Little Brown Jug

AKAHa Ha Ha, Hee Hee Hee
First Published1867

Writer/composerRoudRN725

Music Hall PerformersJolly John Nash
Folk performancesCollected from the singing of over 80 traditional singers, including: 1 from Australia, 7 from Canada, 11 from England, 3 from Ireland and 56 from the USA

Modern performances: too many to list here!
Me and my wife live all alone
In a little log hut we call our own;
She loves gin and I love rum,
Tell you what it is don't we have fun!

Ha, ha, ha, you and me,
Little brown jug, don't I love thee!
Ha, ha, ha, you and me,
Little brown jug, don't I love thee!

If I'd a cow that gave such milk,
I'd dress her in the finest silk;
Feed her on the choicest hay,
And milk her twenty times a day.

'Tis you that makes me friends and foes,
'Tis you that makes me wear old clothes;
But, seeing you're so near my nose,
"Tip her up and down she goes."

When I go toiling on my farm
Take the little brown jug under my arm;
Sit it under some shady tree,
Little brown jug, 'tis you and me.

Then came the landlord tripping in 
Round top hat and a peaked chin, 
In his hands he carried a cup, 
Says I old fellow give us a sup.

If all the folks in Adam's race
Were put together in one place,
Then I'd prepare to drop a tear  
Before I'd part from you, my dear.

Described by Thomas Hischak as “one of the earliest and most popular drinking songs in American Popular Music”. It was written by Philadelphia music publisher Joseph Winner – under the pen name of “RA Eastburn” so as not to damage his reputation .

In Britain the song was first popularised by Jolly John Nash, who introduced it into his repertoire in the early 1870s. Nash’s brief biography appears below.

The song remained popular until the mid-20th century with versions by Billy May, Bing Crosby, Glen Miller and many others.

Given its widespread popularity is perhaps not surprising that it has been found in the repertoire of 80 or more traditional singers – particularly in America, but throughout the English-speaking world.

“Jolly” John Nash (1830-1901) was arguably the first laughing comedian, specialising in songs that involved laughter and drinking. He began life working in the ironworks of the Forest of Dean whilst appearing as an amateur in smoking concerts and free-and-easies. He turned professional sometime in the late 1850s. According to Herman Finck, the theatre musical director, Nash would come on stage laughing and sing laughing songs… He would laugh far more than the audience did … For a time he regularly performed for the Prince of Wales at private parties. He toured America in 1874 and 1886.

Some nice whistling here:

Sources:

Last Updated on December 12, 2024 by John Baxter | Published: December 12, 2024

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