"The Roast Beef of Old England" is an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

patriotic ballad. It was written by

Henry Fielding Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English novelist, irony writer, and dramatist known for earthy humour and satire. His comic novel ''Tom Jones'' is still widely appreciated. He and Samuel Richardson are seen as founders ...

for his play '' The Grub-Street Opera'', which was first performed in 1731. The lyrics were added to over the next twenty years. The song increased in popularity when given a new setting by the composer Richard Leveridge,Olive Baldwin and Thelma Wilson, "Leveridge, Richard (1670–1758)", ''

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...

'', Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 200
accessed 21 April 2011
/ref> and it became customary for theatre audiences to sing it before, after, and occasionally during, any new play. The

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against Fr ...

always goes in to dine at Mess Dinners to the tune, which is also played at

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through c ...

formal mess dinners during the presentation of the

beef Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus''). In prehistoric times, humankind hunted aurochs and later domesticated them. Since that time, numerous breeds of cattle have been bred specifically for the quality or quantit ...

. Officers of the

Royal Artillery The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery (RA) and colloquially known as "The Gunners", is one of two regiments that make up the artillery arm of the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises t ...

are also played in to dinner by this tune. The song provided the popular title for a 1748 painting by

William Hogarth William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, pictorial satirist, social critic, editorial cartoonist and occasional writer on art. His work ranges from realistic portraiture to comic strip-like ...

: '' O the Roast Beef of Old England (The Gate of Calais)''.

Lyrics

When mighty

Roast Beef Roast beef is a dish of beef that is roasted, generally served as the main dish of a meal. In the Anglosphere, roast beef is one of the meats often served at Sunday lunch or dinner. Yorkshire pudding is a standard side dish. Sliced 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!

References

External multimedia

Tune played on fife and drum by USMC band.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roast Beef of Old England 18th-century songs English phrases English patriotic songs 1731 works

Lyrics

See also

References

External multimedia