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DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry

11 Sep 08 - 05:47 PM (#2437762)
Subject: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Joe Offer

This is an edited DTStudy thread, and all messages posted here are subject to editing and deletion.
This thread is intended to serve as a forum for corrections and annotations for the Digital Tradition song named in the title of this thread.

Search for other DTStudy threads


I heard Holdstock and MacLeod sing this at their CD release concert last week, and they sang a lot more verses that the two I found in the Digital Tradition. I wonder if we can find other versions with more verses than what we have.
Except for one word that I've crossed out, the DT version is a transcription of what you'll find in Peter Kennedy's Folksongs of Britain and Ireland, #270:

DRINK OLD ENGLAND DRY

Now come, me brave boys, as I've told you before
Come drink, me brave boys, and we'll boldly call for more
For the French they've invited us and they say that they will try
Will try
They say that they will come and drink old England dry

Aye, dry, aye dry, me boys, aye, dry
They say they will come over and drink Old England dry.

Supposin' we should meet with the Germans by the way
Ten thousand to one we will show them British play
With our swords and our cutlasses, we'll fight until we die
We die
Before that they shall come and drink old England dry

From Folksongs of Britain and Ireland, Kennedy
Collected from Rowland Whitehead, 1953
@drink
filename[ DRNKENGL
TUNE FILE: DRNKENGL
CLICK TO PLAY
RG
apr96

Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry on this song:

Drink Old England Dry

DESCRIPTION: Singer calls on his companions to drink, for the English are at war with the French (Germans, Russians). The singer vows to show the enemy "British play": "We'll fight until we die/Before that they shall come and drink old England dry."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1890 (Rev. J. Broadwood, "Sussex Songs")
LONG DESCRIPTION: Singer calls on his companions to drink, for the English are at war with the French (Germans, Russians). The singer vows to show the enemy "British play"; "With our swords and with our cutlasses, We'll fight until we die/Before that they shall come and drink old England dry." A national hero (Lord Raglan, Lord Roberts, Churchill) swears he shall be true to his country and crown, and that cannons will rattle and bullets fly before they drink old England dry
KEYWORDS: promise fight violence war drink France Germany Russia nonballad patriotic ritual
FOUND IN: Britain(England(South,North))
REFERENCES (4 citations):
Kennedy 270, "Drink Old England Dry" (1 text, 1 tune)
Browne-Hampshire, pp. 43-45, "Drink Old England Dry" (1 text, 1 tune)
DallasCruel, pp. 148-149, "Drink Old England Dry" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, DRNKENGL*

Roud #882
RECORDINGS:
Rowland Whitehead & chorus, "Drink Old England Dry" (on FSB8)
NOTES [273 words]: Anne Gilchrist dates the original of this song to the time of the Napoleonic Wars. It was sung by a group known as The Boggens who would go around the village of Haxey (Lincolnshire) during the week preceding the day of the Hood Game, a combat ritual game. - PJS
The Napoleonic date is of course possible, but I personally think it's older. The British have, of course, fought the French for as long as both nations existed. But the reference in Kennedy's text to fighting the *Germans* "with our swords and our cutlasses" argues against such a date -- and postponing to the World Wars hardly helps.
Personally, I'd guess (very tentatively) that this dates to one of the "Succession Wars" of the eighteenth century. During the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), for instance, Britain was allied with Austria against France (e.g. Battle of Dettingen, 1743), and sometimes Prussia (which started the war, then backed out, then went back in). It therefore fits the situation better than the Napoleonic era.
The War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713) doesn't fit quite as well, since the German states were mostly on the same side as England in opposing France -- but it has the advantage of bringing in a Churchill before Winston (and note that the Kennedy text does not refer to *Winston* Churchill, merely "Churchill"): The Duke of Marlborough's name was John Churchill.
This, of course, is not to deny that the song could be adapted to later wars, as in the version collected by Cecil Sharp, which was adapted to the Crimean War by the insertion of Lord Raglan (the British commander on the Black Sea front) into the song. - RBW
Last updated in version 5.0
File: K270

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The Ballad Index Copyright 2020 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.


