Come, cheer up, my lads, merry Christmas is near, And I hope we shall all have a Happy New Year! Then eat your plum-pudding and drink your strong ale, And may plenty and peace, in old England ne’er fail; O, still may our flag be with lustre unfurl’d! Let’s ever be ready, steady boys, steady, And true to ourselves we defy all the world. Oh, still may our flag, &c. * * * * * There are five verses in all in this imitation, which may be found in Volume III. (page 37) of _The Universal Songster_. ―――― ANOTHER NEW SONG. Come, cheer up my lads, ’tis to glory we steer, To add something new to this wonderful year. We’ll rout the old soldiers in spite of their skill, And send Brougham and Creevey to make known our will. CHORUS.――Then firm, my hearts of oak, Your votes give like Freemen, To Liberty steady, With hearts always ready, To fight and to conquer, Again and again. M’Kerrell declares when the times have proved good, The people of England have _three times_ too much food; And Gladstone, his friend――deserter of our cause―― The King’s Jester has named, to help t’make our laws. Then firm, my hearts of oak. Your votes give like Freemen, To Liberty steady, You’ll always be ready To keep out a Canning, Again and again. Then Tarleton comes forth with his vote-winning smile, “If I have turned my coat, my heart’s yours all the while; “Besides, my good friends, by constantly turning “I must keep your interest on all sides from burning. “Then listen to my ditty, “And send me up once more, “To changing sides steady, “I always am ready “To come to the side “I deserted before,” Our wise Corporation, poor Gascoyne descry―― His back one sad wound, and tearful his eye―― The flogging they gave him, his hopes had quite damped, And the fear of defeat on his visage was stamped. Cries Bourne, “My dear Gascoyne, “Don’t take it so to heart. “Indeed we didn’t mean it, “Let Hollingshead clean it, “And then, _my dear_ fellow, “You’ll soon lose the smart.”