When Jones’ Ale Was New

The new single by Blackbeard’s Tea Party. Released 19th July.

Blackbeard’s Tea Party · When Jones’ Ale Was New

Download: WAV | MP3

(embargoed for radio play / web sharing until 19th July)

The song

It’s the feel good song of the summer… if that summer was 1524! Blackbeard’s Tea Party breathe new life into this traditional drinking song by fusing it with a pop-punk sound. It evokes the feeling of long hazy days sitting in the sun and sharing a few beers with friends. The song is paired with a polka written by Blackbeard’s Tea Party’s fiddle player Laura Boston-Barber. The song is sure to be a hit at folk festivals this summer.

‘When Jones’ Ale Was New’ promotional shot

‘When Jones’ Ale Was New’ single artwork

The video

The song was a favourite of “pace-eggers” (an Easter-time tradition, similar to mumming, where people went from house to house singing songs and begging for eggs) and Blackbeard’s Tea Party pay homage to the pace-egging routes of the song in the music video, with a surreal interpretation of a traditional pace-egging costume.

Blackbeard’s Tea Party – When Jones’ Ale Was New (Official music video)

Lyrics

There were some jolly young fellows
Came over the hill together
Came over the hill together
To form a jovial crew
And they sat themselves upon the ground
And each one swore he’d spend a pound
And they’d have glasses all around
When Jones’ ale was new me boys
When Jones’ ale was new

The first to come in was a tinker
And good lord he was no drinker
Good lord he was no drinker
To join this jovial crew
He said, ‘Any pots or kettles to fettle?
‘My tools are made of the finest metal’
And lord how his hammer and tongs did rattle
When Jones’ ale was new me boys
When Jones’ ale was new

The last to come in was a mason
With his hammer and chisel to face ’em
His hammer and chisel to face ’em
And join this jovial crew
He flung his old hammer against the wall
And he swore that churhces and chapels would fall
And that’d make work for masons all
When Jones’ ale was new me boys
When Jones’ ale was new

Forthcoming album

The song is the first to be released from the forthcoming album ‘We Are People‘, due for release on 20th September. Learn more about the album here.

Two more singles will be released from the album:

‘England Bound‘ on 30th August
‘I Am People‘ on 20th September

About Blackbeard’s Tea Party

Now in their 15th year, Blackbeard’s Tea Party are much-loved stalwarts of the English folk scene. Known for a bombastic and upbeat folk-rock sound, they also infuse sounds of glam, punk, funk and metal. They have built their reputation on blisteringly energetic live shows, and are regulars at some of the biggest UK folk festivals including Sidmouth, Towersey and Folk East. They have come a long way since busking on the streets of York, having also made memorable appearances at Glastonbury, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention and Cambridge Folk Festival. They regularly tour too, with a headline tour planned for autumn / winter 2024. See the list of live dates here.

For any press enquiries, please contact: blackbeard@blackbeardsteaparty.com