Question about the melody for Bring us in Good Ale. Chappell Vol I p 42 gives a melody of six phrases, while the lyrics have two phrases per verse plus two phrases per chorus. On the Summer Solstice LP, Maddy Prior sings the verses to the third and fourth phrases of Chappell's melody, the chorus to the fifth and sixth phrases, and omits the first two phrases entirely. Do other performers do the same thing? Are there examples of a performer using all six phrases of Chappell's melody? Thanks for any light to be shed.

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Thread #66419   Message #1240921
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
05-Aug-04 - 07:01 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Oh Good Ale Thou Art My Darling
Subject: Lyr Add: CHRISTMAS CAROL (GOOD ALE) (from Chappell

Lyr. Add: CHRISTMAS CAROL (Good Ale)

The burden or chorus:
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell *[Nowell, nowell, nowell all]
This is the salutation of the angel Gabriel.
Tidings true there be come new, sent from the Trinity,
By Gabriel to Nazareth, city of Galilee:
A clean maiden and pure virgin, Through her humility
Hath conceived the person second in Deity.

Bring us in good ale, 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 therein is no gain.
But bring us in good ale, good ale, And bring us in good ale.
For our blessed Lady's sake, Bring us in good ale.

About 1460, from William Chappell, The Ballad Literature and Popular Music of the Olden Time, vol. 1, p. 42 (Dover reprint), with music, section on English minstrelsy.
* [] May be omitted at pleasure; "added, because there would not otherwise be music enough for the "Wassail Song."