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The Colliers March

John Freeth
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THE COLLIERS MARCH

The COLLIERS MARCH
Tune - - - The Staffordſhire Fox-chace


BRITONS for news upon tip-toe were got
Longing to hear from OLD GIB – or what not;
The ſummer was over, the ſeaſon unkind,
In harvest a ʃnow how uncommon to find;
The times were oppreſſive, -and well be it known,
Hunger will ſtrongeſt of fences break down;
'Twas then from their cells the black gentry ſtept out,
With bludgeons, determin'd to ſtir up a rout.

The Prince of the party, who revel'd from home,
Was a terrible fellow, and call'd IRISH TOM;
He brandiſh'd his bludgeon with dexterous ſkill,
And cloſe to his elbow was plac'd BARLEY WILL;
Inſtantly follow'd a numerous train,
Chearful as bold Robin Hood's merry men;
Sworn to remedy a capital fault,
And bring down th' exorbitant price of the MALT.

From Dudley to Walʃall they trip it along,
And 'Hampton was truly alarm'd at the throng;
Women and children, wherever they go,
Shouting out, ”O the brave Dudley Boys, O !”
Nailors and ſpinners, the cavalcade join,
The markets to lower their flatt'ring deſign;
Regulation of Conſciences holding in view, - - -
But MALTSTERS with Conʃcience have nothing to do.

Six days out of ſeven poor nailing boys get,
Little elſe at their meals but potatoes to eat;
For bread hard they labour, good things never carve,
And ſwore, 'twere as well to be hang'd as to ſtarve:
Such are the feelings in every land,
Nothing Neceſſity's call can withstand;
And RIOTS are certain to ſadden the year,
When Six-penny Loaves but Three-pounders appear.
THE COLLIER'S MARCH

The summer was over, the season unkind,
In harvest a snow how uncommon to find
The times were oppressive and well be it known
That hunger will strongest of fences break down

‘Twas then from their cells the Black Gentry stepped out
With bludgeons determined to stir up a rout
The prince of the party who reveled from home
Was a terrible fellow and called Irish Tom.

He brandished his bludgeon with dexterous skill
And close to his elbow was placed Barley Will
There instantly followed a numerous train
As cheerful as bold Robin Hood’s Merry Men.

Sworn to remedy a capital fault
And bring down th’exorbitant price of the malt
From Dudley to Wolsol they trippéd along
And Hampshire was truly alarmed at the throng.

Women and children wherever they go,
Shouting out: “Oh, the brave Dudley boys, Oh”
With Nailers and Spinners the cavalcade joined,
The markets to lower their flattering design.

Six days out of seven poor Nailing boys get,
Little else at their meals but potatoes to eat
For bread hard they labour, good things never carve,
And swore ‘twas as well as to hang as to starve

Such are the feelings in every land
Nothing necessity’s call can withstand,
And riots are certain to sadden the year
When six-penny loaves as three pounders appear.


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