To those of us who follow the adventures of Lizzie Cornish the opening of a Mudcat thread on the Cornish Nightingale seemed to offer a long overdue tribute. Especially so when it appeared that the bird in question has actually never been spotted in the Duchy. Disappointingly it seems that the original poster merely wanted information about a song.

I believe that our Lizzie's selfless devotion to Show of Hands is so far over and beyond the call of duty, common sense, or the rules of English grammar that she deserves some kind of recognition. A song in her honour seems the very least we can offer. All the very best songs include a talking bird, so I hope Lizzie won't object to being depicted as a warbling songster.

I sang this song at the Beech in Chorlton last night where I hoped it would be swiftly forgotten. However I was asked to post the words on Mudcat – but as it was clear that some of the words made no sense at all to the audience (or to me!) at the time this version differs somewhat from what they heard.

The tune of course is the rousing anthem of 'Trelawny' (with most sincere apologies to the Reverend R S Hawker).

The New Cornish Songster

With keyboard and with trusty hand,
Broadband connection too;
The English folk shall understand
What one Cornish bird can do.
Oh have they fixed the Folk Awards?
Shall Beer and Knightly fail?
Here's twenty thousand Cornish words
Shall make their cause prevail.
Shall Beer and Knightley prosper?
Or shall Beer and Knightley fail?
Here's twenty thousand Cornish words
Shall make their cause prevail.
        
Up spoke the pretty bird so bold,
As she flew from tree to tree,
Though London's gold were in Michael's hold,
I'll set tradition free.
The banks of Tamar I shall brave,
The Jordan is no stay;
No pardon do I seek nor crave,
Shall a copper bid me nay?
Shall Beer and Knightley prosper?
Or shall Beer and Knightley fail?
Here's twenty thousand Cornish words
Shall make their cause prevail.

Ill bodes your strength, you bellowing hordes,
In vain your spears let fly;
For I shall flood the message boards
The fruits of vict'ry to deny.
A show of hands shall gain the gold,
Ye trembling mawkin fie!
Here stands one Cornish songster bold
To show the reason why.
Shall Beer and Knightley prosper?
Or shall Beer and Knightley fail?
Here's twenty thousand Cornish words
Shall make their cause prevail.

Matthew Edwards