London Socialist Historians Group
Historians call for singing of Tyrants of England rather than One Britain, One Nation
The London Socialist Historians Group, which organises the socialist history seminar at the Institute of Historical Research at London University, has called for the traditional song, the Tyrants of England to be sung on Friday rather than Gavin Williamson’s One Britain, One Nation ditty.
The song, formally called the Hand-loom weavers lament, dates back to the Luddite period in British history around the time of Peterloo in 1819 and is still sung in folk clubs.
It is one of the most well-known English working-class songs and the words are quoted in full in E P Thompson’s Making of the English Working Class.
The chorus is
You tyrants of England! Your race may soon be run.
You may be brought unto account for what you’ve sorely done.
The historians say that when first sung in the early decades of the nineteenth century it was seen as a truly patriotic song, defending the principles and livelihood of the Freeborn Englishman against those who were trying to sweep away traditional rights and living standards and introduce a system of market capitalism.
LSHG Convenor Dr Keith Flett said, the Tyrants of England sums up well the Government of which Gavin Williamson is a part. What’s more unlike like his little ditty it has a two hundred year history as a truly patriotic English song, calling out political and economic oppression
You gentlemen and tradesmen that ride about at will,
Look down on these poor people. It’s enough to make you crill.
Look down on these poor people, as you ride up and down
I think there is a God above will bring your pride quite down.
Chorus
You tyrants of England! Your race may soon be run.
You may be brought unto account for what you’ve sorely done.
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