English (or British) patriotic songs - advice appreciated

[LeMartinPecheur]

A teeny tad too early (1691) but is the duet 'Round thy Coasts, Fair Nymph of Britain' from Purcell's King Arthur any use?

Or the following 'Harvest Home' chorus, which has the verse replete with typical native understatement "We'll toss off our Ale till we canno' stand,/ And Heigh for the Honour of Old England'

And with a huge false stress on the last word EngLAND - Purcell the exemplary setter of the English language Mr Britten??

[Ferretfancy]

Bert Coules,

I've just remembered the Agincourt Song, but perhaps that's going back too far!

[Flosshilde]

Isn't it rather the point that patriotic songs would have been uncommon before the Act of Union? Elizabethans and Stuarts would probably not have recognised the idea in the way we think of it. The sort of music of the period that we enjoy today would only have been rarely heard in small towns and villages outside court circles.

Surely the idea would have been there, even if it wasn't expressed as such - patriotism arises from a belief in one's superiority against a real or imagined enemy - both Scotland & England had those in the 17th century - each other, & France in the case of the latter.

[Bert Coules]

Thanks again to everyone for all the thoughts and suggestions, and for an interesting discussion. You've given me lots to consider.

[Anna]

Definitely more popular than art. To be sung by a small group of men in a round-the-campfire sort of situation.

This is too late, at 1731, but would be rather jolly sung around a campfire! Lucy Skeaping and her band did it on R3. You might actually consider emailing her for suggestions?

Roast Beef Of Old England
When mighty roast beef was the Englishman's food
It ennobl'd our veins and enriched our blood
Our soldiers were brave and our courtiers were good
Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.
But since we have learned from all vapouring France
To eat their ragouts, as well as to dance.
We are fed up with nothing but vain complaisance
Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

Our fathers, of old, were robust, stout and strong
And kept open house, with good cheer all day long.
Which made their plump tenants rejoyce in this song
Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

But now we are dwindled, to what shall I name
A sneaking poor race, half begotten and tame
Who sully those honours that once shone in fame
Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

When good Queen Elizabeth sat on the throne
E'er coffee and tea and such slip-slops were known
The world was in terror if e'er she did frown.
Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

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.
Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.

Oh! Then we had stomachs to eat, and to fight
And when wrongs were a-cooking to do ourselves right
But now we're a... I could, but goodnght.
Oh! The roast beef of Old England, and Old English roast beef.