The Dead Horse

The song 'The Dead Horse' by Sea Shanties is a traditional sea shanty that tells the story of a poor old man and his dying horse. Sea shanties were work songs sung by sailors to coordinate their efforts and alleviate the monotony of long voyages. This particular shanty uses the metaphor of a dying horse to reflect the hardships and inevitable losses faced by sailors at sea.

The lyrics begin with the introduction of a poor old man riding a horse that is on the brink of death. The repeated lines 'And we say so, and we know so' emphasize the sailors' acceptance of the harsh realities of life. The suggestion to tan the horse's hide if it dies and to ride it again if it survives highlights the pragmatic and resourceful nature of sailors, who had to make the most of their limited resources.

As the song progresses, the horse's death becomes certain, and the sailors discuss how they will repurpose its remains. The hair of its tail will be used to sew sails, and the iron from its shoes will be made into deck nails. This practical approach to death reflects the sailors' resilience and their ability to find utility even in loss. The final verse, where the horse's body is dropped into the sea for the sharks and its soul is taken by the devil, adds a dark, almost ritualistic closure to the story, underscoring the inevitability of death and the sailors' acceptance of it as part of their harsh reality.

The song captures the essence of life at sea, where every loss is met with a pragmatic response, and every resource is utilized to its fullest. It is a poignant reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness required to survive in such a demanding environment.