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Quiz about Tragedy in Songs Part 4 Shipwrecks and Drownings
Quiz about Tragedy in Songs Part 4 Shipwrecks and Drownings

Tragedy in Songs, Part 4: Shipwrecks and Drownings Quiz


Avast, ye scurvy dogs! Can you name these fun songs where someone ends up sleeping with the fishes?

A multiple-choice quiz by czolgolz. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
czolgolz
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
193,276
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
785
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Question 1 of 10
1. Let's start with an odd one. In 'Ode to Billy Joe,' a casual dinner conversation reveals that the singer's secret boyfriend just killed himself. How did Billy Joe McAllister do himself in? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. In another depressing song, the singer's parents forbid him to see his poor girlfriend. She responds by drowning herself 'in that dirty old river.' He ends the song by saying he'll do the same thing. What is the name of both the girl and the song? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. In what morbid song by the Pogues do 'four score and three' drowned sailors return to get revenge on the one who betrayed them? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This song by Gordon Lightfoot deals with a freighter that sunk in the Great Lakes. What song contains the memorable line 'Superior, they said, never gives up her dead'?
Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson (along with Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings) sing a song about a man who's had many incarnations. In one life, he was a sailor who died when he was blown off the mast during a storm. What's the name of this song? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In this classic American folk song, the singer's love drowns while driving her ducklings to the water. Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Johnny Richardson (aka 'The Big Bopper') wrote a very politically incorrect song about two Native American lovers who drown while swimming across a river to meet each other. What was the name of the song? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Merle Haggard sings how his love drowns in a river. What river? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Novelty singer Tom Lehrer sings a weird song about a girl who kills off her entire family. She drowns her father in the creek, and sends her brother off to Davy Jones. Which song is this? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Finally, who sang the song 'Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning?' Hint



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Feb 11 2024 : briarwoodrose: 8/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Let's start with an odd one. In 'Ode to Billy Joe,' a casual dinner conversation reveals that the singer's secret boyfriend just killed himself. How did Billy Joe McAllister do himself in?

Answer: He jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

This is a weird song by Bobbie Gentry that hit the charts in 1967. The singer never reveals her true relationship with Billy Joe, we don't know what sparked his suicide, and there are several unexplained lines. For instance the singer and Billy Joe being seen throwing something off the Tallahatchie Bridge. The song later inspired a movie and has been covered by Sinead O'Conner.
2. In another depressing song, the singer's parents forbid him to see his poor girlfriend. She responds by drowning herself 'in that dirty old river.' He ends the song by saying he'll do the same thing. What is the name of both the girl and the song?

Answer: Patches

'Patches,' by Dickie Lee, 1962. 'Though it may not be right, I'll join you tonight...'
3. In what morbid song by the Pogues do 'four score and three' drowned sailors return to get revenge on the one who betrayed them?

Answer: The Turkish Song of the Damned

From 1988. 'You remember when the ship went down you left me on the deck?/ The captain's corpse jumped up and threw his arms around my neck/ for all these years I've had him on my back/ this debt cannot be paid with all your jack.'
4. This song by Gordon Lightfoot deals with a freighter that sunk in the Great Lakes. What song contains the memorable line 'Superior, they said, never gives up her dead'?

Answer: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

This song is based on a true shipwreck in 1975.
5. Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson (along with Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings) sing a song about a man who's had many incarnations. In one life, he was a sailor who died when he was blown off the mast during a storm. What's the name of this song?

Answer: The Highwayman

This song is by Jimmy Webb.
6. In this classic American folk song, the singer's love drowns while driving her ducklings to the water.

Answer: Clementine

Artist unknown. 'You are lost and gone forever...'
7. Johnny Richardson (aka 'The Big Bopper') wrote a very politically incorrect song about two Native American lovers who drown while swimming across a river to meet each other. What was the name of the song?

Answer: Running Bear

This was recorded by Johnny Preston. It made the charts in the 60's. 'As their hands touched, and their lips met/ the raging river pulled them down/ now they'll always be together/ in the Happy Hunting Ground.' This was followed by a bunch of war cries.
8. Merle Haggard sings how his love drowns in a river. What river?

Answer: Kern River

1985. 'I'll never swim Kern River again.' BTW, did you know that Merle Haggard once went to prison for burglary? He was so drunk he didn't know the bar he was robbing was still open.
9. Novelty singer Tom Lehrer sings a weird song about a girl who kills off her entire family. She drowns her father in the creek, and sends her brother off to Davy Jones. Which song is this?

Answer: The Irish Ballad

'My tragic tale I won't prolong/ and if you did not enjoy my song/ you've yourselves to blame if it's too long/ you should never have let me begin.'
10. Finally, who sang the song 'Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning?'

Answer: Morrissey

Thanks for playing and keep your life vest handy!
Source: Author czolgolz

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