Martha - Real English Ale

Plunkett sings the praises of English Ale with his drinking companions at the pub.

PLUNKETT: Say, if you can, Sir, what is the answer?
Why do the British always beat their foes in battle? Why?
Here's why, says I, ...the reason's clear,
Foreigners don't drink English beer!
It's ale and stout that gives them the clout to knock them about, and put them to rout!
True!
In France they only drink wine, en masse,
and German beer is all froth and gas
Thank God for the real English ale in our glass.
Thank God!
What makes our yeomen much better bow men?
Why are we rougher, braver, tougher than most Frenchmen are?
All English soldiers worth their salt
prove they were weaned on hops and malt.
Whenever they fight, they always prevail!
All they need is a bow and a hogshead of ale!
True!
Wine's fine for those who eat frogs and slugs,
And lager beer's for barbarian thugs!
Thank God for the real English ale in our jugs.
No beer or wine is half so fine as English ale!
This isle is blest with all that's best -
Real English ale!
Thank God!

words © Tom Boyd

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bel
• canto
• opera
• martha
• von
• flotow
• boyd
• plunkett
• stephen
• wells

[peterrunnalls]

Here's a toast to more from Bel Canto Opera!