In the Old World, in the New, Blameless mortals are but few; Men are scheming--ever dreaming Of the precious metals gleaming. Ever bent on money getting, They are fretting, they are sweating; Some are sighing, almost crying, Others cheating, others lying! Some are fasting, some are pining, Many over-drinking, over-dining; Hundreds swearing, groaning, whining, God forgetting! Joy declining! Oh, the rabble, babble, scrabble, squabble, Oh, the heart-ache, hate and strife and trouble,-- All for “filthy lucre,” that most greedy men would gladly gobble. In the New World, in the Old, Shameless wights are bought and sold; Mammon tempts them with his gold; Hungry “thralls” without positions, Preachers, paupers, venal politicians, Half-salaried clerks, quack physicians, Useless drones with fat commissions; Soulless sharks grab all below. Syndicates and trusts, they “knead the dough!” Honest labor, stands small show, For Rothschilds & Company whole nations “hoe.” Bursted banks make hard conditions, Dampen, somewhat, our ambitions, Aggravate our evil dispositions. In the Old World, in the New, Saintly “grafters” fleece the sinner crew. Labor’s hard, they know, to shirk, But the old “skin game,” can’t they work? “Gospel guides” deign not to moil, Nor earn their bread by honest toil. Converted “lambs” they will despoil, Yet oh, oh, their hands they hate to soil! Collections large they love to see, They e’en would pilfer charity! How dare, how dare they levy tax on you and me! _God’s word it should be free_, So taught the Christ, they killed at Calvary! Were, oh, were these “chosen few” but fewer! Honest men then might profit more. But long as selfish Self serves only Self, So long as preachers preach for pelf, The righteous will lag back and not lead, “The heathen” will despise your creed, And count “ye saints,” most scurvy knaves indeed. Wolves! What wolves beset both church and state! From prelate to chief magistrate, God’s debater and ye legislator Each alike to Heavy Purse will cater. Oh old Money Bags, he knows How to bribe “hobos” To vote a “single tax” That will break poor farmers’ backs And poor bachelors’ backs--by Halifax!--as well. Crush out small realty owners, Exempt large money loaners, Leave half the values unassessed, Double the rates on the rest, Limit the coinage, confiscate the lands, Collect more revenues and rents To pay--_to pay_ THE GOVERNMENT EXPENSE!