Eden Project

Cornish pasty poems and songs

Ahead of the World Pasty Championships we’re holding at Eden on Saturday 3 March we’ve gathered some rhymes, songs, poems and ditties that celebrate the oggy (that’s Cornish for pasty).

Write your own pasty lyrics

Have a listen and read below, and if you think you can do better, why not post your pasty poem or song below this blog or on our Facebook Wall? We’re also inviting pasty-themed haikus on Twitter: find out how to write a haiku poem here.

Pasty songs and rhymes by Hilary Coleman of traditional Cornish band, Dalla

A Cornish Pasty, sung by Year 2 pupils from St Agnes School, Cornwall

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John Rowe, sung by the Lev Krev singers

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Pasty Seller’s Cry, sung by Hilary Coleman

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Matthew, Mark and Luke and John sung by Year 2 pupils at St Agnes School

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These songs are taken from Hilary’s Cornish songbooks for schools: Hoolybus and Lev Krev

Poem by Walter F. Gries of Marquette, Michigan, USA

I dearly love a pasty, a ‘ot leaky one;

With mayt, turmit and taty, h’onyon and parsley in ‘un

The crus’ be made weth suet, shaped like ‘alf a moon;

Crinkly h’edges, freshly baked ‘e es alway gone too soon!

Sourced via the Michigan Tech website

Ode to the Pasty by Emma Mansfield

The pasty, a laden, honest bake,

A hand made pastry wrapping veg and steak.

A pregnant old pie, that cooks in its gravy

Best fresh from the oven, when it’s moist and tasty.

Fashioned through history, eaten by all,

It’s a kind of edible, hot water bottle.

And as you bite from a Cornish, traditional dish,

Let your palate feast on a history that’s rich.

Today, yes it’s still our proud daily bread,

Keeping bakers and crimpers paid and fed.

And as you sup on this carbo-filled find

Know that it’s legacy came from our mines.

And as our mining trade wound down its roar,

The pasty was taken around the wild world o’er.

It left our shores as cousin Jack went to find

New world opportunities, digging other peoples mines.

So enjoy your pasty, it sure does fill,

It’s one of Great Britain’s most famous of meals.

It nourished our miners as they cribbed underground

And now it’s known the wide world around.

And whilst the pasty’s home sits on the edge of Great Britain

This proud much-loved place has held many hearts smitten

So enjoy your pasty and wherever you may take it

Know in your heart that only Cornwall can make it.

Published in The Little Book of the Pasty

Extract from Ode to a Cornish Pasty by James Crowden

You may sink your teeth into me

Meaty morsel, croust and crib

Skirt and tatties with a touch of swede

Peppered up, crimped and folded.

Hot stuff, hoggan, convenient, fast

Baked to a turn, you can hold me close

Warm you hands on my curved body

Slide me into your pocket.

I reared the Cornish nation,

Gave men the strength they needed

Working lodes of tin and copper

Driving stope, level and adit

Faces that have eaten a thousand pasties

Stood the test of time.

A family affair,

Smuggled overseas, secret recipes

Still brought to surface down under.

You may sink your teeth into me

Feel the afterglow deep inside.

Tasty reminder of creature comforts.

Lick your lips, lie back and think of Cornwall.

Published by Prospect Books in Open-mouthed: a cutting edge book of food poetry

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Creativity, Food

Tags:

Food, pasties, poems, poetry, songs, World Pasty Championships