The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #169601   Message #4099656
Posted By: GUEST,watcher
28-Mar-21 - 08:52 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Foster's Mill
Subject: RE: Origins: Foster's Mill
https://www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/wakefield-history/essays-on-aspects-of-wakefield-history/the-luddite-risings-of-1812/

suggests the song was based on historic fact. Horbury is near Wakefield in West Yorkshire.


A Luddite song

Come all you croppers stout and bold
Let your faith grow stronger still
Oh the cropper lads in the County of York
They broke the shears at Foster’s Mill

The wind it blew the sparks they flew
Which alarmed the town full soon
And out of bed poor people did creep
And run by the light of the moon

Around and around they all did stand
And solemnly did swear
Neither bucket not kit nor any such thing
Should be of assistance there

Around and around we all will stand
And sternly swear we will
We’ll break the shears and the windows too
And set fire to the tazzling mill