Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, JOLLY GOOD ALE AND OLD, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JOLLY GOOD ALE AND OLD, by                    
First Line: "back and side go bare, go bare"
Last Line: Whether they be young or old
Subject(s): Alcohol & Alcoholics;beer;drinks & Drinking; Ale


Back and side go bare, go bare,
Both hand and foot go cold,
But belly, God sent thee good ale enough
Whether it be new or old!

But if that I may have truly
Good ale my belly full,
I shall look like one, by sweet Saint John,
Were shorn against the wool.
Though I go bare, take ye no care,
I am nothing cold,
I stuff my skin so full within
Of jolly good ale and old.

I cannot eat but little meat,
My stomach is not good;
But sure I think that I could drink
With him that weareth an hood.
Drink is my life; although my wife
Some time do chide and scold,
Yet spare I not to ply the pot
Of jolly good ale and old.

I love no roast but a brown toast,
Or a crab in the fire;
A little bread shall do me stead;
Much bread I never desire.
Nor frost, nor snow, nor wind I trow,
Can hurt me if it wold,
I am so wrapped within and lapped
With jolly good ale and old.

I care right nought, I take no thought
For clothes to keep me warm;
Have I good drink, I surely think
Nothing can do me harm.
For truly than I fear no man,
Be he never so bold,
When I am armed and thoroughly warmed
With jolly good ale and old.

But now and than I curse and ban,
They make their ale so small;
God give them care and evil to fare!
They stry the malt and all.
Such peevish pew, I tell you true,
Nor for a crown of gold
There cometh one sip within my lip,
Whether it be new or old.

Good ale and strong maketh me among
Full jocund and full light,
That oft I sleep and take no keep
From morning until night.
Then start I up and flee to the cup;
The right way on I hold;
My thirst to staunch, I fill my paunch
With jolly good ale and old.

And Kit, my wife, that as her life
Loveth well good ale to seek,
Full oft drinketh she, that ye may see
The tears run down her cheek.
Then doth she troll to me the bowl,
As a good malt-worm shold,
And say "Sweet-heart, I have take my part
Of jolly good ale and old."

They that do drink till they nod and wink,
Even as good fellows should do,
They shall not miss to have the bliss
That good ale hath brought them to.
And all poor souls that scour black bowls,
And them hath lustily trolled,
God save the lives of them and their wives,
Whether they be young or old!





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