UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Sunday 17 July 2011

Tolpuddle Man by Graham Moore

Farewell to my family, it's now I must leave you
That far fabled shore in chains we shall see
Although we are taken, do not be mistaken
As brothers in union, we shall be free

They can bring down our wages,
And starve all our children.
In chains they can bind us and steal all our land.
They can mock our religion,
From our families divide us,
But they can't break the oath of a Tolpuddle man.

To those who rule us we are the dissenters;
Do your duty, be grateful, don't complain we are taught.
For God in His wisdom has divided this kingdom
For few to have much while so many have naught:

As brothers and sisters with an oath we will bind us;
The labouring poor in all England shall rise.
Though Frampton has framed us, they never will tame us,
Arise men and women; we'll yet win the prize

http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/