Down Among the Dead Men

Composed by
Henry Purcell
Arranged by
John Sweden
Price
£ 16.00 

"Down Among the Dead Men" is an English drinking song first published in 1728, but possibly of greater antiquity. The song begins with a toast to "the King" and continues with obeisance’s to the god Bacchus which become increasingly less subtle descriptions of the benefits of alcohol in procuring opportunities for sex.

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  • For Conductors, Teachers and/or Students
  • Percussion Backing Tracks to accompany Superbrass Educational Material
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  • We always use 4 bars of Introduction before each tune starts (unless otherwise stated)
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  • 4 Trumpets
  • 1 Horn in F
  • 4 Trombones
  • 1 Tuba
  • Trumpet 4 doubles on Flugelhorn
  • All Alternative Brass Parts Included

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Description

"Down Among the Dead Men" is an English drinking song first published in 1728, but possibly of greater antiquity. The song begins with a toast to "the King" and continues with obeisance’s to the god Bacchus which become increasingly less subtle descriptions of the benefits of alcohol in procuring opportunities for sex. At the conclusion of each stanza of the song, those who deny the song's declarations are condemned to lay "down among the dead men," a euphemism for drunken unconsciousness. The lyrics to the song have been most widely attributed to John Dyer. It was first performed at the theatre at Lincoln's Inn Fields. The song makes use of a number of metaphors, most prominently the ”Dead men" being a term for empty bottles and the expression to "lie down among the dead men" means to get so drunk as to slip from one's chair and land under the table where the empty bottles have been discarded. The song maintained its popularity into the Victorian era, with the lyrics modified to replace the word "King" with the word "Queen" during the reign of Queen Victoria. Several vocal and instrumental performances of "Down Among the Dead Men" are included in the soundtrack to the 2013 video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.

“Brilliant technique and superb artistry from all concerned.”

Denis Wick

“The CD is just fabulous. The ensemble playing is fantastic; the tightness of the ensemble is amazing; the balance and dynamics are just brilliant.”

Philip Biggs
The Brass Herald

“The entire programme can be likened to a sumptuous feast, with each track having its own highly delectable and thoroughly satisfying flavour. The CD is surely compulsive listening for all brass and percussion enthusiasts.”

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Brass Band World

“Wow! What a great CD. The playing is superb”

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Musical Director, Cory Band

"Who but the best professionals could live up to this ?... Everything about this disc is to be recommended, the recording is crystal clear and the playing and arranging of the first water”

Dr. Paul Sarcich
www.mvdaily.com

“Under the Spell of Spain is a showcase of virtuosic playing by some of London’s finest brass and percussion players. Highly recommended!”

Jon Gorrie
Founder, BrassMusician.com

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