While athletes at the Olympics were picking up their honours, an entertainer scooped a silver medal for writing a National Anthem for cheddar cheese.
Professional musician Dr Busker, from Rushden, proved his love for the dairy product was the recipe to his success.
The British Cheese Board wanted cheese lovers to choose their favourite tune and while the Upbeat Choir from Wanstead, East London won, it was Northamptonshire’s very own Dr Busker (aka Steven Baldock) who came second securing a quarter of the votes.
Each competitor had to write their own lyrics to one of three songs either God Save the Queen, Land of Hope and Glory or Jerusalem Dr Busker, 50, said: “I thought, I love cheddar – especially the mature stuff with a kick – and I write songs so why not give it a go.
“I only write a song about a subject if it takes my fancy and in this case it did.
“I thought doing a song to the tune of God Save the Queen was disrespectful so I decided to choose Jerusalem. When it came to doing a video for the song a farmer friend of mine said why don’t we film it in a field with cows.
“So I sang my song with an accordion and bass drum to the tune of Jerusalem in a field surrounded by cows – it was great fun.” Dr Busker has been a musical busker for 25 years and for five years before that he was a pub piano player.
He said: “When I was made redundant I decided to make it my full time job and I am booked solid.”
CHEDDAR CHEESE (SUNG TO THE TUNE OF JERUSALEM) And did those cows, in ancient times, Graze upon England’s pastures green.
And did their milk, make cheese divine, The best that England’s ever seen.
And did this cheese so smooth and gold Possess a taste so fine and grand And did they name it Cheddar cheese, For England’s green and pleasant land.
Bring me my cheese of burning gold, Bring me the taste that I desire.
Bring unto me my daily bread, That I might toast it by the fire.
I shall not eat a single bite, Nor shall a sandwich touch my hand, ’til I behold that Cheddar cheese From England’s green and pleasant land.
