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Frank Jones Brewery Song
Circa 1880

Editor’s Note: Discovered in 1999, this delicate one-page manuscript was transcribed by Mike O'Keefe exclusively for SeacoastNH.com. In fact, we’ve never seen another one. The tune remains unknown, but sing it to the melody of the popular "MacNamara's Band" and you will capture the feeling.

Come all you Jolly Sportsmen and listen to a song,
I will sing to you a verse or two I won't detain you long,
Concerning Jones' Brewery, indeed it look so neat,
The like of it you'll never find in any other state,

'Chorus'
Hurrah for Jones' brewery, may it never fail
Brew us beer and porter and beautiful stock ale,
That's the stuff for me, my boys, it drives away all pain,
Whenever I can get a glass of it I'll have it just the same.

It is a splendid building, as we all well know,
The like of it you'll never find, no matter where you go,
It is so well constructed, kept so neat and clean,
The mash floor and the cellar and the tun room just the same

Brewers they are so clever in brewing this splendid beer,
Jones golden cream ale, called for far and near,
Drank in Philadelphia and in the State of Maine,
In New York and Boston is called for just the same.

If you go cellar, what a splendid sight,
You'll see a staff of hearty young fellows, full of mirth and glee,
Chiming up the barrels, just like any train,
Racking, or rolling out, or shipping, just the same.

There you'll see Yankee Denny with his beautiful big nose,
Placing the barrels so neatly into rows,
If you never knew him or heard of his name,
You'll know him by his bawling and hollering, just the same.

There you'll see Paddy Holoran, he is just like any bull,
No matter where you'll find him, he is sure to be full,
If he don't get it at the cupboard, he cannot be blamed,
He will have it out of Jerry, or the rack tub, just the same.

I went to the hall the other night, there I did behold,
A house full of fine democrats, both noble, stout and bold,
Going to fight the republicans and uphold the country's fame.
Republicans and democrats will drink it just the same.

It's there I noticed Mr. Jones among the noble throng,
He is always agitating for the cause of the working man.
As for this coming election, he need not be afraid,
I hope I'll see him governor of this New Hampshire State.

All these oily druggists boast of their little pills,
And they say they can cure all diseases from the toothache to the "jims."
What are they to Jones' ale? I am sure it is quite plain,
When all these pills and drugs do fail, it will cure you just the same.

Now to conclude and finish, I am feeling a little dry,
I sung to you a verse or two all without a lie,
If you take me to the bar I am sure you'll get no blame,
And give Paddy a schooner of it, he will have it just the same.

Yours truly,
P RYAN