From the Bodleian Library Broadsides: Firth c.16(262):


Stick up for the Women,
AND
NINE HOURS A DAY.

Air: Act on the Square.

1. All thro' this good old land of ours
Commotion there has been,
And in the poor men's working hours,
Great changes we have seen;
But while they struggled for their rights
And to improve their lot,
Our poor white slaves are left at home,
Neglected and forgot.

CHORUS:
Act on the square, boys; act on the square.
Stick up for the women, for that's only fair;
For a woman's the pride of the land, we all say;
Then why should she work more than nine hours a day?

2. What can a woman have to do?
The men will often say.
They only have to cook and stew
And pleasant pass the day;
But let a man just take her place
When baby begins to roar;
He'll find himself in such a mess
He'll never try no more.

3. You would first the children have to dress
And breakfast get, you know;
There's Tommy standing on his head
While Jack upsets the Poh;*
There's Sally at the water,
With firewood setting sail,
While Bobby makes an awful noise
By twisting pussy's tail.

4. At one o'clock the 'Hooter' goes.
The men come home to dine,
And if it is not ready done,
Look out then for a shine.
At five o'clock he's done his work
And then can do the grand.
While you are slaving like a Turk,
He's singing 'Happy Land.'

5. You factory girls of England now,
Who get such little pay,
The roses from your blooming cheeks
Hard work has driven away.
Oft-times to please your masters
You are working past your time,
But if you are late, they'll shut the gate
And make you pay a fine.

6. Young women then take my advice
When courting your young man:
Tell him when the knot is tied
That this will be your plan:
Eight hours for work, eight hours for sleep,
And then eight hours for play;
Sundays must be all your own,
And 'night work' double pay.


[* 'Poh' I think means the chamber-pot.]