To Mr. Peter Watson *
Who lays powerful Bats on the Knaves with Fire-Shovel hats on.

written in 1824.

O Watson! O Watson! what are you about?
What have you been doing to cause such a rout?
Tis said you've been giving the Clergy a clout;
Which nobody does deny.

O stop! Watson stop! O whither?--say whither
Directs your bold genius?--'twould seem you choose rather
To hammer the Parsons, instead of bend leather;
At starting you were not shy.

What tho' the good Clergy for long time have got,
At Easter, fat putllets to put in their pot,
And ta'en from the people full many a groat,
Yet why into this should you pry?

Of matters relating to Church or to State,
'Tis surely not fit you should trouble your pate;
Yet still you keep thumping, with spirit elate,
As if you would maul the whol fry.

I'd have you respect more the Lord's own anointed,
Who over your conscience to rule are appointed,
And to whom pigs and pullets are sent to be jointed,
And other good things forby.

Repent, then, and quickly pay your Easter Dues,
And to guiileless Parsons give no more abuse,
Or spiritual comfort to you the'll refuse,
and this may cause you to sigh!

For things are so chang'd since you range them a peal,
That the Clerk seems afraid through our parish to speel;
For he's look'd on no better than one come ot steal,
Which nobody can deny.

The clerk of St. John's, that he might have good luck
Employ'd a brave Noodle, whose nick-name is Pluck,
To collect Easter-ence; but the people had struck
Few, few, were brought to comply.

Now the Parsons to you attach all the blame,
O Watson, for saying they had no just claim!
Thus you've brought on yourself their holy disdain,
Yet you'll fill a niche in the Temple of Fame,
Which nobody will deny.

*Peter Watson of Chester-le-Street, Shoemaker--This person for some time, laudably exerted himself to oppose the claims of the
government Clergy to what are  called Easter dues or offerings; and by a powerful appeal to the public, succeeded in convincing
many that such claims were equally oppressive and unjust, and founded neither in the law nor the gospel.--The late
worthy Vicar of Newcastle, Mr. John Smith, actuated with the generous  feelings of a Man and a Christian, and with due deference
to public opinion, restrained the clergy in his jurisdiction from collecting these Exactions during the latter
years of his life.  To him, therefore, and to Peter Watson, in particular, who aroused the  public attention to the subject, the inhabitants
of Newcastle are indebted for being relieved from this  odious, unjust, and oppressive Clerical tax.

-H. Robson-In: The Newcastle Song Book or Tyne-Side Songster., W&T Fordyce
Newcastle Upon Tyne.