Hard Times Of Old England

Today belongs to George Osborne, and the forecast is bleak in more ways than one. Not much else to be said really. I'll leave you with a song that dates back a full two centuries, but has sadly seemed to remain in fashion ever since.


Come all of you tradesmen who travel alone
I'm asking you now where the work has all gone
Long time I've been travelling and I cannot find none

Sing, oh the hard times of old England
In old England very hard times

Provisions you find in the shops, it is true
But if you've no money, there's none there for you
So what are poor folk and their families to do?

Sing, oh the hard times of old England
In old England very hard times

You go to the shop and you ask for a job
They answer you back with a shake and nod
Ain't it enough to make someone turn out and rob?

Sing, oh the hard times of old England
In old England very hard times

Our soldiers and sailors have just come from war
They're fighting for Queen and for country once more
Home to be starved, better stayed where they were

Sing, oh the hard times of old England
In old England very hard times

And you can see our poor tradesmen out walking the street
From morning till night for employment to seek
And scarcely have they any shoes to their feet

Sing, oh the hard times of old England
In old England very hard times

And now to conclude and to finish my song
Here's hoping these hard times will not be here long
And soon I'll have occasion to alter my song

And sing, oh the good times of old England
In old England very good times