Yakitori Song

Irish composer Patrick Dexter treats us to some fun with this light-hearted piece dedicated to “the grilled bird”.

Yakitori Song

Come let me tell you a story
Of a food fit for both Whigs and Tories.
With fine wines or porter,
oh how it will make your mouth water,
It’s the delicacy called Yakitori

It’s the greatest food, haven’t you heard?
Japan’s cuisine of fine grilled bird.
This grilled meat’s an exception
It’s seasoned to perfection
Ce’est manifique, bon appétit! how superb!

What’s that you implore?
You’d like to hear some more??

At a summer festival
or late at a convenience store,
On the street where you can dine
Or at a fancy place for wine

The skewers flame and glasses clink
You meet with friends to have a drink
the atmosphere of joy and jokes
The homely smell of charcoal smoke

Yakitori!
A humble tasty grilled meat dish
Yakitori!
Such a flavour can’t be missed
Yakitori!
In soya glaze the bird is dressed
Yakitori!
This is chicken at its best!

But wait! There’s more to the story.
More to tell of this dish in all its glory
It may seem rudimentary
but the preparation is exemplary!
Oh how you’ll love Yakitori!

What’s that you implore?
You’d like to hear some more?

The chicken masterfully prepared
On bamboo squeezers it is aired
Aroma of this humble dish
Is everything that you could wish

Some like it with wasabi
or with a glass of warm sake
Have a momo with some shio,
Sasami or Tebasaki

Yakitori!
A humble tasty grilled meat dish
Yakitori!
Such a flavour can’t be missed
Yakitori!
In soya glaze the bird is dressed
Yakitori!
This is chicken at its best!

Now our story is complete
Be sure to try this tasty treat
It’s the food food fans aspire
The Izakaya’s charcoal fire!

Yakitori!
A humble tasty grilled meat dish
Yakitori!
Such a flavour can’t be missed
Yakitori!
In soya glaze the bird is dressed
Yakitori!
This is chicken at its best!

Yakitori!
A humble tasty grilled meat dish
Yakitori!
Such a flavour can’t be missed
Yakitori!
In soya glaze the bird is dressed
Yakitori!
This is chicken at its best!