Ravenscroft Songbook: Wee be souldiers three

This page is part of the Ravenscroft Songbook.

Source: Thomas Ravenscroft's Deuteromelia # 3 (1609)

This cute little drinking song features a broken French phrase meaning, roughly, "Excuse me, but I don't have any money." Pronounce it anyway you like: the English were well known for butchering French pronunciation.

mp3 facsimile

2. Here Good fellow I drinke to thee,
Pardona moy ie vous on pree:
To all good Fellowes were euer they be,
with neuer a penny of mony.

3. And he that will not pledge me this,
Pardona moy ie vous an pree:
Payes for the shot what euer it is,
with neuer a penny of mony.

4. Charge it againe boy, charge it againe,
Pardona moy ie vous an pree:
As long as there is any incke in thy pen
with neuer a penny of mony.

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Greg Lindahl