I am finding zero for chords and nowhere to hear the song. I expect maybe one of the people into trad will be along to pop chords in. Let's keep this thread up for a few days. I have cut and paste the lyrics in that link. The broadside that's from was printed in 1888. I may have screwed up the 1850s date in the previous post.


PRESENT TIMES, OR EIGHT SHILLINGS A WEEK.*

Come all you bold Britons, where'er you may be,
I pray give attention, and listen to me,
There once was good times, but they're gone by complete,
For a poor man lives now on Eight Shillings a week.

Such times in old England there never was seen,
As the present ones now; but much better have been,
A poor man's condemned, and looked on as a thief,
And compelled to work hard on Eight Shillings a week.

Our venerable fathers remember the year,
When a man earned three shillings a day, and his beer.
He then could live well, keep his family neat,
But now he must work for Eight Shillings a week.

The Nobs of "Old England," of shameful renown,
Are striving to crush a poor man to the ground,
They'll beat down their wages and starve them complete,
And make them work hard for Eight Shillings a week.

A poor man to labour (believe me 'tis 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.

In the reign of old George, as you all understand,
Here then was contentment throughout the whole land,
Each poor man could live, and get plenty to eat,
But now he must pine on Eight Shillings a week.

So now to conclude and finish my song,
May the times be much better, before it is long,
May every labourer be able to keep
His children and wife on Twelve Shillings a week.