Bacchus swore to come he would not fail To glut himself with Yorkshire nappy ale. It is so pleasant, mellow too and fine, That Bacchus swore hee’d never more drink wine.
Those who wish to peruse the “Yorkshire Dialogue in its pure natural Dialect” are referred to the British Museum.
In the Roxburghe Collection are nineteen ballads by Lawrence Price, a celebrated writer of the time of Charles I. He wrote chap-books, riddles, and political squibs in rhyme. The following rollicking drinking song is from his pen. Only one copy of it is known to be in existence.
GOOD ALE FOR MY MONEY.
The Good-fellowes resolution of strong Ale, That cures his nose from looking pale.
To the tune of The Countrey Lasse.
Be merry my friends, and list a while unto a merry jest, It may from you produce a smile when you hear it exprest, Of a younge man lately married, which was a boone good fellow, This song in ’s head he alwaies carried, when drinke had made him mellow, I cannot go home, nor I will not go home its long of the oyle of Barly; Ile tarry all night for my delight, and go home in the morning early.
No tapster stout, or Vintner fine quoth he shall euer get One groat out of this purse of mine to pay his master’s debt: Why should I deal with sharking Rookes, that seeke poore gulls to cozen, To giue twelue pence for a quart of wine, of ale ’twill buy a dozen.
’Twill make me sing, I cannot, &c.