11 Sep 08 - 06:05 PM (#2437779)
Subject: ADD Version: Drink Old England Dry
From: Joe Offer

This page has the version that's printed in The Folk Handbook, pp 97-98 (Backbeat Books, 2007)

Drink Old England Dry
(as sung by Will Noble and John Cocking)

Now, come my brave boys, as I've told you before.
Come drink, my brave boys, and we'll boldly call for more,
For the French have invited us and they say that they will try, will try,
They say that they will come and drink old England dry.

(Chorus:) Aye dry, aye dry me boys, aye dry,
They say that they will come and drink old England dry.
(last line of chorus repeats last line of each verse)


Supposin' we should meet with the Germans by the way,
Ten thousand to one, we will show them British play.
With our swords and our cutlasses, we'll fight until we die, we die,
Before that they shall come and drink old England dry.


Then up spake bold Churchill, of fame and renown,
He swears he'll be true to his country and his crown.
For the cannon they will rattle and the bullets they will fly, will fly,
Before that they shall come and drink old England dry.

Then it's come my brave boys as I've told you before,
Come drink my brave boys 'til you can not drink no more.
For those Germans they may boast and shout but their brags are all my eye, my eye.
They say that they will come and drink old England dry.



Notes:
    Also known as He Swore He'd Drink Old England Dry it dates from the early 1800s when Napoleon was threatening to invade England. The song was later adapted for the Crimean War (1853-1856). In 1936 a version of the song mentioned Lord Roberts and in the Second World War, Winston Churchill took his place. In most versions the French are the enemy, but in some later ones the enemies were the Russians
    The song was adopted by the men of Haxey in Lincolnshire, where each spring they play a game across muddy fields with a leather ball called a 'Hood'. The game lasts all day and then at nightfall songs are sung by the 'boggins' in the local pub. It was from the Haxey Hood singers that Will and John learned the song.


Song transcribed by John Howson
Song notes: John Howson, Will Noble & John Cocking


11 Sep 08 - 08:54 PM (#2437904)
Subject: Lyr. Add: Drink Old England Dry (Non-patriotic)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

DRINK OLD ENGLAND DRY
Air- Lunuun is the Devil (Bryant)

1
Since I'm named for a song,
First I'll wet my throttle,
Come, waiter, don't be long,
But bring another bottle;
First, I'll toast my friends,
Then my sweethearts pretty,
And then, to make amends,
I'll drink my comrades witty.

Tooral loo, etc.

2
Here's to all those boys
Who are so brisk and funny,
Here's those who prompt new joys,
And those that lend me money;
Here's the jolly man,
And may he ne'er grow thinner,
For he, whene'er he can,
Invites me to a dinner.

Too ral loo, etc.

3
Here's to charming Bet,
For she's a maid so jolly,
And here's to lovely Let,
And here's to plump-faced Molly
And here's to Sukie Sly,
Likewise to pale-faced Jenny,
Who looks with roguish eye,
And tells me I'm a ninny.

Too ral loo, etc.

4
Now to lovely Nan,
For she's the best of lasses,
But not forgetting Fan,
Who cheers me in my glasses;
Fill to Lucy, dear,
Who crowns my life with blisses,
For she it is can cheer
Each passion with her kisses.

Too ral loo, etc.

5
Now a bumper toast,
Fill the goblets- brimmers,
For we will rule the roast
Until sweet day-light glimmers;
Fill, oh! fill my boys,
All sorrow we defy, sirs,
We'll taste of social joys,
And drink Old England dry, sirs.

Too ral loo, etc.

The Universal Songster or Museum of Mirth: etc., 1828, vol. III, p. 104; Jones and Co., London, Temple of the Muses.

Quite a different song from "Drink Old England Dry" of the Traditional Ballad Index and "Drink Little England Dry" at the Contemplator- Drink Little England Dry

There are many versions of the 'patriotic' song, but so far I haven't found another of this song.


11 Sep 08 - 09:14 PM (#2437908)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

In the index to vol. 3, 1828, the song is grouped under Bacchanalian by it's first line, "Since I'm named for a song," rather than "Drink Old England Dry," the title in the text, p. 104.
One must search both the title and first line in the indexes to The Universal Songster.


