Susannes Folksong-Notizen
[1961:] Like so many British occupational songs, this is an invitation to drink. An early collection calls it "A new, merry, melody, shewing the power, the strength, the operation and the virtue that remains in good ale which is accounted the mother of drink in England." Also known as Joan's Ale Is New, When Joan's Ale Was New, The Jovial Tinker, The Jovial Tradesmen. [Under the latter title:] First printed in October, 1594, [it] appeared in a number of popular songsters during the next three centuries and it continues to turn up among folk singers, and leads a vigorous "second existence" in urban folk song clubs. (Peter Kennedy, notes 'Jack of All Trades' - The Folk Songs of Britain, vol 3)
[1967:] [A] robust emotional 'Elizabethan' type of tune [...] (Lloyd, England 161)
[1979:] A combination of good humour with a modicum of social comment seems to have been a successful formula for this ancient convivial song, which can still be occasionally heard from country singers. It was first published, as Jones ale is newe, in 1594, though copies are extant only from the reprint of 1656. There was a further publication, with a tune similar to those still current, in d'Urfey's famous 'Pills to Purge Melancholy' (vol. V, 1719, p. 61), when the tradesmen mentioned were cobbler, broom-man, ragman, pedlar, hatter, tailor, porter, shoemaker and weaver, with the addition of a Dutchman and a Welshman. With considerable variation in its protagonists, the song remained popular throughout the nineteenth century. Richard Jefferies in an early story has a village mason who (appropriately) knows his own verse ('The Midsummer Hum', 1876). (Palmer, Country 194)
[1982:] [A] rather hearty number much sung in folk clubs when the audience is invited to join in, and at first sight seems to belong with the 'real ale' revival. But it first appeared (as Jones's ale) on a broadside of 1579 and seems to have been in circulation ever since. Probably its attraction is its amenability to having extra verses added on. [The] song could go on through all trades and occupations until the singer's stamina or rhyming ability failed. (Pollard, Folksong 33)
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