The Great — Reform Meeting Reform Meeting — On Monday, December 3rd, 1866
You true friend of Reform,
Just listen to my song,
And some truth in these verses will be found:
It’s the talk throughout the nation,
About the Monster Demonstration,
Announc’d to take place in Ashburnham Grounds.
Then, cheer for Reform, and on be marching!
And you will find you will weather the storm;
For depend on what I say, you will sure to gain the day,
If you will lend a willing shoulder to Reform.
Now when the Tories found,
That in Ashburnham Grounds,
England’s sons were to meet—now only mark,—
At their dirty work they got,
And determined they should not,
As if they wished another scene like Hyde Park.
But, my lads, do not despair,
There is the pure and open air,
Which belong to the great and the small,
And though our foes they make a fuss,
There our rights we can discuss,
For the song says “There’s room enough for all.”
Shall our liberties be crushed.
And be trampled to the dust,
By men who never earnt a penny in their lives?
And yet we must not meet,
Nor for our rights dare speak,
But if we cannot win, boys, we must try!
Now the Tories they do say,
If we will only wait, some day
They will give us Reform upon their plan;
But their kindness it comes slow,
And the quarters they would show,
Would be the sort the wolf he shows the lamb.
So England’s working men,
The Rights they still defend,
Of the mightiest nation in the world;
And thousands will be found,
Who will gladly rally round,
So the banner of Reform we’ll keep unfurled.
Then send the Adullamite crew,
And their pals, the Tories, too,
Headlong to Old Nick altogether,
But for men like Beale and Bright,
Let’s shout with all our might,
Here’s the good cause, Reform, boys, for ever!