Subject: An Old and Curious Song
From:
*Conrad Bladey Peasant-Inactive
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 01:46 PM
An Old and Curious Song
On the late Mr. R. Clayton being made an Alderman
Tune- The Vicar and Moses. My good Mr. Pun,
We know you like fun
And also to crack a good joke;
'Tis well known in the nation,
That our Corporation
Has long lain under a cloak. Chorus-
Fal lal de ral, &c. But after your year,
How strange 'twill appear,
(Pray Heaven it prove for your good,)
To all the whole nation,
that our CorporationWill then crouch under a Hood.* Now, we poor folks,
Who're not us'd to jokes,
But with the sweets taek the bitters--
The folks in our station
Think our Corporation
Has loong been outfitted by Fitters Oh, watty! Oh, Watty!**
Shouldst thou now see Natty,
And his clan, how thickly they lay't on;
You'd say, in their order,
Mayor, Commons, Recorder,
Are all now outwitted by Cl--n. From the days of good Walters,
To his who makes halters ***
Such changes have here taken place,
That from its high station,
Our poor Corporation
Has sunk into abject disgrace. When the Alderman's gown
Was hawk'd about town.
And none would be found for to lay't on,
Up stepp'd brother Bob,
And settled the job,
And he was dubb'd Alderman C--n. Yet think not, that though such,
He'll quit the Town's Hutch,
Or say thing threre let miscarry;
Still there he'll give law,
Rule by his cat's paw,
The ever obliging Old Harry. Ye honest electors,
Our faithful protectors,
In you there can never be blame;
As by following the Mayor.
And supporting the chair,
We always must vote for the same. Ye scumm of the bowl,
In vain you may growl,
Like the swinish group in a storm,
Nat will rule the roast,
And still make a boast,
That danger lies not in Reform**** *Alderman Hood
**ald. Blackett
***Ald. Cramlington.
****A few copies ofthe above song were printed by Mrs. Agnus about the year 1795. It was said to have been writen by the late Mr. James Davidson, attorney, author of a poem entitled "Dispair in Love, an Imprecatory Prayer", which was also printed by Mrs. Agnus- Sir Matthew White Ridley resigned his office of Magistrate about this time, observing that, "Clay from up stairs and Clayton downstairs will never do."
|
sj
