A popular song Merchants and workers woes pre-Industrial Revolution but it shows the frustrations that helped inspire factories and streamline production as well as the desire of workers to form unions.
Wherein is exprest the craftiness and subtilty of many Clothiers in England, by beating down their Work-mens wages. Combers, Weavers, and Spinners, for little gains, Doth Earn their money by taking of hard pains. To the Tune of, Jenny come tye me, etc. Packingtons Pound, Or, Monk hath confounded, etc. With Allowance, Ro. LEstrange. By T. Lanfiere.
Excerpts from the lyrics
In former ages we usd to give,
Wherein is exprest the craftiness and subtilty of many Clothiers in England, by beating down their Work-mens wages. Combers, Weavers, and Spinners, for little gains, Doth Earn their money by taking of hard pains. To the Tune of, Jenny come tye me, etc. Packingtons Pound, Or, Monk hath confounded, etc. With Allowance, Ro. LEstrange. By T. Lanfiere.
Excerpts from the lyrics
In former ages we usd to give,
So that our Work-folks like Farmers did live;
But the times are altered, we will make them know,
All we can for to bring them all under our Bow:
We will make them ta work hard for Six-pence a day,
Though a shilling they deserve if they had their just pay:
and this is the way, etc.
But the times are altered, we will make them know,
All we can for to bring them all under our Bow:
We will make them ta work hard for Six-pence a day,
Though a shilling they deserve if they had their just pay:
and this is the way, etc.
Then next for the Spinners we shall ensue,
Wel make them spin three pound instead of two;
When they bring home their work unto us, they complain
And say that their wages will not them maintain:
But if that an Ounce of weight th[ey] do lack,
Then for to bate three pence we will not be slack:
and this is he way, etc.
Wel make them spin three pound instead of two;
When they bring home their work unto us, they complain
And say that their wages will not them maintain:
But if that an Ounce of weight th[ey] do lack,
Then for to bate three pence we will not be slack:
and this is he way, etc.
But if it holds weight, then their wages they crave,
We have got no money, and whats that youd have?
We have Bread and Bacon, and Butter thats good,
With Out-meal and Salt that is wholesome for food;
We have Sope and Candles whereby to give light,
That you may work by them so long as you have sight:
and this is the way, etc.
We have Bread and Bacon, and Butter thats good,
With Out-meal and Salt that is wholesome for food;
We have Sope and Candles whereby to give light,
That you may work by them so long as you have sight:
and this is the way, etc.
We will lighten their wages as low as may be,
We will keep them under in every degree:
and this is the way, etc.
and this is the way, etc.
And thus we do gain all our Wealth and Estate,
By many poor men that works early and late;
If it were not for those that do labour full hard,
We might go and hang our selves without regard:
The Combers, and Weavers, and Tuckers also,
With the Spinners that worketh for Wages full low:
By these peoples labours we fill up our purse, etc.
If it were not for those that do labour full hard,
We might go and hang our selves without regard:
The Combers, and Weavers, and Tuckers also,
With the Spinners that worketh for Wages full low:
By these peoples labours we fill up our purse, etc.
 |
| Lyrics and Image Source: (7) |
7. Lanfiere, Thomas. The Clothiers Delight: / OR, The Rich Mens
Joy, and the Poor Mens Sorrow. [Web] 1674-1679. http://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/31146/citation
No comments:
Post a Comment
No comments at this time. Email cmckane@live.com or pop me a message on Google+ if you have any questions. Thanks!
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.