Dead Man's Chest
Encyclopedia
"Dead Man's Chest" is a fictional sea-song originally from Robert Louis Stevenson
's novel Treasure Island
(1883). It was expanded in a poem, titled Derelict by Young E. Allison
, published in the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1891. It has since been used in many later works of art in various forms.
in reference to the Dead Chest Island
in the British Virgin Islands
. As Stevenson once said, "Treasure Island came out of Kingsley's At Last: A Christmas in the West Indies (1871); where I got the 'Dead Man's Chest' - that was the seed" That is, Stevenson saw the three words "Dead Man's Chest" in Kingsley's book among a list of names, germinating in Stevenson's mind it was the "seed" which then grew into the novel.
In Treasure Island Stevenson only wrote the chorus, leaving the remainder of the song unwritten, and to the reader's imagination:
Another lyric in the novel, near its end, is also included in the Allison poem: "But one man of her crew alive, What put to sea with seventy-five;" Stevenson does not make clear if this lyric is part of Dead Man's Chest or another fictional song entirely. Regardless, the words of the lyric help advance the storyline.
Other variations of the poem were printed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that claimed to be folklore
, but in reality were nothing more than new extensions from Stevenson's original. One appeared in the Chicago Times-Herald named "Stevenson's Sailor Song" by an anonymous author, who claimed to hear it being sung on the "wharfs of Chicago" by a group of "old time sailors", who when asked where they learned it, replied 'We never learned it nowhere, we allers knowed it.' The story was meant as a hoax but some took it seriously. Another appeared in print as "Billy Bones's Fancy", supposedly pieced together from various "fragments", suggesting an antiquated origin, but in fact it was an adaptation of the Times-Herald piece. As Stevenson's stepson Osbourne once said, "'Fifteen-Men' was wholly original with Stevenson," and as Stevenson himself said, the book At Last by Kingsley was "the seed" of his invention.
The song has been widely used in the arts for over a century. In 1901 music was added to the lyrics of "Derelict" for a Broadway
rendition of Treasure Island. In 1967 writers for the Walt Disney
film company found inspiration in "Derelict" for the sea-song "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)
" which was played in the "Pirates of the Caribbean
" theme ride at Disneyland. Astrid Lindgren
expanded Stevenson's couplet differently in the script for the 1969 Pippi Longstocking TV series; the two resulting verses were sung to a West Indian sea shanty. In the 1978 film Revenge of the Pink Panther
, Chief Inspector Clouseau, disguised as a "salty Swedish seadog," sings a mangled version of the song. Alan Moore
made a play on the song in the 1986 graphic novel
Watchmen
, the chapter is called "One man on fifteen dead men's chests." In 1993 the contemporary "pirate" vocal group The Jolly Rogers
recorded Mark Stahl's arrangement of Young E. Allison's lyrics, re-released in 1997 on their CD titled "Pirate Gold".
In German, the song is known as "17 Mann auf des toten Manns Kiste", so it mentions 2 more men. Likewise in the Hungarian translation of Treasure Island the phrase is "seven (men) on a dead man's chest"; apparently this number provided the closest effect to the original regarding rhyme and syllables.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
's novel Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
(1883). It was expanded in a poem, titled Derelict by Young E. Allison
Young E. Allison
Young Ewing Allison was an American writer and newspaper editor.Born in Henderson, Kentucky, Allison was partially deaf from an early age and became a voracious reader. By the age of fifteen he was working as an editor for the Henderson News; in 1873, he moved to Evansville, Indiana, where he...
, published in the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1891. It has since been used in many later works of art in various forms.
Background
Stevenson found the name "Dead Man's Chest" among a list of island names in a book by Charles KingsleyCharles Kingsley
Charles Kingsley was an English priest of the Church of England, university professor, historian and novelist, particularly associated with the West Country and northeast Hampshire.-Life and character:...
in reference to the Dead Chest Island
Dead Chest Island, British Virgin Islands
Dead Chest is little more than a large rock outcropping located just under one half mile north east of Deadman's Bay on Peter Island, British Virgin Islands. It is uninhabited, has no fresh water or trees and only sparse vegetation...
in the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S...
