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The Roast Beef of Old England
When mighty Roast Beef was the Englishman’s food,
It ennobled 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 learnt from all-vapouring France
To eat their ragouts as well as to dance,
We’re 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 rejoice 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 the 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,
Ere coffee, or tea, or 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 cooking to do ourselves right.
But now we’re a . . . I could, but goodnight!
Oh! the Roast Beef of Old England,
And old English Roast Beef!
by Henry Fielding: “The Grub Street Opera” (1731), Act iii, scene 2
Henry Fielding was born on 22 April 1707 in Sharpham, Somerset, England. He became a novelist, a dramatist, and an essayist. He is known for his humor and satire, and as the writer of the novel, “The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling” (1749). Aside from his literary achievements, he has a significant place in the history of law-enforcement, having founded in 1749 what some have called London’s first police force, the Bow Street Runners, using his authority as a magistrate. Henry Fielding passed on at 47 years of age on 8 October 1754 in Lisbon, Kingdom of Portugal.
When mighty Roast Beef was the Englishman’s food,
It ennobled 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 learnt from all-vapouring France
To eat their ragouts as well as to dance,
We’re 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 rejoice 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 the 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,
Ere coffee, or tea, or 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 cooking to do ourselves right.
But now we’re a . . . I could, but goodnight!
Oh! the Roast Beef of Old England,
And old English Roast Beef!
by Henry Fielding: “The Grub Street Opera” (1731), Act iii, scene 2
Henry Fielding was born on 22 April 1707 in Sharpham, Somerset, England. He became a novelist, a dramatist, and an essayist. He is known for his humor and satire, and as the writer of the novel, “The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling” (1749). Aside from his literary achievements, he has a significant place in the history of law-enforcement, having founded in 1749 what some have called London’s first police force, the Bow Street Runners, using his authority as a magistrate. Henry Fielding passed on at 47 years of age on 8 October 1754 in Lisbon, Kingdom of Portugal.
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