Oxford Cheese Makers Song

When Father Ranney left the States In Canada to try the fates, He settled down in Dereham, Then no dairyman lived near him. He was the first there to squeeze His cows milk into good cheese, And at each Provincial Show His famed cheese was all the go. CHORUS. Then long life to Father Ranney, May he wealth and honor gain, aye ! He always took the first prize, Both for quality and size ; But many of his neighbors Now profit by his labors. And the ladies dress in silk From the proceeds of the milk : But those who buy their butter, ' How dear it is,' they mutter. CHORUS. Then long life to Father Ranney, May he his health retain, aye ! Farmers now can not be beat With their cheese and their wheat, Though now their greatest care is For to watch o'er their dairies ; They carefully fill their mows With provender for their cows, And they thus enrich the soil With much profit for their toil. CHORUS. We will sing this refrain, aye, Long life to Father Ranney. The motto, 'Union is Strength,' Is carried out at length In the most compact array At every cheese factory. You'll see without going as far as There is one kept by Harris, The factory of Ingersoll, Just out at the first toll. CHORUS. May he never suffer pain, aye, The father of cheesemen, Ranney. Or you may go all the way To see one kept by Galloway, And out in the Norwiches Dairymen are making riches; And honor has been won By Harvey Farrington ; The same path is trodden By folks about Culloden. CHORUS. May his strength never wane, aye, The great dairyman, Ranney. And of late we saw some Very good cheese from Lawson ; All around Mount Elgin Dairymen have well done; And out in East Nissouri They make some scores a day ; From Jarvis and Elliott Some good cheese is bought. CHORUS And we will all remain, aye, Indebted to Father Ranney. Now we close this glorious theme, This song of curds and rich cream, Subject worthy of our muse, You can buy your hoops and screws, Boxes and vats, all things like these, In Ingersoll, great mart for cheese ; Here buyers all do congregate, And pay for cheese the highest rate. CHORUS. So we call on you again, aye, To honor Father Ranney.