He that buys land buys many stones, He that buys flesh buys many bones, He that buys eggs buys many shells, He that buys ale buys nothing else.

Some purchases bring along parts the buyer would rather do without. Stones, bones, and shells are included alongside the things that make land, meat, and eggs desirable.

The closing line playfully sets ale apart from those examples: it has no comparable unwanted part to discard. The contrast makes a lighthearted point about getting only what one meant to buy.

Use this rhyme to joke about the unwanted parts that come bundled with a purchase. Its final turn can also serve as a playful argument in favor of ale, rather than as a complaint about it.