The Hard Times of Old England

Conversations I have had with family over 'ome lately reveal that England is suffering much more badly from the global recession than Canada. So when I listened to a favourite folk song over the weekend, I was so moved by the lyrics that I thought I would share them with Blighty's Blog readers.

The song was written by the folk-rock band Steeleye Span and is called "The Hard Times of Old England". I hope you enjoy the lyrics as much as I do:

Come all brother tradesmen that travel the land
Oh pray come and tell me where the trade is all gone
Long time have I travelled and I cannot find none

And sing oh the hard times of old England
in old England very hard times

Provisions you buy at the shop it is true
But if you've no money there's none there for you
So what's a poor man and his family to do

And sing oh the hard times of old England
in old England very hard times

You must go to the shop and you'll ask for a job
They'll answer you there with a shake and a nod
And that's enough to make a man turn out a rob

And sing oh the hard times of old England
in old England very hard times

You will see the poor tradesman a walking the street
From morning 'till night for employment to seek
And scarce have they got any shoes on their feet

And sing oh the hard times of old England
in old England very hard times

Our soldiers and sailors have just come from war
Been fighting for Queen and country this year
Come home to be starved better stayed where they were

And sing oh the hard times of old England
in old England very hard times

And now to conclude and to finish my song
Let us hope that these hard times they will not last long
I hope soon to have occasion to alter my song, and sing

Oh the good times of old England
in old England jolly good times!