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15. Come, Come, Let Us Drink - Henry Purcell

We are quite possibly back down at the Swan from the last song as this is a setting of pre-fire City of London attorney Alexander Brome’s poem (he died only months before the great fire). The content remains very relatable to many people today. The focus on grief, sadness, sorrows, worldly care and fear says not only much about the time it was written, but is also relatable to the present time. Chink in this context is referring to coins or money. 

 

“Come, come, let us drink: ’Tis in vain to think Like fools on grief or sadness; Let our money fly, And our sorrows dye: All worldly care is madness. But wine and good cheer Will, in spite of our fear, Inspire our hearts with mirth, boys; The time we live To wine let us give, Since all must turn to earth, boys. Hand about The bowl, the delight of my soul, And to my hand commend it; A fig for chink: ’Twas made to buy drink, And before we go hence we’ll spend it.”

Come, Come Let Us Drink - Purcell
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