Nottingham Ale, also known as Newcastle Ale, was published by William Chappell in his Popular Music of the Olden Times. The tune is attributed to Heny Purcell and is known for its use in the 1690s for the Irish political satire, Lilliburlero, as well as for country dances. We sing it here as Newman's Ale; in concert we tend to use the name of any local microbrew.
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When Venus, the goddess of beauty and love
Arose from the froth that swam on the sea
Minerva sprang out of the cranium of Jove
A coy, sullen dame as most mortals agree
But Bacchus, they tell us, that prince of good fellows
Was Jupiter's son, pray attend to my tale
They who thus chatter mistake quite the matter
He sprang from a barrel of Newman's Ale:
Newman's Ale, boys, Newman's Ale
He sprang from a barrel of Newman's Ale
Newman's Ale, boys, Newman's Ale
No liquor on earth like Newman's Ale.
You bishops and curates, priests, deacons and vicars
When once you have tasted, you'll own it is true
That Nottingham Ale is the best of all liquors
And none understand what is good like to you
It dispels every vapor, saves pen, ink and paper
For when you've a mind in your pulpit to rail
Open your throats, you may preach without notes
When inspired with a bumper of Newman's Ale:
Newman's Ale, boys, Newman's Ale
Inspired with a bumper of Newman's Ale
Newman's Ale, boys, Newman's Ale
No liquor on earth like Newman's Ale.
And you doctors, who more execution have done
With powder and potion and bolus and pill
Than hangman with halter, soldier with gun
Miser with famine or lawyer with quill
To dispatch us the quicker, you forbid us malt liquor
Till our bodies grow thin and our faces grow pale
Let him mind you, who pleases, what cures all diseases
A comforting glass of good Newman's Ale:
Newman's Ale, boys, Newman's Ale
A comforting glass of good Newman's Ale
Newman's Ale, boys, Newman's Ale
No liquor on earth like Newman's Ale.
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