11 Sep 08 - 09:50 PM (#2437924)
Subject: ADD Version: Drink Old England Dry
From: Dead Horse

This was the "drinking-in song" of my old Morris side:-

DRINK OLD ENGLAND DRY

Come drink me brave boys, as I've told you before.
Come drink me brave boys and we'll boldly call for more
For the French they are invading and they say that they will try, will try.
They say that they shall come and drink Old England dry
Aye dry. Aye dry. me boys aye dry.
They say that they shall come and drink Old England dry.

Supposing that we should meet with the Prussians by the way.
Ten thousand to one we will show them British play.
With our swords and our cutlasses we'll fight until we die, we die.
Before that they shall come and drink Old England dry

Then up spake bold Wellington of fame and renown.
He swore to be true to his country and his crown
For those cannons they may rattle and the musket balls may fly, may fly.
Before that they shall come and drink Old England dry

Supposing we should meet with their fleet upon the main
We have done so before and we can do so again
We will shrink them we will sink them beneath the seas so high, so high.
Before that they shall come and drink Old England dry

Then it's drink me brave boys, as I've told you before.
Come drink me brave boys 'till you cannot drink no more
For those Frenchies they may boast brag, but their brags are all my eye, my eye.
They say that they shall come and drink Old England dry.

Here's a YouTube recording. -Joe-


11 Sep 08 - 10:21 PM (#2437946)
Subject: ADD Version: Drink Old England Dry
From: Joe Offer

OK, so here's what I hear on the Dick Holdstock recording. I've known him for over ten years, and I still can't say I understand him completely. Dick says this is from a broadside, but I have known him to use his imagination at times.
His scholarship is impeccable, but sometimes I can't tell when he's pulling my leg...
-Joe-

Drink Old England Dry

Oh, drink round right, boys, and never give o'er;
Drink round right, boys, as you have done before.
Old Boney he has sent us a fresh reply,
He swears that he will come and drink Old England Dry.

(Chorus:) Aye dry, aye dry me boys, aye dry,
He swears that he will come and drink old England dry.
(last line of chorus repeats last line of each verse)

Ofttimes, ofttimes, old Boney, he has said,
If England would receive him, no taxes need be paid;
We'd rather not believe him, for fear that he should lie,
For fear that he should come and drink old England dry.

Lord Collingwood, of high renown,
Swore he'd fight for his king, his country, and his crown;
His crown, king, and country, he will fight until he dies,
He'll fight before they'll come and drink old England dry.

And if we meet with the French all on the high seas,
Ten thousand to one that we should not agree;
But cannons they will rattle, and the bullets swiftly fly,
Before that they should come and drink old England dry.



transcribed by ear from the Holdstock and MacLeod album, Deepwater Return.


12 Sep 08 - 12:08 AM (#2438002)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

A broadside at the Bodleian, no date but probably not long after 1800, is about the French drinking Old England dry. It is badly inked, I may give it another try later. Last three verses:

OLD ENGLAND DRY, (A new song called ...)
Harding B25(1403); Liverpool, S. Summersides.
First line- Come drink my brave boys ....

4
If that we meet with their ships on the ....,
I'll warrant you my boys, they shall have little ....
We'll take them, or sink, or cause them to fly,
Before they shall drink Old England dry.

5
Old England is loyal, as we understand,
They have rais'd the militia, likewise the train'd band (?)
With a strong resolution, King George to stand by,
Before they shall drink Old England dry.

6
So here's a good health to the Church, King and Crown,
And to all loyal subjects that pull the French down,
King George and his subjects will fight till they drop
Before they shall drink Old England dry.

Verse 2 starts "The French they are for landing in Ireland ...",
the next "The French are for landing in England ..."


12 Sep 08 - 01:04 AM (#2438014)
Subject: ADD Version: Drink England Dry
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

DRINK ENGLAND DRY
Sung at Hoxey, Jan. 6 (Old Christmas)

1
Come, me brave boys, as I've told you before,
And drink, me brave boys, and we'll boldly call for more.
For the French they invade us, they say they will try,
They say that they will come and drink Old England dry.

Chorus:
Ay, dry, me boys, ay dry!
They say they will come and drink Old England dry.

