A New Song to the Memory of the Late — R. Cobden, Esq., M.P.
“HE GAVE THE PEOPLE BREAD.”
TUNE—“FARMER’S BOY.”
Come mourn ye sons of Britain all,
The fact that Cobden’s dead:
Come sing his deeds, come praise his worth,
“He got the people bread.”
O death why didst thou snatch away
The best of England’s seed?
Why lay thy hand upon his brow?
“He gave the people bread.”
If ever man deserved a name,
Who did the people lead,
’Twas Richard Cobden known to all,
“He gave the people bread.”
His generous, loving, feeling heart
Brought blessings on his head,
Because he fought a long lifetime,
“To give the people bread.”
He lived a life of doing good,
This was his much loved creed,
Untiring zeal his labours crown’d
“To get the people bread.”
Yes, bread untax’d that all might live,
In every time of need;
Amidst the strife with truth as guide,
“To get the people bread.”
He’s now enshrin’d in the cold grave,
Which Kings and princes dread;
He died in peace, he smil’d at death,
“He’d gained the people bread.”
For ever shall his name endure,
Tho’ numbered with the dead,
His name through earth’s immortalised,
“He got the people bread.”