“Bring Us Good Ale”

Description

The singer, "for our blessed Lady's sake," demands that the server "Bring us in good ale." Other foods are rejected (e.g. "Bring us in no brown bread, for that is made of bran, And bring us in no white bread, for therein is no gain.")

Notes

This is another song that cannot be demonstrated to have circulated in oral tradition. Its prevalence in the printed collections (starting with Ritson), however, argues for its inclusion here -- especially as there are two distinct Middle English texts. - RBW

References

1. Stevick-100MEL 82, "(Bryng Us in Good Ale)" (1 text)
2. Chappell/Wooldridge I, pp. 30-31, "Nowell, Nowell" (1 tune, with a fragment of this text appended)
3. DT, BRINGALE*
4. ADDITIONAL: Walter de la Mare, _Come Hither_, revised edition, 1928; #72, "Bring Us In Good Ale" (1 text)
5. Brown/Robbins, _Index of Middle English Verse_, #549
6. BI, MEL82