Story Behind The Song

I wrote this song several years ago during my stint with The Black Velvet Band, an Irish Folk Music group from New London, WI. It was often performed at our gigs to rousing applause. We recorded it on our third album, "Me Glass and Spoon". This version was recorded by myself in my home studio, with a little drunken background singing by some internet collaborators from Scotland, Austalia, and California. Just Google up "Hats Off to Beer" and you'll see how widespread this thing has become!

Song Description

"Hats Off to Beer" has become a much-pirated Internet favorite! It has been downloaded by people all over the world. It's a love song, about one man's fondness for the tasty brown brew.

Lyrics

There is a song that I love to sing
And I'll Sing it now for you
My friends, it is no mystery
It's of the fine brown brew
I have yet to meet the ale
For which I didn't care
And there's no pub in all the land
Where you won't find me there

Hats off to beer, me boys
Hats off to beer
Lift your glasses in the air
And give a hearty cheer
When the barrel is empty
We'll surely shed a tear
Hats off to beer, me boys
Hats off to beer

Seven days without a beer
Does surely make one week
It's pleasure in the company
Of a frosted mug I seek
I've travelled clear across the world
You know that I've been cursed
But the Devil doesn't know where a man will go
When he's dying of the thirst

Hats off to beer, me boys
Hats off to beer
Lift your glasses in the air
And give a hearty cheer
When the barrel is empty
We'll surely shed a tear
Hats off to beer, me boys
Hats off to beer

Mr. Killian would be proud
If he heard the old one say
"Another time 'round with the Irish Red
And the Devil, let him pay!"
Sometimes she's a happy wench
Or a beautiful maiden fair
But there's nothing else on this green earth
To which she can compare

Hats off to beer, me boys
Hats off to beer
Lift your glasses in the air
And give a hearty cheer
When the barrel is empty
We'll surely shed a tear
Hats off to beer, me boys
Hats off to beer

Now, there is but one dream I have
And of this, I will relate
It's not of riches, fame or power
For these are not my fate
Sure it's clear that I love my beer
And of this there is no doubt
And when I turn the kitchen tap
I wish she's come flowing out!

Hats off to beer, me boys
Hats off to beer
Lift your glasses in the air
And give a hearty cheer
When the barrel is empty
We'll surely shed a tear
Hats off to beer, me boys
Hats off to beer