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The Leather Bottel |
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THE LEATHER BOTTEL1
God above who rules all things, Monks, and abbots, and beggars and kings, The ships that on the sea do swim, The earth and all that is therein. Not forgetting the old cow's hide ; And everything else in the world beside ; For when we've said and done all we can, 'Tis all for the good and use of man. So I hope his soul in heaven may dwell, That first devised the leather bottel.
Now what do you say to these cans of wood ? Oh no, in faith, they cannot be good; For if the bearer fall by the way, Why on the ground your liquor doth lay; But had it been a leather bottel, Although he had fallen, all had been well. So I hope his soul, etc.
What say ye to these glasses fine ? Faith ! they shall have no praise of mine ; For if you touch your glass on the brim, The liquor falls out and leaves none therein,
1 There are several versions of this fine song, first published as a broadside in the seventeenth century (see " Chappell's Collection," " Roxburghe Ballads," " Pills to Purge Melancholy," etc.), but the one I give here is a composite of all.
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