What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor Lyrics

This traditional sea shanty, documented from around 1839 among sailors of Ireland and the United Kingdom, was originally sung to coordinate physical work aboard ships, giving it a naturally strong, rhythmic pulse. Its call-and-response structure and driving beat appeal to children ages 4 to 8, who enjoy the energetic tempo and the fun of shouting the repeated question-and-answer lines. Early-childhood educators often use work songs like this one to teach rhythm and group timing, since the shanty's built-in call-and-response format encourages children to listen for their cue and respond together. The song also opens the door to talking about ships, sailors, and life at sea in an age-appropriate way. Because the melody is simple and repetitive, children can join in quickly even without memorizing every verse in advance. It works well for active movement games, marching, or simple percussion accompaniment at home or in a classroom setting. To learn more about how repetition supports early language development, see why children love repetition in songs.

What shall we do with the drunken sailor,
What shall we do with the drunken sailor,
What shall we do with the 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!

Put him in the long boat 'til he's sober,
Put him in the long boat 'til he's sober,
Put him in the long boat 'til he's 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!