The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #62628 Message #1012642
Posted By: Teribus
04-Sep-03 - 10:43 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Here come the navvies & Eight shillings
Subject: Lyr Add: EIGHT SHILLINGS
Eight Shillings? is that the one that goes something like this. I say that because its been years (around forty) since I heard it, so I can only put down the jist:
Come all you bold Britons where'er ye may be And pray give attention and listen to me There once was good times but they gone by complete For a poor man must live on eight shillings a week
The Nobs of old England of shameful renown Are tryin' to drive a poor man to the ground They beat down our wages and starve us complete And a man now must live on eight shillings a week
Such times in old England there never was seen As the present ones now how much better they've been A labouring man is looked on as a thief And compelled to work hard for eight shillings a week
For a poor man to labour believe me t'is so To maintain his family is willing to go Either hedging, or ditching, to plough or to reap But how does he live on eight shillings a week
And so to conclude and to finish my song May the times get better before too long May each labouring man keep his family neat And work for his hire for twelve shillings a week.