Old Hertfordshire News

 The St Albans Pub Song

Herts Advertiser, 26th January, 1884

ST ALBANS LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ ASSOCIATION

The second annual dinner of this Association, which was established in November, 1881, was held on Wednesday evening, at the King’s Head Inn, when there was a good gathering of members and friends, and a highly enjoyable evening was spent. Mr. S. M. White, (ex-Mayor of St Albans) presided and was supported on the right hand by Mr. A. Grace (president of the Association), and on the left by Mr. G. Annesley (solicitor to the Association). Mr James Gentle was in the vice-chair, and among those also present were Messrs W. Baum (vice-president and treasurer), A. H. Blake, Kinmonth, Matthews, Alfred Mardell (secretary of the Association), S. R. Attwood, H. Ellery, Wood, F. Norman, Sergt. Page of the Volunteers, Deamer, Taphouse, Jenkinson, T. Martin, Charlton, King, Stephens, Freeman, G. Kilby, Fisher, G, Anderson, Gurney, Slaughter, Marlbrow, Dennis, C. Everett, Atkins, Waller, G. W. Plows, Shore, Altham, Seabrook, Kerrison, G. Pew, and Jackson. A really excellent dinner was provided by Host T. Duke. …

Mr. G. Hamlyn, of the Herts Advertiser, responded to the toast of "The Press"

… Various very entertaining songs were rendered between the toasts, Mr Batchelor, Wheathamstead, presiding at the pianoforte. The following was a special composition for the occasion, the work of and sung by "Baron" Martin.

THE CITY PUBS

I’ll mention the name of each Pub in the Town,
North-Western, The Marlborough, The Anchor, The Crown,
The Malster, The Post Boy, The Trumpet and then
White Hart, Two Brewers, and the famous Peahen.

Cross Keys, Potter’s Arms, and the Queen’s Hotel
The Duke, Bat and Ball, The Lamb, and The Bell;
The White Horse, The Wheat Sheaf, and Queen Adelaide,
The Cock, and The Peacock, and the naughty Mermaid.

The two Red Lions and the Fleur de Lis,
The Boot and New Inn, and the old Crab Tree;
The Wellington Inn, King’s Head, and King Will.,
The Old Rising Sun, and the Little Windmill.

The Plough, The Harrow, The Stag, and the Hope,
The Bull, and Victoria, and the old Antelope;
The Vine, and Black Horse, Sugar Loaf, and Green Man,
The George, and George Tap, King’s Arms, and The Swan.

The Farrier’s Arms, the Verulam also,
The Rule and Compass, and the little black Crow,
The Lower Red Lion, Royal Oak, and the Queen,
The Cock and Flower Pot near the Woodman is seen.

Down to the Blue Anchor I have often gone,
And to The Black Lion, and Old Unicorn;
To The Rose and Crown, and little Six Bells,
Then back to The Painter to see Mrs. Wells.

The Blacksmith’s Arms are close to his shop,
Then we go to The Sailor Boy, there must we stop;
We pass by the Cricketers on our way back,
And find The Beehive behind The Wool Pack.

There’s old Garibaldi with a flaming red coat,
The savage White Lion and the tame little Goat;
The Hare and the Hound are in Sopwell Lane still,
And the two Fighting Cocks are down by the Silk Mill.

There’s The Prince of Wales and Crystal Palace,
The young Farmer’s Boy - the old Steeple Chase;
The Acorn, The Alma, The Eagle and Child,
And bold Robin Hood of the Forest so wild.

The Midland Inn and the Midland Hotel,
Three beershops kept by Blanks, Luck, and Bell;
The White Hart Tap is not in my list,
The old Golden Harp I nearly had missed;
Two in Pound Field whose signs I’ve forgot,
And the Pineapple is the last of the lot.

The song also is reproduced in an attractive booklet Historic Pubs and Inns Trail, published by the St Albans City and District Council. My copy is dated 1997-8 and was picked up free from the St Albans Information Office, in the Old Town Hall, St Peter's Street.

See The Inns & Public Houses of St Albans  in the 19th Century