Toss the Pot

From Thomas Ravenscroft's A Briefe discourse, 1614, no.11
This lighthearted drinking song celebrating the pleasures of good drink and fellowship reveals the important role the alehouse played in English community life.

Chorus
Tosse the pot tosse the pot, let us be merry,
And drinke till out cheeks be as red as a Cherry.

Verse
1. We take no thought we have no care,
Still we spend and never spare,
Till all of money our purse is bare,
We ever tosse the pot.

Chorus
Tosse the pot tosse the pot, let us be merry,
And drinke till out cheeks be as red as a Cherry.

2. We drinke Carouse with hart most free,
A hearty draught I drink to thee;
Then fill the pot againe to me,
and ever tosse the pot.

Chorus
Tosse the pot tosse the pot, let us be merry,
And drinke till out cheeks be as red as a Cherry.

3. And when our money is all spent,
Then sell our goods and spend our rent,
Or drinke it up with one consent,
and ever tosse the pot.

Chorus
Tosse the pot tosse the pot, let us be merry,
And drinke till out cheeks be as red as a Cherry.

4. When all is gone we have no more,
Then let us set it on the score,
Or chalk it up behinde the door
and ever tosse the pot.

Chorus
Tosse the pot tosse the pot, let us be merry,
And drinke till out cheeks be as red as a Cherry.

5. And when our credit is all lost,
Then many we go and kisse the post,
And eat Browne bread insteed of rost,
and ever tosse the pot.

Chorus
Tosse the pot tosse the pot, let us be merry,
And drinke till out cheeks be as red as a Cherry.

6. Let us conclude as we began,
And tosse the pot from man to man,
And drinke as much now as we can
and ever tosse the pot.

Chorus
Tosse the pot tosse the pot, let us be merry,
And drinke till out cheeks be as red as a Cherry.