The Old Rose & Crown: a song about the demise of the Old English Pub composed and written by English expat living in Canada folk singer Ian Robb.
Lyrics:
Good friends gather round and I'll tell you a tale
It's a story well known to all lovers of ale
For the old English pub, once a man's second home
Has been decked out by brewers in plastic and chrome.
[Chorus]
Oh, what has become of the old Rose and Crown?
The Ship, the King's Arms, and the World Upside Down?
For oak, brass, and leather, and a pint of the best
Fade away like the sun as it sinks in the west.
The old oaken bar where the pumps filled your glass
Gives way to Formica and tanks full of gas
And the landlord behind, once a man of good cheer
Now just mumblеs the price as he hands you your beer.
[Chorus]
Oh, what has bеcome of the old Rose and Crown?
The Ship, the King's Arms, and the World Upside Down?
For oak, brass, and leather, and a pint of the best
Fade away like the sun as it sinks in the west.
And where are the friends who would meet for a jar
And a good game of darts in the old public bar?
Well, the dartboard is gone, in its place is a thing
Where you pull on the handle and lose all your tin.
[Chorus]
Oh, what has become of the old Rose and Crown?
The Ship, the King's Arms, and the World Upside Down?
For oak, brass, and leather, and a pint of the best
Fade away like the sun as it sinks in the west.
But the worst of it all's what they've done to the beer
Their shandies and lagers just make you feel queer
For an arm and a leg, they will fill up your glass
With a half and half mixture of ullage and gas.
[Chorus]
Oh, what has become of the old Rose and Crown?
The Ship, the King's Arms, and the World Upside Down?
For oak, brass, and leather, and a pint of the best
Fade away like the sun as it sinks in the west.
So, come all you young people who like to sup ale
Lets hope for a happier end to my tale
For there's nothing can fill a man's heart with more cheer
Than to sit in a pub with a pint of good beer.
[Chorus]
Oh, what has become of the old Rose and Crown?
The Ship, the King's Arms, and the World Upside Down?
For oak, brass, and leather, and a pint of the best
Fade away like the sun as it sinks in the west.
