'You come across the American expression "go down" now and then - e.g. "Go down you blood red roses."'
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I'm American, and I've never heard that expression in my life.

Well, it has become a part of police lingo, as in 'The arrest of Joe Blow finally went down last night,' but this is a recent development.

What song is it that has 'Go down, Hannah?' What shanty has 'Go down, you red roses'? What are they about?