The Black Brigade.
List to the song of the Black Brigade, Those warriors brave and undismayed ; List to the wail of the unemployed Who feel in their bosoms an ac-hing void — A longing tor labour good and true, A vrißh for some hard work to do.
' Good mornin' boss ; can you give us a job ? I'm spilin' tor want of work, begob.' ' All right, my boy, you're stout and big ; I'll giro you an acre of ground to dig. Six shillings a day, besides your feed ; I take no advantage of poor men's need V ' God bless you, boss, for your generous aid ; Giro us six bob to buy a spade, And if you " tucker " on as you say. And eight hours' work makes up the day, I'll work for you till my fortune's made, And I'll souadyour praise to the Black Brigade !'
, H« got the money — he did. not stop, But marched right off — to a hardware shop ? Aknor; he had got * a soft thing on,' And inio a public-house he's gone, Whsro he 'and a brother unem^lpyed ' ■W«r» ■oonfaa VJUling their' 'aching void.' '.. --
'Tig Christmas time, ypurhearfcs again ■•■ Are filled with ' Peace and goodw ill tb-meii '' : But who to the honest poor can give ' A helping hand, while &uch wretches lire— • ' While loafers, as workers jmasquerade And blacken the fame of the Black Brigade ! '
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18881222.2.31
Bibliographic details
Observer, Volume 9, Issue 522, 22 December 1888, Page 9
Word Count
226The Black Brigade. Observer, Volume 9, Issue 522, 22 December 1888, Page 9
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