Freedom & Reform
Unto these lines I’ve penned,
Listen, England’s working men,
Be united, we shall weather thro’ the storm,
Gladstone, Beales, & Bright, God save,
And your banners proudly wave,
Shout Old England for ever and Reform.
Hark to those drums so loudly beating,
See those glorious banners proudly wave,
Come men, and shout with me, Old England’s liberty,
And Reform! for Britons won’t be slaves.
Let’s be firm my boys, I say,
While the sun shines make your hay,
They’ve promis’d it long enough I vow.
At length the die is cast,
And the Lion’s woke at last,
No longer will he wait, he’ll have it now.
Fellow workmen, let them know,
We won’t have such men as Lowe,
Who treat the working classes all with scorn
Let them try with all their might,
For the working men are right,
And they’ll gain what they’re working for,
—Reform.
What stagnation through the land,
For all trade is at a stand,
While the Tory government holds the sway.
Let us join then heart and hand,
And boldly make a stand,
If we’ve only got the will we’ll find the way.
Then banish care and pain,
Never mind Old Dicky Mayne,
He says this time he’ll not interfere;
He remembers it quite well,
How the Hyde Park railings fell
We his noble staff of Poleaxes don’t fear.
Then shout with all your might,
God save Gladstone, Beales, and Bright,
Wave your banners, let your ranks closer form,
And let your watchword be:—
“Old England! Liberty!
Manhood Suffrage! Vote by Ballot! and Reform!”
H. Disley, Printer, 57, High Street, St. Giles.