British Things is a song from the Horrible Histories TV series. It aired in Series 1, Episode 11 on June 25, 2009.
In this song, Queen Victoria learns that many of her customs aren't so British.
Lyrics[]
Victoria: I love to be a British queen
I am Victoria, you see
Now where’s my British butler
With my British cup of tea?
Butler: Tea is not from Britain, ma’am
From India, it was brought
Yes, for your cuppa, thousands died
And many wars were fought
Victoria: British things, my British things
It seems that tea is not
British things, my British things
Butler: Can I sweeten it a jot?
Victoria: Do tell me sugar’s British, though
Butler: No, it’s Caribbean imported
For sugar in your cup of tea
Slavery’s been supported
I know it’s wrong, your majesty
But slaves in Africa
Worked hard in fields of sugar cane
To sweeten up your char
Victoria: British things...
Both: Our British things
Victoria: I thought that there were many
Both: British things, our British things
Butler: Afraid there’s hardly any
You know your British cotton vest?
Victoria: What’s wrong with it? Explain
Butler: The cotton’s from America
And picked by...
Victoria: Slaves again
Butler: Your empire’s built on fighting wars
That’s how your income’s swollen
Your British things are from abroad
And most are frankly stolen
Victoria: Whatever next? Go on! Pray tell!
Butler: Our British queen is foreign as well?
Victoria: It’s true, I am of foreign descent
Butler: And your husband, Albert?
Victoria: A German gent!
At least I’ve got a British name
Butler: Victoria’s Latin...
Victoria: That’s a shame!
Both: British things, British things
Victoria: There are none, we declare
Butler: All our favorite British things
Both: Seem to come from elsewhere!
Butler: More sugar?
Cast[]
- Sarah Hadland as Queen Victoria
- Mathew Baynton as Butler
Controversies[]
In 2020, political broadcaster, Andrew Neil, criticised the BBC due to including the Horrible Histories song, British Things, on the CBBC website, believing to spread “anti-British drivel” to mark the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.[1]
External Links[]
- British Things at Horrible Histories TV
References[]
- Guardian News and Media. (2020, February 1). Andrew Neil attacks BBC over 'anti-British' horrible histories song. The Guardian. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/feb/01/andrew-neil-attacks-bbc-over-anti-british-horrible-histories-song