Lyr Req: If we drink, we will die

Subject: Title Unknown
From: Raedwulf
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 06:17 PM

I'm not even sure if it's folk (it might be filk, rather...).

What I can remember is this:

The verses go on about various glamorous & adventurous roles (soldiers, sailors, pirates, blah...) always ending with a line that explains how the singer instead wants to be like the man who drinks his drink in the pub "& goes quietly home..."

The verses have quite a gentle melody & rhythm, unlike the cossacky sounding chorus which runs along the lines of -

"If we drink, we will die,
If we don't drink, we will die,
So we might as well say 'What the Hell!',
And raise our glasses high
[Line I can't remember]
You'll be dying just the same
So you might as well say 'What the Hell!',
And join us in a game! Hey!"

Something like that, any way. If anyone has the slightest clue as to any of the missing lyrics, title (at a guess, "If We Drink We Will Die", but I've never found anything under that title), or tune, I would be most grateful - I've occasionally (i.e. when I've remembered to ask someone!) been trying to track this one down for a few years.

Many Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Title Unknown
From: GUEST,Bardford
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 07:55 PM

I found the "if we drink we die, if we don't..." quote attributed to Taras Bulba on this page:

Dopko's Home page

Might be a start.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Title Unknown
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 08:30 PM

Arky's Toast??

Not what you want but similar.

I like the slam against Morris Dancers at the end.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Song title converted to link. --JoeClone, 24-Aug-02.

Subject: Add: If We Drink We Will Die (Some Men, They Are)
From: GUEST,LYRIC ADD ................ 999
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 09:07 AM

If We Drink We Will Die (Some Men, They Are)

Some men they are sailors,
Mighty ocean whalers,
As from shore to icy shore they boldly sail.
But the man I drink to,
The man nobody drinks to,
Is the man who only goes to sea to drink the ale.

Chorus
If we drink we will die
If we don't drink we will die
So we might as well say "What the hell!"
And raise our glasses high
Whatever your name
You'll be dying just the same
So you might as well say, "What the hell!"
and join us in a drink
Hey!

Some men they are fighters,
Mighty warrior fighters,
As from battlefield to battlefield they run.
But the man I drink to,
The man nobody drinks to,
Is the man who only goes to war just for the rum.

Chorus

Some men they are lovers,
They work under covers,
As from lady's bed to lady's bed they creep.
But the man I drink to,
The man nobody drinks to,
Is the man who only goes to bed to go to sleep.

Chorus

Some men they are thinkers,
Other men are drinkers,
As from pulbic bar to public bar they roam.
But the man I drink to,
The man nobody drinks to,
Is the man who only has one drink and then goes home.

Chorus


That is from

http://wychwood.wikidot.com/songbook-if-we-drink

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If we drink, we will die
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 12:04 PM

A Useful Website !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If we drink, we will die
From: Blowzabella
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 06:48 PM

Gosh - seeing those words brought back memories! I used to be a member of various Dark Age reenactment societies and that was one of many songs we altered to suit our purposes. They would be sung round the campfire. Different societies would meet up at events (including some in Denmark which we went to) and songs would be learned and become part of your own society's collection - an oral tradition still ongoing!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If we drink, we will die
From: Raedwulf
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 07:40 PM

Well, it only took 10 years, but I got an answer eventually... :)

(The Far Isles / SCA version was definitely "game", presumably becuase it rhymed with "same")

Now I just need to remember the tune! :o

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If we drink, we will die
From: Blowzabella
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 07:55 PM

Here you go

Just the one verse, but it should give you the idea :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If we drink, we will die
From: Raedwulf
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 08:02 PM

Ha! I never knew the entire thing was a.. Well, that settles it. It was filk all along! :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If we drink, we will die
From: Blowzabella
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 08:08 PM

You're welcome :)