Seven Drunken Nights

“Seven Drunken Nights” by The Dubliners is a humorous and satirical Irish folk song that tells the story of a man who comes home drunk each night of the week, only to find increasingly suspicious signs of his wife’s infidelity. The song is structured in a repetitive format, with each verse introducing a new object or situation that the drunken man questions, and his wife providing increasingly absurd explanations.

The song begins with the man noticing a horse outside his door on Monday night, where his own horse should be. His wife dismisses his concern by claiming it’s a sow sent by her mother. As the week progresses, the man finds a coat, a pipe, boots, a head, and other items that clearly do not belong to him. Each time, his wife concocts a ridiculous story to explain away the evidence, such as a woollen blanket with buttons or a tin whistle with tobacco. The humor lies in the escalating absurdity of the wife’s explanations and the man’s drunken gullibility.

The Dubliners, known for their traditional Irish folk music, use this song to highlight themes of infidelity, trust, and the effects of alcohol. The repetitive structure and catchy melody make it a memorable and entertaining piece, while the exaggerated scenarios and witty lyrics provide a comedic take on a potentially serious subject. The song also reflects the cultural context of Irish drinking culture and the use of humor to cope with personal and social issues.

The final verses, which were initially discarded, take the absurdity to its peak, with the man finding hands on his wife’s breasts and a “thing” in her “thing.” These verses, though not commonly performed, underscore the song’s playful and irreverent nature, pushing the boundaries of humor and satire.