Labour Song.
Toil, brothers, toil ; sing and toil,1
From earliest dawn till dark.2
What matter, though kings and priests should spoil ;3
You have nothing to do but work.4
Go form the richest fabrics,5
And the costliest robes of gold,6
To deck the legal plunderers,7
Whilst you’re shivering with the cold.8
Sing, brothers, sing ; sing and toil,9
Though ragged and scant of bread ;10
You are honoured—the palace deigns to spoil 11
From the workman’s lowly shed.12
Toil, brothers, toil ; let the anvil ring13
With clanging blows and strong ;14
Go forge the ponderous bars, and sing15
(As you pant and sweat) a song.16
Then sing, brothers, sing ; “ the good and great,”17
Who tenant the pay saloon,18
“ Graciously” stoop from their high estate,19
And rob you.—Blissful boon !20
Toil, brothers, toil ; sing and toil ;21
Draw not the avenger’s blade,22
Though perjured legislators spoil23
Your famishing childrens’s bread.24
Raise palace homes upon the land,25
Send navies ocean o’er ;26
The sickle wield with study hand,27
The sparkling mine explore.28
Toil, brothers, toil ; from dawn to dark,29
Let not the heart complain,30
Though you have hardly aught, save work ;31
The idler all the gain.32
Then toil, brothers, toil ; sing and toil,33
Let not a curse be said,34
Though mitred knaves, and princes, spoil35
Each comfort from your shed.36
Sing, brothers, sing ; I’d have you sing,37
But let your ditties be38
Such anthems as can only ring39
From spirits that are free.40
Oppression’s funeral dirge go sing,41
And peal the dying knell42
Of plunder, and each courtly thing,43
Such songs would suit you well.44