Chester Lads for Ever

Thro’ Durham County, fam’d of old,
Thro’ England, be it ever told,
That Chester lads stood forth so bold,
And Chester lads for ever.

When Frenchmen heard of their intent,
To Bonaparte in haste they sent,
And said, since Chester thus is bent,
We are ruin’d, sirs, for ever.

O dreadful news! said Bonaparte,
Enough to break each Frenchman’s heart;
But let us try, with all our art,
Those Chester lads to sever.

Then firmly spoke Monsieur Otto,
The Chester lads you little know,
If them you think to overthrow;
For they will fight for ever.

Tho’ many millions you have slain,
Yet what you’ve done is all in vain;
You’ll never beat the Chester men,
Nor cope with them—no never.

The Consul call’d a council straight,
And long and learned the debate;
Each Frenchman tried, with all his weight,
How France he might deliver.

The issue of this parliament
Was peace—the glorious grand event,
Which gave each British heart content.
And Chester lads for ever!!!