Said he: “My true and trusty friends,
Though we have promised been
Reform these many years, yet we
Reform have never seen.
“So now, my lads, no longer we
In anxious doubt must wait,
The time has come for pulling down
The Church, the Queen, and State.
“For vote by ballot we must have,
And stars and garters too,
And we must hang Sir Francis Head,
With all his Tory crew.
“I’ve written round to all my friends
That they should ready be,
And as of them we are now sure
We’ll gain the victory.
“The Tories all securely sleep,
And dream they’ve naught to fear,
Nor little think that to their end
They now are drawing near.
“John Strachan now is quite at rest,
And Robinson likewise;
But soon at Freedom’s shrine of them
We’ll make a sacrifice.
“The red-coats, too, are far away,
Removed from every station,
And now it is our time to burst
From ‘hateful domination.’
“The Yankees also are prepared
To lend a helping hand
To breed confusion and dismay
Throughout this happy land.
“And now, my friends, in right good truth,
We’ve little time to spare,
Go quick, collect your several bands
And arm them with great care.”
When he had done, all gave a shout
To show their courage high,
And then obedient to his words
In various paths they fly.