Lyr Add: The Antediluvians Were All Very Sober

Subject: Lyr Add: THE ANTEDILUVIANS WERE ALL VERY SOBER
From: MMario
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:10 PM

I just ran across this -

THE ANTEDILUVIANS WERE ALL VERY SOBER
(Benjamin Franklin - 1745)

The Antediluvians were all very sober
For they had no Wine, and they brew'd no October;
All wicked, bad Livers, on Mischief still thinking,
For there can't be good Living where there is not good Drinking.
Derry down

'Twas honest old Noah first planted the Vine,
And mended his Morals by drinking its Wine;
He justly the drinking of Water decry'd;
For he knew that all Mankind, by drinking it, dy'd.
Derry down.

From this Piece of History plainly we find
That Water's good neither for Body or Mind;
That Virtue and Safety in Wine-bibbing's found
While all that drink Water deserve to be drown'd.
Derry down

So For Safety and Honesty put the Glass round.

Anyone ever heard this performed? Any suggestions as to a tune?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: A drinking song 1745
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:19 PM

Quick, quick, let's get a tune for this!! I want to sing it now!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: A drinking song 1745
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:23 PM

Seems to scan OK to Rosin the Beau/Bow.........

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: A drinking song 1745
From: paddymac
Date: 02 May 02 - 01:07 PM

Good Ol' Ben - a regular bon vivant. Seems like I recall hearing a song with a very similar chorus, i.e.; "Derry down, Derry down, da-da-da-dah," (or words to that effect) :>)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: A drinking song 1745
From: MMario
Date: 02 May 02 - 01:31 PM

ah-hah! see the tunefile derrydwn!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: A drinking song 1745
From: Jim Krause
Date: 02 May 02 - 01:36 PM

I have! I have! We often sing this one at Fort Osage. It has been recorded by Dennis & Barbara Duffy on their recording "At the Red Lion Inn." Alas, the recording is available only on cassette.
Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: A drinking song 1745
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 May 02 - 01:41 PM

Another good old drinking song, "Down Among the Dead Men," can be found on thread 2985: Dead Men
The dead men, of course, are the empties under the table. The song was sung by the Carolina Charter Colonists.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: A drinking song 1745
From: MMario
Date: 02 May 02 - 01:45 PM

I love down among the dead men! but after hearing the Pyrates Royale do it - the thought of singing it solo makes me cringe.

Jim - why "alas"? I get more playtime out of a cassette then I do a CD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Antediluvians Were All Very Sober
From: Abby Sale
Date: 10 Jan 14 - 05:11 PM

I'm just reading "Fart Proudly." It's a collections of essays, bawdy suggestions, poems and outrageousnesses Ben Franklin published in his newspaper. The editor, Carl Japikse, notes that considering modern Freedom of the Press, the modern press lacks the freedom to print anything of this nature.

I was just checking Mudcat that the single last line was correct and not a misprint.

It being a 'Derry Down', and especially because I picked up the small book at the Mystic Seaport Museum bookstore, the "The Dreadnaught" tune jumped into my head immediately. You have to pay a little attention to scansion in some of the first verse but it's clear sailing after that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Antediluvians Were All Very Sober
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 01:02 PM

The tune I have for 'The Coal owner and the Pitman's Wife' is a good fit . May well give it a try .