When this old hat was new

[struggle4progress]

... Oh tis almost fourscore years ago the truth I will declare
When men they took each other's words: they thought it very fair
No note or bonds they did require, men's words they were so true
That was all in my youthful days when this old hat was new ...

The farmer at the board it stood, the table for to grace.
And greets all as they came in: each took his proper place
And the wife she at the table stood gave to each man his due
Such plenty aye did then abound when this old hat was new

The times are gravely altered and the poor are quite put off
They now receive their wages like beggars at the door
Into their houses we do not go, though we are but few
And it was not so when Bess did reign or this old hat was new

The commons they are taken in and the cottages pulled down
And Mother's got no wool to spin her linsey-woolsey gown
The winter's cold, and the clothing thin, and blankets are they few
We were clothed, all back and skin, when this old hat was new

[struggle4progress]

1. Gallant poacher

... Now me and five more a-poaching went
To get some game was our intent
Our goods were gone and our money all spent
We had nothing left to try

Now the moon shone bright, not a cloud in sight
Oh the keeper heard us fire a gun
To the spot he quickly run
He swore, before the rising sun
That one of us should die ...