All You That Are Good Fellows
A Merry Christmas Carol
Words and Music: English Traditional
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Source: William Henry Husk, Songs of the Nativity (London: John Camden Hotten, 1868)
1. All you that are good fellows,
Come hearken to my song;
I know you do not hate good cheer,
Nor liquor that is strong.
I hope there is none here
But soon will take my part,
Seeing my master and my dame
Say welcome with their heart.
2. This is a time of joyfulness
And merry time of year,
When as the rich with plenty stor'd
Do make the poor good cheer.
Plum porridge, roast beer, and mince pies
Stand smoking on the board,
With other brave varieties
Our master doth afford.
3. Our mistress and her cleanly maids
Have neatly play'd the cooks;
Methinks these dishes eagerly
At my sharp stomach looks,
As though they were afraid
To see me draw my blade;
But I reveng'd on them will be
Until my stomach's stay'd.
4. Come fill us of the strongest,
Small drink is out of date;
Methinks I shall fare like a prince
And sit in gallant state.
This is no miser's feast,
Although that things be deer;
God grant the founder of this feast
Each Christmas keep good cheer.
5. This day for Christ we celebrate,
Who was born at this time;
For which all Christians should rejoice
And I do sing in rhyme.
When you have given thanks
Unto your dainties fall;
Heav'n bless my master and my dame,
Lord bless me and you all.
Sheet Music from William Henry Husk, Songs of the Nativity (London: John Camden Hotten, 1868)
Husk's Note:
This carol originally appeared in a collection of "Good and true, fresh and new, Christmas Carols," printed in black letter "by E. P. for Francis Coles, dwelling in the Old Bailey," in the year 1642, a copy of which is preserved amongst the books of Anthony à Wood [1632-1695], the antiquary, in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
Also found in Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 234. She gives her source as 'New Christmas Carols' (Oxford, no date).
Also found in A. H. Bullen, A Christmas Garland (London: John C. Nimmo, 1885), pp. 192-3, giving the source as "New Christmas Carols."
From William Chappell, The Ballad Literature and Popular Music of the Olden Time. London: Chappell & Co., 1859, pp. 150-1.
I have not found any song or ballad commencing “All you ‘that love good fellows,” although so frequently quoted as a tune; but there are several “All you that are,” and “All you that be good fellows,” which, from similarity of metre, I assume to be intended for the same air.
In a chap-book called “The arraigning and indicting of Sir John Barleycorn, knight; newly composed by a well-wisher to Sir John, and all that love him,” are, two songs, “All you that are good fellows,” and “All you that be good fellows,’ “to the tune of Sir John Barleycorn, or Jack of all Trades.” Lowndes speaks of this tract as printed for T. Passenger in 1675, and of the author as Thomas Robins; but there are Aldermary and Bow Church-yard editions of later date.
Another “All you that are good fellows” is here printed to the shorter copy of the tune It is from a little black-letter volume (in Wood’s library, Ashmolean Museum) entitled “Good and true, fresh and new Christmas Carols,” &c., printed by E. P. for Francis Coles, dwelling in the Old Bailey, 1642. It is one of the merry Christmas carols, and to be sung to the tune of "All you that are good fellows."
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This is a time of joyfulness,
And merry time of year,
When as the rich with plenty stor’d
Do make the poor good cheer.
Plum-porridge, roast beef, and mined pies,
Stand smoking on the board;
With other brave varieties,
Our master doth afford.Our mistress and her cleanly maids
Have neatly play’d the cooks;
Methinks these dishes eagerly
At my sharp stomach looks,
As though they were afraid
To see me draw my blade;
But I revenged on them will be,
Until my stomach’s stay’d.Come fill us of the strongest,
Small drink is out of date;
Methinks I shall fare like a prince,
And sit in gallant state
This is no miser’s feast,
Although that things be dear;
God grant the founder of this feast
Each Christmas keep good cheer.This day for Christ we celebrate,
Who was born at this time;
For which all Christians should rejoice,
And I do sing in rhyme.
When you have given thanks,
Unto your dainties fall,
Heav’n bless my master and my dame,
Lord bless me, and you all.
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William Henry Husk, Songs of the Nativity All You That Are Good Fellows - Husk William Chappell, The Ballad Literature and Popular Music of the Olden Time All You That Are Good Fellows - Chappell
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Editor's Note:
This song appears in most of the older compilations that I've seen, and with many variations. The original song was not a Christmas song, but one about "Sir John Barleycorn" (whose brother was "Master Malt"). This text and accompanying note is from Joseph Woodfall Ebsworth, ed., The Roxburghe Ballads. Vol. VII. Part I. (Hertford: Stephen Austin and Sons, 1890), p. 588:
"All you that be Good Fellows, come listen unto me,
It that you keep the Ale-house and merry company,
Attend unto my story, which I (ear is too true ;
It makes my heart full sorry, and many doth it rue.
" 'Tis of a gallant noble Knight, which many know full well,
An honest man, I witness can, if I the truth may tell ;
His name is Sir John Barley-corn, which makes both beer and bread :
"What would all do, that now are born, if Barley-corn was dead ? etc.
" For as I abroad did walk, I heard a piteous cry,
And many a Man did talk, that Barley-corn must dye.
His enemies increase so fast, at Board and eke at Bed,
I fear their Malice will not cease till they've cut off his head.
" Smuq, the honest Blacksmith, doth make a piteous cry ; [ al. lect. Smut.
And Nick, the nimble Taylor, doth vow that he shall dye.
And Will the Weaver doth complain, with many a Trades-man more;
I hope their labour is in vain, therefore they may give o'er.
" Yet now a little while give ear, you that are standers-by ;
And [sure] you presently shall hear Sir John condemn'd to dye.
All you that love poor Barley-corn, a good word for him give ;
And he that speaks against him, I wish he may not live." -- Tho. Robins.
The narrative is continued in prose. We need not here (on this
side-issue) record the many versions that are extant, including one by Robert
Burns, and others we have heard sung, thirty years ago, in the East-Riding of
Yorkshire; merely noting that the personal defence of Sir John, in answer to the
Indictment, begins thus, -- "All you that are good Fellows, come listen unto me
; if that you love the Ale-house, and keep good company ; My name is Sir John
Barleycorn, which many know full well ; My Brother's name is Master Malt,
as many a one can tell," etc. Compare the ballads of " The Little Barleycorn "
and " Mas. Mault is a Gentleman," in Roxb. Ballads, vol. ii. pp. 28, 379.
Also, a Christmas Carol, from Wood's Ashmolean Collection, of Good and true,
fresh and new, Christmas Carols, dated 1642, reprinted in Popular Music
of the Olden Time, p. 151, and beginning, "All you that are good fellows,
come hearken to my Song." Five eight-line stanzas.
*** The Bodleian (Press-Mark, "Wood, 110) has 'The Examination and Tryall of Old
Father Christmas, at the Assizes held at the toun of Difference,
in the county of Discontent. " Written according to Legal Proceedings. By
Josiah King.' London : Printed for Thomas Johnson, at the sign of
the Golden Key, in Paul's Churchyard, 1658. [In prose, with good
copperplate frontispiece.] There is also another by the same author, and of same
date, ' The Afternoon Tryall of Old Father Christmas,' etc. In prose, with a
short song, somewhat heathenish, composed for the festive, more than for the
sacred season : --
" Let us eat, drink, and play, and freely enjoy
Whatsoever our natures desire ;
"Whilst we live on the Earth, let our hearts stew in Mirth,
Sweetly over Concupiscence' fire. "
See: The Examination and Tryal of Old Father Christmas
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