Humours of '37, Grave, Gay and Grim: Rebellion Times in the CanadasLizars, Robina
History
Humours of '37, Grave, Gay and Grim: Rebellion Times in the Canadas
Lizars, Robina
Canada -- History -- Rebellion, 1837-1838
Mackenzie also lost his place,
“_And whete and phlower_” too,
_Mud Turtle_ and his hopeful gang
Were left their deeds to rue.
And Loyalty triumphant was
In almost every place,
Its bitter foes were left at home
To batten on disgrace.
Of Doctor Duncombe must I tell,
Who off to England hies,
And thought a wondrous job to work
By pawning off his lies.
How, decked with jewels of all kinds,
He looked so mighty gay,
And how his name he quickly changed
When he got well away.
And how he met with Jocky R.,
And Josey Hume, also,
And what a jolly set they were
When planning what to do.
And soon they summ’d up all our wants
The “tottle” for to find;
Said Josey, “Soon a storm I’ll raise,”
Said Duncombe, “That is kind.
“And--for I know you never stick
At trick’ry or at lie;
I think we might make out a case
Twix’t Roebuck, you and I.”
But when they’d said their utmost say,
And vented all their spleen,
The truth it shortly came to light,
Such things had never been.
And then Sir Francis high was praised
And just applauses met,
And by his King he straightway was
Created Baronet.
Not so Lord Gosford, who, intent
His nat’ral bent to show,
The titled minion had become
Of Speaker Papineau.
In him rebellion evermore
Was sure to find a friend;
His only study seemed to be
His utmost help to lend.
It happen’d that the rebel gang
Some resolutions passed,
To which they swore that they would stick
Unto the very last.
And Melbourne then, to ease their fears,
Three knowing G’s (_geese_) did send,
To see if they could calm the French
And make their murmurs end.
They quickly came, Lord Gosford chief,
A pretty set were they,
And Jean Baptiste, he swore outright
He not a sou would pay.
Lord Johnny Russell then got wrath,
And spoke as lion bold,
That he the money soon should get
As in the time of old.
The Frenchmen at St. Charles then
Did loud assert their right;
But soon they found ’twas easier far
To make a speech than fight.
For quick the Loyalists around
Their much loved flag did rally,
The battle-shout was heard throughout
The broad St. Lawrence valley.
Corunna’s chieftain, he was there,
With gallant Wetherall,
And many loyal men, prepared
To conquer or to fall.
How British bayonets did their Work
Let razed St. Charles tell;
St. Eustache, also, where in scores
The dastard rebels fell.
Of gallant Markham would I sing,
And others if I could;
Of Weir, who most inhumanly
Was murdered in cold blood.
But soon the traitors were compelled
With grief to bite the dust;
They crouched beneath the British flag,
As every traitor must.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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