Words of Interest
Number 26.
NATIONAL ANTHEM OF THE ANCIENT BRITONS
Sung to the tune of Men of Harlech
What's the use of wearing braces
Vests and pants and boots with laces,
Spats and hats you buy in places
Down in Brompton Road?
What's the use of shirts of cotton,
Studs that always get forgotten?
These affairs are simply rotten
Better far is WOAD!
Woad's the stuff to show men
Woad to scare your foe men
Boil it to a brilliant blue
And rub it on your back and your abdomen.
Ancient Briton never hit on
Anything as good as Woad to fit on
Neck or knees, or where you sit on.
Tailors, you be blowed!
Romans come across the channel
All wrapped up in tin and flannel.
Half a pint of woad per man'll
Dress us more than these.
Saxon, you can waste your stitches
Building beds for bugs in breeches.
We have WOAD to clothe us, which is
Not a nest for fleas?
Roman, keep your armours,
Saxon,your pyjamas,
Hairy coats were meant for goats,
Gorillas, yaks, retriever dogs and llamas;
Tramp up Snowdon
With our WOAD on:
Never mind if we get rained or blowed on,
Never want a button sewed on,
Go it, Ancient B's.