So there never was such doings in Old England before.
Now beef has come to fourpence a pound, It’s a pity you should want, Folks talk about America! But don’t you Emigrate. But stop at home in England, If you’ve any work at all, For provisions will be cheap, If wages be but small.
The Butchers now they may give o’er, Selling their stinking meat, For there’s many a hundred weight been sold That never was fit to eat; And now when you do walk the street, If you should happen to turn your eye, It’s how-do-you-do? good morning, man, As you are passing by.
There were hundreds in this country O! ’tis true what I do tell, That could not get a pound of meat, Or hardly get a smell; But since the Tariff Bill is pass’d, Many hundreds will be fed, With plenty of good pork and beef, And likewise good cheap bread.
Now beef and mutton has come down, And so is pork and flour too, Which is what this country wanted, A many years ago; The cutlers now may go to work, And grind away like bricks, For now we’ll carve with knives and forks, Instead of porridge sticks.
The farmers do not like those laws, From what I’ve heard them say, Because the corn will be so cheap, And so will straw and hay, If you buy a pennyworth of eggs, You will get three or four, And as for churning butter, Why they say they’ll soon give o’er.
So to conclude and make an end, And finish up my lines, The poor will find in England A difference in the times, For work it will be plentiful. And provisions will be low, And that is what a poor man wants, Wherever he does go.
Dear me what a change has seen our nation, Since we’ve reformed our legislation, Each M.P. as now the fashion, Brings a new bill every session. Because one did in the way of peace act, By getting past the New Police Act; Another wants a grand reversion, So brings you a Sabbath Bill Coercion!
At this you’ll laugh for its meant to gag you, This is the bill of Saint Andrew Agnew.
This worthy, pious emasculator, Who talks of setting your morals straighter, Vows by the Gods your pleasures to be balking, He’ll put a stop to your Sunday walking, When persons are preaching, then will be search time To collar them that’s walking in church time, The tenants of houses and those of floors then, Must not venture out ot doors then.