The Roast Beef Of Old England
Composer(s): Richard Leveridge



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...

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...

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...

When good Queen Elizabeth sate 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...

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...

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 good Night
Oh! The Roast Beef...