. As Stevenson once said, "Treasure Island came out of Kingsley's At Last: A Christmas in the West Indies (1871); where I got the 'Dead Man's Chest' - that was the seed" That is, Stevenson saw the three words "Dead Man's Chest" in Kingsley's book among a list of names, germinating in Stevenson's mind it was the "seed" which then grew into the novel.
In Treasure Island Stevenson only wrote the chorus, leaving the remainder of the song unwritten, and to the reader's imagination:
Another lyric in the novel, near its end, is also included in the Allison poem: "But one man of her crew alive, What put to sea with seventy-five;" Stevenson does not make clear if this lyric is part of Dead Man's Chest or another fictional song entirely. Regardless, the words of the lyric help advance the storyline.
Other variations of the poem were printed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that claimed to be folklore
Fakelore
Fakelore or Pseudo-folklore is inauthentic, manufactured folklore presented as if it were genuinely traditional. The term can refer to new stories or songs made up, or to folklore that is reworked and modified for modern tastes...
, but in reality were nothing more than new extensions from Stevenson's original. One appeared in the Chicago Times-Herald named "Stevenson's Sailor Song" by an anonymous author, who claimed to hear it being sung on the "wharfs of Chicago" by a group of "old time sailors", who when asked where they learned it, replied 'We never learned it nowhere, we allers knowed it.' The story was meant as a hoax but some took it seriously. Another appeared in print as "Billy Bones's Fancy", supposedly pieced together from various "fragments", suggesting an antiquated origin, but in fact it was an adaptation of the Times-Herald piece. As Stevenson's stepson Osbourne once said, "'Fifteen-Men' was wholly original with Stevenson," and as Stevenson himself said, the book At Last by Kingsley was "the seed" of his invention.
The song has been widely used in the arts for over a century. In 1901 music was added to the lyrics of "Derelict" for a Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
rendition of Treasure Island. In 1967 writers for the Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
film company found inspiration in "Derelict" for the sea-song "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)
Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)
"Yo Ho " is the theme song for the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions at Disney theme parks. The music was written by George Bruns with lyrics by Xavier Atencio...
" which was played in the "Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a multi-billion dollar Walt Disney franchise encompassing a series of films, a theme park ride, and spinoff novels as well as numerous video games and other publications. The franchise originates with the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which opened at Disneyland in...
" theme ride at Disneyland. Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren , 14 November 1907 – 28 January 2002) was a Swedish author and screenwriter who is the world's 25th most translated author and has sold roughly 145 million copies worldwide...
expanded Stevenson's couplet differently in the script for the 1969 Pippi Longstocking TV series; the two resulting verses were sung to a West Indian sea shanty. In the 1978 film Revenge of the Pink Panther
Revenge of the Pink Panther
Revenge of the Pink Panther is the sixth film in the Pink Panther film series. Released in 1978, Revenge of was the last entry featuring series star Peter Sellers, who died in 1980...
, Chief Inspector Clouseau, disguised as a "salty Swedish seadog," sings a mangled version of the song. Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
made a play on the song in the 1986 graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
Watchmen
Watchmen
Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. The series was published by DC Comics during 1986 and 1987, and has been subsequently reprinted in collected form...
, the chapter is called "One man on fifteen dead men's chests." In 1993 the contemporary "pirate" vocal group The Jolly Rogers
The Jolly Rogers
The Jolly Rogers are a pirate-themed Renaissance folk group who perform at Renaissance fairs in the Midwest United States. Their high-energy performances of traditional sea shanties, humorous songs and improvisational comedy skits are big crowd pleasers wherever they go...
recorded Mark Stahl's arrangement of Young E. Allison's lyrics, re-released in 1997 on their CD titled "Pirate Gold".
In German, the song is known as "17 Mann auf des toten Manns Kiste", so it mentions 2 more men. Likewise in the Hungarian translation of Treasure Island the phrase is "seven (men) on a dead man's chest"; apparently this number provided the closest effect to the original regarding rhyme and syllables.
External links
- Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest, at Everything2Everything2Everything2, Everything2, or E2 for short is a collaborative Web-based community consisting of a database of interlinked user-submitted written material. E2 is moderated for quality, but has no formal policy on subject matter...