Comrades Page #7

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(Applause)

And finally, ladies and gentlemen,

let us thank our friend the lanternist,

who, through the power of optics

and its magical transformations,

has told the story here today.

It was almost as though he had been

present throughout himself.

(Applause)

Ars magna lucis et umbrae.

George.

(Applause and cheering)

Comrades...

.. I believe that God works by means and man.

Under such an impression,

I call upon every working man in England...

.. to shake off that supineness

and indifference to their interests

which leave them in the situation of slaves.

Has not the working man

as much right

to preserve and protect his labour...

.. as the rich man has his capital?

Such a measure, I'm well aware,

will be dreaded, reviled,

reprobated by the moneyed part of the nation.

They would devise all those schemes,

stratagems and policy

that the art and cunning of man can invent...

.. to thwart and retard it.

But let the working classes of Britain,

seeing the necessity of acting

upon such a principle,

remembering that union is power,

listen to nothing that might be presented before

them to draw their attention from the subject,

alike despising and conquering party disputes,

personal bickerings...

.. and they will accomplish their own salvation

and that of the world.

Let every working man come forward...

.. from north to south,

from east to west.

Unite firmly but peaceably together...

.. as the heart of one man.

And then, no longer

would the interests of the millions

be sacrificed for the gain of a few.

But the blessings resulting

from such a change...

.. would be felt by us...

.. and our posterity -

even to generations yet unborn.

# We'll win the day, we'll win the day

# Though death and hell obstruct our way

# We only need to watch and pray

# And then we're sure to win the day

# And when we reach that happy land

# With flags unfurled on Zion's strand

# New land of hope, our heads we'll lay

# And shall to think we've won the day

# We'll win the day, we'll win the day

# Though death and hell obstruct our way

# We only need to watch and pray

# And then we're sure to win the day

# A poor man to labour, believe me, 'tis so

# To maintain his family is willing to go

# Either hedging or ditching to plough or to reap

# But how does he live on

eight shillings a week?

# Eight shillings a week

# Oh, how does he live on

eight shillings a week?

# So, now to conclude and to finish my song

# May the times be much better

before it's too long

# May every labourer be able to keep

# His children and wife

on 12 shillings a week

# 12 shillings a week

# His children and wife on 12 shillings a week

# And it's fare thee well, cold winter

# And fare thee well, cold frost

# Nothing have I gained

# But my true love I've lost

# I'll sing and I'll be merry

# While a caution do I see

# And I'll rest me when I'm weary

# Let him go, farewell he

# As I was a-walking

# Through a shady green grove

# He met me with a smiling face

# And gave to me the road

# He thought I would have spoke to him

# As I passed by

# But before I will humble to him

# I will lay me down and die

# To half a pound of reason

# Take a half a grain of sense

# A small sprig of time

# And as much of prudence

# And mix them up together

# As you may plainly see

# I'll defy the lad for ever

# Let him go, farewell he

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