Lyr Add: Congratulations on a Late Acquittal 1843

14 Oct 05 - 01:10 AM (#1582822)
Subject: Lyr Add: Congratulations on a Late Acquittal 1843
From: GUEST

  [A historical Air -- 'Villikins and His Dinah' (Ould Orange Flute)]
  
      C         F        G7           C
  Ye People of England exult and be glad,
                       Am           G         7
  For ye're now at the will of the merciless mad.
       Am         Em             F        G7
  Why say ye that but three authorities reign-
          C             F         G7          C
  Crown, Commons, and Lords!--You omit the insane!
  
  They're a privileg'd class, whom no statute controls,
  And their murderous charter exists in their souls.
  Do they wish to spill blood-they have only to play
  A few pranks-get asylum'd a month and a day
  
  Then heigh! to escape from the mad-doctor's keys,
  And to pistol or stab whomsoever they please.
  No the dog has a human-like wit in creation
  He resembles most nearly our own generation
  
  Then if madmen for murder escape with impunity,
  Why deny a poor dog the same noble immunity
  So if dog or man bit you, beware being nettled,
  For crime is no crime-when the mind is unsettled.
  
  (repeat first verse)
  

[Campbell, London Standard. p.1, col.1 (March 7, 1843). Based on the unpopular aquittal of the murder of Robert Peel's secretary, by reason of insanity, of D. McNaughtan]

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14 Oct 05 - 01:03 PM (#1583130)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Congratulations on a Late Acquittal 1
From: Joe Offer

Where did you find the lyrics? I can't imagine you were reading the March 7, 1843, edition of the London Standard. Was there a tune included? When you post a song, please give us all the information that's available to you. It helps people who might want to follow up.
-Joe Offer-

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18 Oct 05 - 10:04 AM (#1585295)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Congratulations on a Late Acquittal 1843
From: Jim Dixon

I can't imagine the 1843 London Standard included chords, either.

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