanBeMovedd]

I don't know why this is in my recommendation but... this is amazing. This gave me urge to play AC: Black Flag again.

[UALDC]

Of the dozens of variants of Drunken Sailor I've heard, I think this is my favorite.

[tonymacdonald]

Love how you put a Irish reel and Glasgow reel in the mix of the sea shanty...Very creative and outstanding !

[jaredcolahan]

I've always loved this song but only no some of the words. Miss katy is gorgious and plays this very well.

[MariaGracielaAcostaPerei-wcgl]

I simply love the way you enjoy playing the beautiful music that comes naturaly from your soul.

[yutub]

From Azerbaijan love, I love Irish traditional music. Your are so beautiful. Thank you for.

[IdelUralState]

this melody is so timeless! beautiful!