| |
| I CANNOT eat but little meat,— | |
| My stomach is not good; | |
| But, sure, I think that I can drink | |
| With him that wears a hood. | |
| Though I go bare, take ye no care; | 5 |
| I nothing am a-cold,— | |
| I stuff my skin so full within | |
| Of jolly good ale and old. | |
| Back and side go bare, go bare; | |
| Both foot and hand go cold; | 10 |
| But, belly, God send thee good ale enough, | |
| Whether it be new or old! | |
| |
| I love no roast but a nut-brown toast, | |
| And a crab laid in the fire; | |
| A little bread shall do me stead,— | 15 |
| Much bread I not desire. | |
| No frost, nor snow, nor wind, I trow, | |
| Can hurt me if I wold,— | |
| I am so wrapt, and thorowly lapt | |
Of jolly good ale and old.
Back and side, etc. | 20 |
| |
| And Tyb, my wife, that as her life | |
| Loveth well good ale to seek, | |
| Full oft drinks she, till you may see | |
| The tears run down her cheek; | |
| Then doth she trowl to me the bowl, | 25 |
| Even as a malt-worm should; | |
| And saith, “Sweetheart, I took my part | |
Of this jolly good ale and old.”
Back and side, etc. | |
| |
| Now let them drink till they nod and wink, | |
| Even as good fellows should do; | 30 |
| They shall not miss to have the bliss | |
| Good ale doth bring men to; | |
| And all poor souls that have scoured bowls, | |
| Or have them lustily trowled, | |
| God save the lives of them and their wives, | 35 |
| Whether they be young or old! | |
| Back and side go bare, go bare; | |
| Both foot and hand go cold; | |
| But, belly, God send thee good ale enough, | |
| Whether it be new or old! | 40 |
| |
