The Bill with the Franchise So Low

Ye beggars & blackguards of every degree
Ye ruffians & rascals sing chorus with me
   In praise of the bill with the franchise so low.
Ye cobblers and tinkers, old clothesmen & all
Ye caddies and scaffengers hark to my call
Ye publicans shout & ye sinners rejoice
Thieves pickpockets pimps lift together your voice
   Huzza for the bill with the franchise so low!

O when will time hasten the glorious day
When we shall have every thing quite our own way
   All under the bill with the franchise so low.
When order & law may be safely defied
When physical force shall the contest decide
When in riot & drunkenness round we shall roll
And a sprig of shilelah shall settle the poll
   All under the bill with the franchise so low.

No aristocrat then will dare utter a word!
The voice of the people alone shall be heard!
   All under the bill with the franchise so low.
If to vote against us any gentleman tries
Our brickbats shall level his nose to his eyes
Or o'er the North Bridge we may tip him him a dance
Even Jeffrey and Murray must just take their chance
   All under the bill with the franchise so low.

Stockbridge & Jamaica Street now will outface
The gentry of King Street and proud Moray Place
   All under the bill with the franchise so low.
In what thousands the Cowgate and Canongate send
The High Street from closes and wynds without end
What packs from the Bow and Grassmarket unkennel
BurkeÕs corner Mainpoint, Potterrow & the Vennel
   Voting under the Bill with the franchise so low;

No tax then on whisky no taxes on ale
No taxes on knowledge no going to jail
   All under the bill with the franchise so low.
No Sheriff no Bailies no city police
No Ministers' stipend our pockets to fleece
No fiscals no judges to hold up the rod
No King, Lords or Commons no Nothing by God
   All under the bill with the franchise so low.

• Tune gif midi mov

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Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin