Subject: Coronation Day in Newcastle
From:
Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 02:32 PM
Coronation Day at Newcastle
;Upon the nineteenth of July
The Castle guns did rend the sky,
St. Nicholas' bells did briskly ring,
And George the Fourth was crown'd our king;
But those possess'd of feelings fine
Will ne'er forget that day on Tyne. For days, within the 'Spital green,
In ribbands deck'd were Bullocks seen,
And on their horns a royal corwn,
To mock some Cuckold of renown;
And all, whose thoughts agree with mine,
Will say he's nearer Thames than Tyne. Humanity, with pitying gaze,
Beheld the victims fondly graze
Round the infernalfurnace pile,
Where onewas shortly doom'd to broil,
Purpos'd to feed the humble swine
That dwelt upon the banks of Tyne. Blush, ye great Ruleers of the town,
Behold your nauseous, loathsome boon!
See men, with manners more discreet,
Disgusted, spurn your beastly treat!
And know, all you who term us swine,
That Reason rules the sons of Tyne. Give heed to this, Worhsipful Mayor,
Though we're reduc'd by taxes bare,
Our British bosoms still contain
Hearts sound as his with golden chain!
May freedom's rays, whichbrighter shine,
Adorn each manly breast on Tyne. It adds but little to your praise,
To see your lavish, wasteful ways,
To see a keelman, from his huddock,
Within your wine-trogh wash his buttock,
Which ne'er before was drench'd in wine,
But often plung'd in coaly Tyne. What did your wilful waste avail?
Your fountains running wine and ale?
The bronzed dome, the glitt'ring crown,
Torn by an enrag'd people down?
Who cheering hail'd Queen Caroline,
Borne by the blooming fair on Tyne. What would an untaught Heathen said,
To see such brutal scenes display'd?
Is this hte land, he would reply,
That teaches Christianity?
Such might suit yon wild shores of mine,
But shame Great Britain and the Tyne. The money wasted on the ground,
Had it been wisely dealt around
Amongst the needy poor, half-starv'd--
A thousand pounds would thousands serv'd;
Extravagance was their design,
Who rul'd Newcastle upon Tyne. -In: The Newcastle Song Book or Tyne-Side Songster., W&T Fordyce
Newcastle Upon Tyne.
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sj
