Digital Tradition Mirror

Bring Us Good Ale

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Bring Us Good Ale

Chorus:
     Bring us in good ale, good ale, and bring us in good ale,
     For our blessed Lady's sake, bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no brown bread, for that is made of bran,
Nor bring us in no white bread, for therein is no grain,
    But bring, etc.

Bring us in no beef, for there is many bones,
But bring us in good ale, for that go'th down at once.
    And bring, etc.

Bring us in no bacon, for that is passing fat,
But bring us in good ale, and give us enough of that.
     And bring, etc.

Bring us in no mutton, for that is passing lean,
Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clean.
     But bring, etc.

Bring us in no eggs, for there are many shells,
But bring us in good ale, and give us nothing else.
     But bring, etc.

Bring us in no butter, for therein are many hairs,
Nor bring us in no pig's flesh for that will make us bears.
     But bring, etc.

Bring us in no puddings, for therein is all God's good,
Nor bring us in no venison, that is not for our blood.
     But bring, etc.

Bring us in no capon's flesh, for that is often dear,
Nor bring us in no duck's flesh, for they slobber in the mere (mire)
     But bring, etc.

From Chapell, Popular Music of the Olden Time
Song from about 1460.
Recorded by Hart & Prior on Summer Solstice
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!