2
Then up spoke Lord Roberts, a man of fair renown,
He swears he'll be true to his country and his crown,
For the cannons they shall rattle, and the bullets they shall fly
'Fore that they shall come and drink Old England dry.

Chorus:

3
Supposing we should meet with the Germans by the way,
Ten thousand to one we should show them British play,
With our swords and our cutlasses we'll fight until we die,
We'll die before that they shall come and drink Old England dry.

Chorus:

Ethel H. Rudkin, 1932, "An Account of the Hoxey Hood Game," Folklore, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 289-301.

Mrs. Rudkin describes the activities in detail, and provides a few photographs. She said that, of the songs sung, the only one she had never heard before was "Drink Old England Dry."


12 Sep 08 - 02:05 AM (#2438026)
Subject: ADD Version: Drink Old England Dry
From: stormalong

For many years there used to be a Georgian festival in Tunbridge Wells (Kent) staged by a company of professional players. This is the version they had. It's close to other versions. I suspect they added the 'B' word for fun:

Drink Old England Dry

Come drink me brave boys as I've told you before
Come drink me brave boys till we boldly call for more
For the Frenchies have invited us: They say that they will try, will try
They say that they will come and drink old England dry

Aye dry, Aye dry me boys aye dry
They say that they will come and drink old England dry

Supposing we should meet with some Spanish by the way
Ten thousand to one we will show them British play
With our swords and our cutlasses we'll fight until we die, we die
Before that they shall come and drink old England dry

Aye dry, Aye dry me boys aye dry
Before that they shall come and drink old England dry

Up spake the Duke of Marlborough of fame and renown
He swears he'll be true to his country and his crown
Well, the cannon they will rattle and the bullets they will fly, will fly
Before we let the bastards drink old England dry

Aye dry, Aye dry me boys aye dry
Before we let the bastards drink old England dry

So it's drink me brave boys as I've told you before
Come drink me brave boys till we cannot drink no more
For the Frenchies they may boast and shout but their brags are all my eye, my eye
They'll never ever come and drink old England dry

Aye dry, Aye dry me boys aye dry
They'll never ever come and drink old England dry


12 Sep 08 - 03:19 AM (#2438064)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Malcolm Douglas

Not found very often in tradition (see listing in Roud), but it became popular in the revival; during the '60s, I'd guess. Probably the texts 'Dead Horse' and 'stormalong' posted are of that vintage; they look to be expansions of the Haxey set.

It seems most likely that the occasional appearance of Churchill and the Germans in this song is due to its persistence in tradition throughout the 20th century rather than evidence of an 18th century origin; that at least is the opinion of editors such as Patrick O'Shaughnessey and Frank Purslow, and I see no reason to dissent. Actually, that's only in in the Haxey version anyway; though it appears that by the 1970s the Boggins had dropped him and restored Lord Roberts. I don't know what they sing nowadays, but could probably find out; mind you, if Will Noble and John Cocking got their text directly from them, it will have been relatively recently, so perhaps Churchill is back in favour again.


12 Sep 08 - 03:27 AM (#2438067)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Joe Offer

Know anything of a Bonaparte ("Boney") version, Malcolm?

-Joe-


12 Sep 08 - 03:40 AM (#2438073)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: pavane

From the Bodleian collection. The mention of King George puts it before 1837, I suppose, and probably c 1800:

Old England Dry
[Harding B25 (1403) - part posted by Q above. The links are correct, but they're not working. Maybe Bodleian doen't allow direct links. -Joe Offer-]


12 Sep 08 - 04:22 AM (#2438109)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: GUEST,doc.tom

For what it's worth, here's my set. It was learnt in Sussex in the early 1960s - but cannot now remember who/where from! Obviously similar to the Haxey set, but a distinct tune variant. (The first line of the third verse is also a good test of sobriety!)

Drink round brave boys and never give o'er.
Drink round brave boys as I have said before,
For Old Boney he has sent to us a new reply
And swears that he will come and drink old England dry.
Dry, dry, dry boys dry.
He swears that he will come and drink old England dry.

'Twas Collingwood, of high reknown,
Swore he'd fight for his King, his country and his crown,
His crown, king and country would fight until he die
Before that they should come and drink old England dry. etc....

