Broadsides; Chapbooks; Street literature -- Great Britain
Question.--Now my child, what is your Name?
Answer.--Weathercock Johnny, alias Jack the Reformer, of the tribe of
Russellites.
Q.--Who gave you that Name?
A.--My Godfathers and Godmothers, the People of England, who are called
the great unwashed.
Q.--And what do the People of England want you to do?
A.--First, they want to amend my ways, which they say are in a most
shaky condition. Secondly, to take a few of Palmerston’s pills, which
they say will invigorate my Political system. And, Thirdly, to stick
up for the Rights of the People, and speak up according to my size, as
long as I remain in office.
Q.--And do you think that you are capable of holding firm by the reins,
and steer the good coach Constitution, in safety through the mud and
mire of these macadamized times, and not as you have done before,
getting your unlucky feet in a plug-hole.
A.--Yes, I do, so help my tater,
Try me, and I’ll prove a first-rater.
There’s a good lad! now stir your young self, and let your conduct be
a shade better than it has been, and you will earn our praise, and the
nation will reward your services with a putty medal.
So be it.
Now let us sing for the amusement of this respectable congregation, and
the benefit of own pockets, a few lines written to uncommon metre.
Now attend to good advice,--Little Johnny, O,
And I’ll tell you what is right,--Little Johnny, O,
Hold your head up like a man,
Keep the whip in your right hand,
And be honest, if you can,--Little Johnny, O.
Curtail the ladies crinoline,--Little Johnny, O,
And save us from broken shins,--Little Johnny, O,
And as Gladstone gave us cheap tea,
From heavy taxes set us free,
And crush monopoly,--Little Johnny, O.
Save us from starvation’s evil,--Little Johnny, O,
And from meat that’s got the measles,--Little Johnny, O,
Let the poor have wholesome food,
And a loaf that’s cheap and good,
Gain our praise I’m sure you would,--Little Johnny, O.
Now Johnny dear, be brave,--Little Johnny, O,
From the Fenians, pray us save,--Little Johnny, O,
If at bogey’s game they play,
They will better know some day,
It will end in the cabbage garden way,--Little Johnny, O.
In Yankee Land, I hear,--Little Johnny, O,
They talk big with privateers,--Little Johnny, O,
You had better send word out,
If they get Johnny Bull’s shirt out,
He will put them to the rout,--Little Johnny, O.
Then put your shoulder to the wheel,--Little Johnny, O,
Then it’s pressure you won’t feel,--Little Johnny, O,
Flare up and be a brick,
And none of your shuffling tricks,
Or you had better cut your stick,--Little Johnny, O.
Let us say,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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