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Brentford Pubs Poem

Whether the pubs all existed at the same time is doubtful, but one has to admire the effort in creating the poem.

To find out more about many of the local pubs and breweries try Gillian Clegg's book "Brentford & Chiswick Pubs".

Thanks to the person who sent a typescript copy of the poem in 2004. See also another version of the poem, provided by Peter Ranshaw.

Address: KBR = Kew Bridge Road; LR = London Road; the rest are High Street.

Notes

1. The Jolly Tar in the poem was before The Lamb; I thought the poem might be referring to the Royal Tar at no. 3, but this lay beyond The Lamb: so perhaps the Jolly Tar was a different pub. (But then why not mention the Royal Tar?)
2. The Glittering Star is a mystery. Next to the Half Moon and Seven Stars was the Royal Hotel, which was never known as The Star. There was a Star Brewery in the mid C19 but it was in Boston Manor Road (B22).
3. The Red Lion at no. 318 (Old Brentford)
4. There was a beerhouse at around no. 72 in 1841 - 1861 (before the High Street was numbered) and it appears to be in about the right place to be the Britannia
5. A beerhouse was established at no. 98 by 1841; in the 1881 census it was named as The BarleyCORN
6. The Red Lion at no. 197 (New Brentford)
7. You would come across the Grand Junction Arms before the Magnet and Lord Nelson
8. I have not found The Standard on London Road Isleworth

Another version

"When I was knighted with a Star and Garter,
I was pushed into an Express.
On my way to Oxford and Cambridge
I smashed into a Plough,
And stood by the side of the Wagon and Horses
With a Lamb by the side
Receiving a Salutation.
Presently Fox and Hounds dashed by
A beautiful Hand in Flower.
When I met the Marquess of Granby
I fell in to the Queen's Arms
Tugging with a Barge Aground.
A Bull stared me in the face
As I crossed by the Brewery Tap.
The Prince of Wales stood the other side.
Up above was a Half Moon and Seven Stars,
With a Glittering Star by its side.
Cross yonder was a Drum
Attacked by a Red Lion.
When I reached Alexandra
I shook hands with George IV.
He advised me to salute the Waterman's Arms.
Then I was back into the King's Arms.
Up went a roaring Cannon
At the Rising Sun.
I tried to lift One Ton
While Britannia stood one side.
I met the Duke of Cambridge.
He old me he had lost his Feathers.
A little beyond a Beehive
There was a Black Boy and Still
Playing with a Catherine Wheel.
As I crossed to the Barley Mow
There was a magnificent Castle.
Near by stood a Red Lion
With Three Pigeons flying overhead
With Magpie and Stump
And Magpie and Crown.
Two Black Boys were ringing Six Bells.
Standing staunch was the Magnet with Lord Nelson.
I arrived at the Junction Arms,
Calling on the Duke of Northumberland,
With the George and Dragon nearby.
The Standard was flying high.
There was an Angel of peace
When a Coach and Horses passed by.

Published December 2008, updated October 2010