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.