Perhaps Sydney Carter was saying something similiar in his song EROS even if it does refer to Londoners.

Me father was a cupid and me mother pushed a barrer
I was born in Piccadilly, with a bow and arrer

One leg up and one leg down
Like an old cock sparrer
Flying over Piccadilly
With me bow and arrer

Caesar came to London Town, thought the girls were pretty
Look at all those Roman noses, walking round the City

Up the river came a load of whiskers long and flaxen
If your eyes are china blue, then blame it on a Saxon

Up the river came a Viking, out for blood and thunder
Saw a lady to his liking, then began to plunder

William came to conquer us, then we got the Yanks, sir
So, if you look like Georgie Bush, then you know who to thank, sir

I've got feathers on me back, and arrers in me quiver
Just because me father came a-flying up the river

Where's your Cockney pedigree? I'm surprised you asked it
Everybody's been and put a bun into the basket