Roast Beef of old England

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When mighty Roast Beef Was the Englishman's food, It ennobled our brains 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 2. 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

3. But now we are dwindled to, What shall I name? A poor sneaking 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 4. In those days if fleets did Presume on the Main, They seldom, if ever, Returned home again, As witness the vaunting Armada of Spain Oh the Roast Beef of Old England And old English Roast Beef

5. 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 goodnight! Oh the Roast Beef of Old England And old English Roast Beef.