But it reminded me of something that I had long forgotten.
Many years ago, when I was a little pig, my mother and the other sows used to sing an old song of which they knew only the tune and the first three words.
I had known that tune in my infancy, but it had long since passed out of my mind.
Last night, however, it came back to me in my dream.
And what is more, the words of the song also came back-words, I am certain, which were sung by the animals of long ago and have been lost to memory for generations.
I will sing you that song now, comrades.
I am old and my voice is hoarse, but when I have taught you the tune, you can sing it better for yourselves.
It is called 'Beasts of England'."
Old Major cleared his throat and began to sing. As he had said, his voice was hoarse, but he sang well enough, and it was a stirring tune, something between 'Clementine' and 'La Cucaracha'. The words ran:
Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland,