The Roast Beef of Old England

The song increased in popularity when given a new setting by the composer Richard Leveridge,[1][2] and it became customary for theatre audiences to sing it before, after, and occasionally during, any new play.

The song provided the popular title for a 1748 painting by William Hogarth: O the Roast Beef of Old England (The Gate of Calais).

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!

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.

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.