Ravish his ear.
From The Wreath of Freedom,
or Patriot’s Song Book.
(J. Marshall, Newcastle. 1820.)
Save Yourselves.
In 1871, Mr. Gladstone addressed a large meeting of the electors of Greenwich on Blackheath. In the course of his speech he referred to the number of reforms that had been carried out during his political career; but, he added, that whilst much remained to be done, we must not flatter ourselves that all the evils of humanity could be cured by legislation. He then quoted the first verse of the following parody, stating that he had met with it in a “questionable book.” The “questionable book” was The Secularist’s Manual of Songs and Ceremonies. Edited by Austin Holyoake and Charles Watts, with a Preface by Charles Bradlaugh. There was a loud outcry against Mr. Gladstone for quoting from such a source.
People throughout the land,
Join in one social band,
And save yourselves;
If you would happy be,
Free from all slavery,