Why do we say "Face the Music"?

Meaning:

To face the consequences of one's actions.

Background:

There are a few different possibilities for the origin of the idiom “face the music,” none of them definitive.

Perhaps the least convincing explanation stems from a practice in the Church of England. From about 1700 to 1850, it was common for musicians to be positioned in a gallery on the west end of the church. The chorus or orchestra was made up of the peasantry, who weren't allowed to sit in the parts of the church reserved for the nobles. The music, which became known as West Gallery music, was generally written for amateurs and was, at times, critical of the upper classes. A few individuals consequently believe the term “face the music” referred to nobles who were forced to listen to the lower class’s disparagement.

A better possibility is that the phrase is military in origin, and comes from the practice of “drumming out” a soldier — a formal way of dishonorably discharging someone. The ritual began in the British army during the 17th century, but was adopted in America soon after. Traditionally, the person accused of a crime (and it could be any number of things) had his head shaved, the insignia and buttons removed from his uniform coat, and a sign hung around his neck indicating his infraction. He would then be marched between two columns of his compatriots while the tune “Rogue's March” was played — frequently on the fife and drum (hence “drumming out”). Many theorize, therefore, that “face the music” referred to a soldier facing the consequences of his actions.

Finally, many authorities believe the phrase came from the theater during the late 18th or early 19th century. Then, as now, musicians would be positioned below the stage, between it and the audience, in what is known as “the pit.” Actors would therefore have to face the orchestra — face the music — when performing.

Unfortunately, there’s no indication of who may have coined the idiom in the first place or when it became associated with facing the consequences of one’s actions. It’s believed the phrase is American in origin. The earliest known citation in print is from The New Hampshire Statesman & State Journal, August 1834:

“Will the editor of the Courier explain this black affair. We want no equivocation — ‘face the music’ this time.”

Almost all other early uses are from the USA as well.

The phrase “face the music” has appeared many times in popular culture. It was the title of an Irving Berlin musical that opened on Broadway in 1932. It ran for 165 performances before going on tour and has been revived as recently as 2007. Let’s Face the Music and Dance — a song also by Irving Berlin — became an iconic routine featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; the tune was subsequently a hit record for artists such as Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. Additionally, Face the Music was the name of a long-running British game show (1967-1984) along the lines of Name That Tune (the US version was much less successful, only airing for one season).

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