I wrote this about 20 years ago: I don't think it is a parody (as usually understood), but following the practice of such as the Salvation Army, Joe Hill, Woody Guthrie, Dylan, etc. of using a familiar tune and structure to ease the digestibility of the message you're putting across. And did those teeth in ancient times crunch upon England's apples green? And was the Bramley apple pie on England's dining tables seen? And did the cider pure and strong pour forth in pints, and quarts and gills? And did the apple bring good health to folks in dark satanic mills? Bring me my Cox of burnished gold; bring me my Worcester, firm and sweet. Bring me my Pippins, new or old; bring me some English fruit to eat. I shall not eat that tasteless pomme, nor shall a French fruit soil my hand, Till English apples rule again in England's green and pleasant land.
|