Now if our ships should meet all on the sea,
Ten thousand to one that they would not agree.
The cannons they would rattle and bullets swiftly fly
Before that they should come and drink old England dry. etc...

Tom


12 Sep 08 - 12:12 PM (#2438429)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Martin Graebe

I've been singing this version from Barrett for several years - but it is a bit anti-gallic.

Drink Little England Dry

Drink, my boys, and ne'er give o'er
Drink until you can't drink no more
For the Frenchmen are coming for a fresh supply
And they swear they'll drink little England Dry
Paddie, widdie, waddie, widdie, bow, wow, wow
Paddie, widdie, waddie, widdie, bow, wow, wow
For the Frenchmen are coming for a fresh supply
And they swear they'll drink little England Dry

They may come , the frogs of France
But we'll teach them a new-fashioned dance
For we'll pepper their jackets most ter-ri-bully
Afore they'll drink little England dry
Paddie, widdie, waddie, widdie, bow, wow, wow
Paddie, widdie, waddie, widdie, bow, wow, wow
For we'll pepper their jackets most ter-ri-bully
Afore they'll drink little England dry

They may come as they may think
But they shall fight afore they drink
For the guns they shall rattle and the bullets they shall fly
Afore they'll drink little England dry
Paddie, widdie, waddie, widdie, bow, wow, wow
Paddie, widdie, waddie, widdie, bow, wow, wow
For the guns they shall rattle and the bullets they shall fly
Afore they'll drink little England dry

Then drink, my boys, and ne-er give oer
Drink until you can't drink no more
For the Frenchmen's brags are all my eye
And they'll never drink little England dry
Paddie, widdie, waddie, widdie, bow, wow, wow
Paddie, widdie, waddie, widdie, bow, wow, wow
For the Frenchmen's brags are all my eye
And they'll never drink little England dry

William Barret, English Folk Songs, London: Novello (1891) p. 20 'Written at the time of the threatened invasion of England by Napoleon, 1800'

Martin Graebe


12 Sep 08 - 01:26 PM (#2438523)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Joe Offer

Doc Tom - your version is almost the same as the version Dick Holdstock does. Any idea where it came from?
I haven't found a "Boney" version in print.
-Joe-


12 Sep 08 - 01:32 PM (#2438529)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

pavanne, I posted part of that version you link from the Bodleian, but could not read it all (see my earlier post with the last three verses). Perhaps you might be able to read (or guess) more of it. I haven't gone back to it yet.

The version posted by Greenjack also appears in Contemplator. Drink Little England Dry

Did Barrett have any evidence that the version he printed actually came from the time of Napoleon?

The English first applied the word 'frog' to Jesuits and esp. Dutchmen in the 17th c., references indicate that it was also applied to Frenchmen in the late 18th c. (OED)


12 Sep 08 - 01:40 PM (#2438542)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

There are several broadsides at the Bodleian from the time of Napoleon that use the nickname 'Boney,' so it is possible that it occurs in an early version. Haven't checked NLS yet.


12 Sep 08 - 09:12 PM (#2438889)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Malcolm Douglas

There don't seem to be any traditional examples that mention Boney, Bonaparte, Collingwood or Marlborough. I rather suspect that those names were stuffed in by revival singers in an attempt to emphasise the (likely) Napoleonic connection, or to make the song sound older than it really is.

The issue with links to the Bodleian site is, I think, just one of those glitches that happen sometimes (most commonly on Sundays in my experience). It will probably be back to normal soon.


13 Sep 08 - 07:49 AM (#2439100)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Dead Horse

Q.
Missing words from manuscript:-
v4
If that we meet with their ships on the ....(seas),
I'll warrant you my boys, they shall have little ...(ease)
We'll take them, or sink, or cause them to fly,
Before they shall drink Old England dry.


13 Sep 08 - 03:25 PM (#2439368)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Steve Gardham

I have a copy of the Bodleian broadside from Manchester C Library and one from Derby P Lib which I'll post in a bit after I've had a drink.


