Colliers March

<br>The summer was over the season unkind<br>In harvest a snow, how uncommon to find<br>The times were oppressive and well it be known<br>That hunger will stronger [?] fences break down<br>`Twas then from theirselves the black gentry stepped out<br>With bludgeons determined to stir up a rout<br>The prince of the party who revelled from home<br>Was a terrible fellow and called Irish Thom<br>He brandished his bludgeon with dexterous skill<br>And close to his elbow was placed Bonny (?) Will<br>Their instantly followed a numerous train<br>As cheerful as bold Robin Hood`s merry men<br>Sworn to remedy a capital fault<br>And bring down the exorbitant price of the malt<br>From Dudley to Walso (?) they trippet (?) along<br>And Hampton was truly alarmed at the throng<br>Women and children wherever they go<br>Shouting out `Oh the brave Dudley boys! Oh!`<br>With nailers and spinners the cavalcade joined<br>The markets to lower their flattering design<br>Six days out of seven poor nailing boys get<br>Little else at their meals but potatos to eat<br>For bread hard they labor, good things never carve<br>And swore `twere as well to be hanged as to starve<br>Such other feelings in every land<br>Nothing necessities coal can withstand<br>And riots are certain to sadden the year<br>When six penny loaves are three pound as up here