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202 OLD ENGLAND. |
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Ob.! think us not cruel, because our allies
Are savagely scalping men, women and boys!
Maternal affection to this step doth move us!
The more they are scalped, the more they will love us!
Some folks are uneasy, and make a great pother
For the loss of one army, and half of another;
But, sirs, next campaign by ten thousands we'll slay 'em,
If we can find soldiers, and money to pay 'em.
I've sung you a song, now I'll give you a prayer; May peace soon succeed to this horrible war ! Again may we live with our brethren in concord, And the authors of mischief all hang on a strong cord.
Sing tantararara, wise all, wise all,
Sing tantararara, wise all.
1 The Halcyon days of Old England. This ballad has been attributed to Arthur Lee, who, at the time of its appearance in England, was in France.
2 About feathers and tar. The discipline of tar and feathers, that the American troops inflicted upon such disaffected persons as made themselves obnoxious to the cause of liberty, was somewhat new to the royal mind, and in England was looked upon as a most " barbarous feature in warfare." It was generally applied to the obstinate and refractory loyalists, for some petty remark or unpatriotic demon-Btration. The riflemen from the southern colonies were celebrated |
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