13 Sep 08 - 04:08 PM (#2439394)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Steve Gardham

I've just typed out both versions and then wiped the lot before posting so I'm going to have another go and send it in bits. ********


13 Sep 08 - 04:09 PM (#2439396)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Richard Bridge

THat was a quick drink


13 Sep 08 - 04:19 PM (#2439401)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Steve Gardham

Here is what I assume to be the earlier of the two if not the original. It must be easily datable by the invasion scares referred to.
Derby Public Library Broadsides Box 15

A NEW SONG ON THE TIMES,
BY JOHN MUNRO

Come drink my brave boys, and never give o'er
Come drink my brave boys, as I told you before
For the French are for landing with their fresh supply,
And surely they will drink Old England dry

They are for landing in Scotland, for a truth as they say,
But if we do catch them will show them ggod play,
But we ne'er will believe them, for we know they do lie,
For they never shall....

But if ever we meet with their fleet on the seas,
they well may expect to have but little ease,
We will take, burn, and sink them, and make them to fly,
Before they shall......

But as for Tom Paine, and his Jacobin crew,
If e'er we do catch them we'll make them to rue;
For daring to offer their King to destroy,
But they never shall......

So britons be loyal wherever you be,
And we'll conquer the French dogs by land and by sea,
Where we do meet them, we will them destroy,
That they never may drink...

So drink a good health, boys, to Church, King, and Crown,
And let all loyal subjects pull the Jacobins down;
King George he has sworn his good land to stand by,
That they never may.....

No imprint, with seraph s


13 Sep 08 - 04:36 PM (#2439412)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Steve Gardham

Right... episode 2.

Manchester Central Library BRf 821.04 Bal Vol 4 p160

A NEW SONG CALLED
OLD ENGLAND DRY.

Come drink my brave boys and never give o'er
Come drink, my brave boys as I told you before
The French are for landing with a fresh supply,
And swear they will drink Old England dry.

The French are for landing in Ireland they say,
But if they receive them, no taxes we'll pay;
We ne'er could believe them for fear they should lie,
For they ne'er shall.....

The French are for landing in England, we think,
But the devil shall take them before they shall drink
Our cannons shall rattle, our bullets shall fly,
Before they shall......

The rest as Q posted from the Bodl

v4 the 2 words are 'seas' and 'ease'
v5 'band' is correct
v6 line 2 ends in ;
   line 3..last word should be 'die'

Imprint
LIVERPOOL:
Printed and Sold by S. Summersides,
No. 58, White-Chapel.

This is also the version referred to by Frank Purslow in 'The Foggy Dew' p108

The whole thing is surely a patriotic propaganda piece. The authorities were shit-scared of any Napoleon sympathisers in Britain and took every opportunity to plug the invasion rumours and scotch any French sympathies. Hence the references to 'Jacobins'.
Thread #114305   Message #2438002
Posted By: Q
12-Sep-08 - 12:08 AM
(excerpt)

4
If that we meet with their ships on the seas,
I'll warrant you my boys, they shall have little ease.
We'll take them, or sink, or cause them to fly,
Before they shall drink Old England dry.

5
Old England is loyal, as we understand,
They have rais'd the militia, likewise the train'd band (?)
With a strong resolution, King George to stand by,
Before they shall drink Old England dry.

6
So here's a good health to the Church, King and Crown,
And to all loyal subjects that pull the French down;
King George and his subjects will fight till they die,
Before they shall drink Old England dry.


23 Jun 09 - 03:41 PM (#2662939)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: GUEST,Oz Childs

"trained band" (Macaulay calls them "trainbands") is absolutely right. The militia was raised and commanded in the shires, the trained bands were raised in London and I think other cities. Legally, they were part of the militia, but the London bands were under the jurisdiction of a locally-appointed committee. They would have helped defend London, if Napoleon had invaded.


23 Jun 09 - 06:40 PM (#2663116)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: Jon Bartlett

A more recently composed verse: can't remember from whom I learned it!

But now we are in Europe, and friends we have to be
Exchanging eurocoffee for our British cup of tea
But no matter what we export, there's one thing we'll deny -
We'll never send our beer and leave old England dry.

Jon Bartlett


24 Jun 09 - 03:52 AM (#2663321)
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Drink Old England Dry
From: r.padgett

I like it!!

Ray