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A Tankard of Ale |
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the second of these refusals, which is that Mr. Dobson is a water-drinker of many years standing !
There are some good American drinking songs, but a Prohibitionist nation does not deserve to be represented in the jolliest book in the world.
III
Songs of any sort are the best of indications of the national spirit, and consequently the safest guide to history. Especially is this true of English drinking songs wherein are to be found all the good-humour and pugnacity of our race.
" Our ports like our hearts shall be open and free ; We scorn for to fly or entrench : Take your liquor, my bucks, take your liquor with glee; Down with that and then down with the-French "
is the right note.
In many of our drinking songs, moreover, we are not content with merely calling for the destruction of the French, but for French wines, and even of any drinks which do not happen to be our favourite tipple. The traditional English exclusiveness only too often wrecks the broad catholic spirit of:
" Then let us be merry, wash sorrow away ! Wine, beer and ale shall be drunk to-day."
The beer-drinker instead will thirst for the blood of the wine-bibber and vice versa :
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