2.—Ale to Back us

Air: "The Brave Old Oaks"

Now seize ye the cup and tip it up.
And drain it good and dry;
Nor seek ye to stop while remains a drop,
For to-morrow we may die;
But while we have breath we'll mock at old death,
And while we have wine will we sing;
So fill, merry men, fill, till all again,
Let us shout till the welkin ring.

Then let us drink, while drink we may—
Who knows what may fall to-morrow
And let us sing till the dawn is grey,
And say good-bye to sorrow.

Then here's to the ale, be it dark or pale,
That is brewed for deeply quaffing;
page 17 And there's naught so fine as a draught of wine
To set you merrily laughing;
For life's a jade, and her heart is made
Of flint, so we'll forget her;
We'll drink to-night till the sun springs bright,
And we'll soon cease to regret her.
(Chorus)