Good Ale
by John Rutter

​Good Ale is a spirited choral drinking song composed by John Rutter as part of his 1975 choral cycle, When Icicles Hang. The song uses a 15th-century text that humorously rejects various foods in favor of ale.

LYRICS
Bring us in good ale, and bring us in good ale;
For our blessed Lady’s sake, bring us in good ale.
 
Bring us in no brown bread, for that is made of bran,
Nor bring us in no white bread, for there-in is no game,
But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no beef, for there is many bones,
But bring us in good ale, for that go’th down at once,
And bring us in good ale.
 
Bring us in no bacon, for that is passing fat,
But bring us in good ale, and give us enough of that,
And bring us in good ale.
 
Bring us in no mutton, for that is often lean,
Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clean,
But bring us in good ale.
 
Bring us in no eggs, for there are many shells,
But bring us in good ale, and give us nothing else,
And bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no puddings, for there-in is all goat’s blood;
Nor bring us in no venison, for that is not for our good:
But bring us in good ale.
 
Bring us in no capon’s flesh, for that is often dear,
Nor bring us in no duck’s flesh, for they slobber in the mere,
But bring us in good ale!