THE CASE OF REBELLIOUS MARY ANN.

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 40, 22 June 1907, Page 23

THE CASE OF REBELLIOUS MARY ANN.

[It is proposed to form a Domestic Workers' Union in Auckland. — Daily Pappr.J

Fob the Observer,

Oli ! father's got the carving kDife, A-cleaning of the spuds, And mother's got the scrubbin' brush A-cleaning father's duds. There's riots round the kitchen stove — We're doing what we can — We mustn't shirk to do the work Of bur dear Mary Ann. For Mary Ann's a Union maid Who revels in her might ; And every day she gets away Till twelve o'clock at night. And, oh, 'tis all of no avail The Union log we scan ; We cannot find a thing to bind Our scrumptious Mary Ann. The Union says she mustn't rise From off her little bed Till balf-past eight, so sister Jane Has got to rise instead. For, should you rouse your slavey — well, You're underneath the ban Of Unionists, who'll use their fists For love of Mary Ann. She has a pound of mutton chops For breakfast every day ; She eats it lying snug in bed, From off a dainty tray. And as she revels at her ease, The Herald she will sean — Without disguise they advertise For many, a Mary Ann. And father's up at half-past five — His words are rather rude, But — well, he's got to shake a leg And chop the bally wood. Then as the sluggish kitchen fire With bellows he doth fan, In bl-anky verse he'll freely curse Our precious Mary Ann. And mother's got to clean the plates And get the dinner, too, Three times a week, for Mary Ann's Got other work to do. She's got to go and curl her hair Upon the latest plan ; Right well we know she's fond of show Is good old Mary Ann. Each Sunday she has gob to get The day to spend in church, For these are Unionist demands, Tho' — well, if you should search You'll find her walking in the park Along with her young man. To church, you know, she needn't go — She's boss, is Mary Ann. She asks her sisters, cousins, aunts, And brothers in to tea ; She gives thetn dances twice a week, From half-past ten till three. She's banged our piano till the notes Have gone from white to tan ; We daren't squeak — we must be meek For fear of^Mary Ann.

She borrowed mother's Sunday hatIt gave poor ma a shock When once she met our Mary Ann A-walking round, the block. And when poor mother saw that hat, Oh ! then the fun began ; But ne'er a hope had ma to cope With wily Mary Ann. By Union's law it was decreed That Mary Ann should be Empowered to borrow anything Which she might chance to 886. And, tho' poor ma her Sunday hat With bitter grief might scan, Regrets profuse are all no use — Supreme is Mary Ann. When Mary Ann goes out to see The glories of the play, Poor father's got to watch the house As long as she's away. Be daren't go to bed — you see That poor down-trodden man Perforce must wait, however late, To let in Mary Ann. And when our Mary Ann goes forth ('Tis nearly every night), We've got to leave .some supper out To ease her appetite. 80 ma must needs manipulate The family frying-pan, For nought that's cold will suit our bold And haughty Mary Ann. She's partial, is our Mary Ann, To oysters on the shell ; She likes her glass of Quinness stout, She likes a grill as well. She likes a tasty pheasant's wing, Or dainty ortolan ; We all sit up to see her sup — Our captious Mary Ann. We pay her twenty bob a week — 'Tis rather much, I guess ; But then the Union won't allow A girl to work for less. And, oh ! she's fairly terrorised The members of our clan, We gasp and croak beneath the yoke Of strenuous Mary Ann. She only works three/hours a day, And then she's got to stop, And if she's washing dishes up She calmly lets them drop. Oh ! father's cursing round the house* And mother's pale and wan. And all because the Labour laws Have spoilt our Mary Ana. So father's got the tomahawk, And Bill has got his gun, And mother's got the kitchen tongs— There's going to be some fun. They've sallied out in bold array To carry out their plan. Alas ! Alack ! They're going to sack Our precious Mary Ann !