The Roast Beef of Old England (Leveridge) When mighty roast beef was the Englishman's food, It enobled our hearts and enriched our blood, Our soldiers were brave, and our courtiers were good. O! The Roast Beef of old England! And O! For England's 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-- O! The Roast Beef of old England! And O! For England's 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. O! The Roast Beef of old England! And O! For England's Roast Beef! copied from "Songs of England V.1" copyright middle or late 1800s According to BUCEM it's a parody of a song in Henry Fielding's ballad opera Don Quixote, 1733. Leveridge's song was widely reprinted and the title sometimes given as "The Roast Beef Song". This one one of his last songs. Some of his are as early as 1697. WBO WBO Apr98
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!