ROAST BEEF OF OLD ENGLAND

Something to think about as you mull over your Tesco's ready-meal.....

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When mighty roast beef was the Englishman's food

It ennobl'd our veins and enriched our blood

Our soldiers were brave and our courtiers were good

Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

But since we have learned from all vapouring France

To eat their ragouts, as well as to dance.

We are fed up with nothing but vain complaisance

Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

Our fathers, of old, were robust, stout and strong

And kept open house, with good cheer all day long.

Which made their plump tenants rejoyce in this song

Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

But now we are dwindled, to what shall I name

A sneaking poor race, half begotten and tame

Who sully those honours that once shone in fame

Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

When good Queen Elizabeth sat on the throne

E'er coffee and tea and such slip-slops were known

The world was in terror if e'er she did frown.

Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

In those days, if fleets did presume on the main

They seldom, or never, return'd back again

As witness, the vaunting Armada of Spain.

Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

Oh! Then we had stomachs to eat, and to fight

And when wrongs were a-cooking to do ourselves right

But now we're a... I could, but goodnght.

Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

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