THE MECHANICS' PROCESSION;
Or, A Trip to South Shields.
Tune—"The Bold Dragoon."
Let gowks about Odd Fellows brag,
And Foresters se fine—
Unrivall'd the Mechanics stand,
And long will o'er them shine;—
With belts of blue, and hearts so true,
They far outrival every Order—
Their praise is sung by every tongue,
Frae Lunnin toon reet ow'r the Border.
Whack, row de dow, &c.
O had you seen our Nelson lads
When Nunn[33] brought up the news
He said, let us be off to Shields,
Our brothers' hearts to rouse;
Our Tiler drew his sword, and cried,
Let banners wave and loud drums rattle—
Whene'er Mechanics are oppress'd,
They'll find us first to fight their battle!
Whack, row de dow, &c.
Three cheers we gave, when Nunn replied,
Our Albion lads do crave,
To join the Tyne and Collingwood,
All danger they would brave;
And each I. G. wad let them see,
Their hearts and souls were in the action,
They'd crush a foe at ev'ry blow,
Until that they had satisfaction.
Whack, row de dow, &c.
The ardour spread from lodge to lodge,
Each brother's heart beat high,
And down the Tyne, in steamers fine,
On rapid wings they fly;—
'Mid cannon's roar along the shore,
Our band struck up our tunes se merry—
So blythe a crew there's been but few,
Since famous Jemmy Johnson's Wherry.
Whack, row de dow, &c.
At Shields we join'd their splendid band,
And march'd in fine array—
Throughout the town, we gain'd renown,
For such a grand display:—
We smack'd their yell, and wish'd success
To each Mechanic's Lodge se clever,
And as we left the brothers cried—
O may our Order live for ever!
Whack, row de dow, &c.
Let's drink to all Mechanics true,
Upon both sides of Tyne
May peace and plenty bless their homes,
And round them long entwine;—
To Simpson te, so kind and free,
Let's give three cheers as loud as thunder—
Till echo'd back from pole to pole,
And all the world admire and wonder!
Whack, row de dow, &c.
[33] Thomas Nunn, I. G. of the Albion Lodge.