Oh! the Roast Beef of England (Henry Fielding)
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- (Posted 2023-11-28) CPDL #77687:
- Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-11-28). Score information: Letter, 12 pages, 717 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Oh! the Roast Beef of England
Composer: Henry Fielding
Arranger: Josiah Pittman
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: Piano
First published: 1851 Novello, Ewer, and Co.
Description: Original ballad from The Grub Street Opera (1731)
arranged as a part song by Josiah Pittman
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Since mighty Roast Beef is an Englishman’s food,
It accounts for the freedom that runs in his blood,
For generous living’s the step to all good.
Oh! the Roast Beef of old England,
And oh! the old English Roast Beef.
Our fathers of old were robust, stout, and strong,
And they 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 oh! the old English Roast Beef.
The tender sirloin was by Royalty’s sword
To knighthood ennobled, in grateful record
Of the smoking hot joint that he found on the board.
Oh! the Roast Beef of old England,
And oh! the old English Roast Beef.
Great Handel, ’tis said, could eat dinner for six,
Which was doubtless his reason on England to fix,
As the land where good music with eating they mix.
Oh! the Roast Beef of old England,
And oh! the old English Roast Beef.
Then long may each Briton of beef have his fill,
At Christmas, the season of peace and good will,
For the man that’s well fed, Sirs, can never do ill.
Oh! the Roast Beef of old England,
And oh! the old English Roast Beef.