Cornish Pastie Song

To the Tune of the Leather Bottel (sic)

When that I view my Country o're:

Of goodly things the plenteous store:

The Sea and Fish that swim therein,

And underground the Copper and Tin:

Let all the World say what it can,

Still I hold by the Cornishman,

And that one more especially

That first found out the Cornish Pastie.

When the Tinner to Bal takes a touchpipe for crowse

He cannot have Hot-meat sent from his house:

Yet hath no stomach for victuals cold,

So a pasty he takes in a Napkin rolled:

And though he leave it for half the day,

Within his Hogan Bag warm 'twill stay.

So I wish him joy whoever he be

that first found out the Cornish Pastie.

And when the Fisher a-fishing goes,

Though rough winds redden his ears and nose,

Little he careth how hard it blow,

So his Pasty lie safe in the locker below.

For though the lugger should ship a sea

Within its crust still dry 'twould be.

So I wish him joy whoever he be

That first found out the Cornish Pastie.

When lasses and lads to Country go

To bring in the May with a halantow:

The men chose the field-path (longer by miles)

To help the maidens over the stiles.

Belike then a Basket may fall to the ground:

Yet if it hold Pasties they still are sound.

So I wish him joy whoever he be

That first found out the Cornish Pastie.

When of dancing the Maidens have had their fill:

Although their swains would be dancing still:

Is not Nick's Pasty the sweeter yet

For being shared with his sweetheart Bet?

And does not Jan's the better taste,

For that his Jenifer made the paste?

So I wish him joy whoever he be

That first found out the Cornish Pastie.

For a Hearty Man's dinner 'tis ample fare,

With naught too little nor none to spare:

And here again it deserveth praise

That when it has vanished its virtue stays:

For it gives sweet ease to the scullery quean,

Who hath nor platters nor knives to clean.

So I wish him joy whoever he be

That first found out the Cornish Pastie.

Now in the world since it first began,

what other dish has been made by man,

Both Knife and Fork: both Plate and Table,

Meat and Bread and Vegetable?

So one and all come drink to his health:

May he live merry in peace and wealth!

And give him a cheer with three times three

That first found out the Cornish Pastie!

R. Morton Nance

published in the Cornish Magazine July 1898 (spelling as original)