THE FINE OLD ENGLISH TORY TIMES
(To be said or sung at all Conservative dinners)
I'll sing you a new ballad, and I'll warrant it first-rate,
Of the days of that old gentleman who had that old estate;
When they spent the public money at a bountiful old rate
On ev'ry mistress, pimp, and scamp, at ev'ry noble gate,
In the fine old English Tory times;
Soon may they come again!
The good old laws were garnished well with gibbets, whips, and chains,
With fine old English penalties, and fine old English pains,
With rebel heads, and seas of blood once hot in rebel veins;
For all these things were requisite to guard the rich old gains
Of the fine old English Tory times;
Soon may they come again!
The good old times for cutting throats that cried out in their need,
The good old times for hunting men who held their fathers' creed,
The good old times when William Pitt, as all good men agreed,
Came down direct from Paradise at more than railroad speed …
Oh the fine old English Tory times;
When will they come again!
In those rare days, the press was seldom known to snarl or bark,
But sweetly sang of men in pow'r, like any tuneful lark;
Grave judges, too, to all their evil deeds were in the dark;
And not a man in twenty score knew how to make his mark.
Oh the fine old English Tory times;
Soon may they come again!
The bright old day now dawns again; the cry runs through the land,
In England there shall be dear bread — in Ireland, sword and brand;
And poverty, and ignorance, shall swell the rich and grand,
So, rally round the rulers with the gentle iron hand,
Of the fine old English Tory days;
Hail to the coming time!
Lyrics by Charles Dickens to the tune of ‘The Fine Old English Gentleman’
Songs of the British Music Hall as no one intended them to be heard!
A London based
musical rabble (as in Websters definition of ‘a large group of loud people who could become violent.’). A group of individuals now busy dragging up evil smelling offerings from demolished music halls, deconsecrated chapels and boarded up public houses....more
The most disgraceful nonsense, recorded at a period nearly as old as us. Who let these people into the house? Buy now, at all costs! The Blood Tub Orchestra
supported by 5 fans who also own “The Fine Old English Tory Times (Free download)”
I am new to this band - what kept me? I just love this track - it has a very updated klezmer feel. I've just subscribed after reading about the group in Songlines and am pleased so far. Frank Parry