The New Borough of Nelson Tune: "St Patrick was a Gintleman."
Come, listen to my simple song with patience and attention; Keep silent every restless tongue while here with joy I mention That Nelson is my glorius theme-her charter, brief, and story- Her municipal borough scheme, in all its coming glory.
Chorus Success to Nelson's Council Board, her Aldermen, and Mayor; That they may live in sweet accord, is our united prayer.
This day with cheerful hearts we toast the Nelson Corporation (And England of that name will boast long as the earths duration); Though honours high are on her piled, in meritorious stages, She is but yet a budding child to bloom in future ages. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Young Nelson boasts an upright trade in all her various classes; Her matchless fancy goods are made by Nelson's bonny lasses, Her brilliant spots and gay sateens adorn each local heiress, Her fine jeanettes and lovely jeans would grace a Nelson Mayoress. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Your sixteen squares are full or more, without the least disguising, Where every inch counts sixty-four, or sterling counts comprising; Thus merchants get their proper dues, goods are what you define them, And Oldham's honest thirty-twos are just as they consign them. Success to Nelson's, &c.
From right your tradesmen never flinch, sound principles impel them, Their warp and weft in every inch are truly as they sell them. These truths are clear, which I record, with your entire permission, No agent ever doubts their word, or charges imposition. Success to Nelson's, &c.
The Queen that wears the British crown has granted you a charter, The reason is that Nelson town is sound in every quarter; Then cast away all care and gloom, throughout the coming winter, And may you clear in every loom, a shilling on each printer. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Expand your wings, ye sage-like Board, in neighbourly alliance, But take care not dear old Barrowford without her full compliance. The lovely vale might joy reflect with her green banks and bowers, Her generous heart and intellect would raise your mental powers. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Her stately piles of ancient halls would throw a lustre o'er you, Her healing springs and waterfalls would dance with joy before you! The banks of Hutherstone would ring with stock-doves sweetly cooing, Above the groves where maidens sing when lovers fond are wooing. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Include fair rosy Brierfield, and lovely Reedley Hallows, Then charming Wheatley Lane would yield, which Pendle Forest follows; Spen Brook and Thornyhome you'll take without the slightest parley, And for your future honour's sake include Newchurch and Barley. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Take calm Roughlee, the boggart's lair, where witches walked abroad in, And Blacko bright, and Foulridge fair, and Laneshawbridge and Trawden, And bonny Colne, which monarchs prized and poured their blessings on her; Although you think she's fossilized, she still maintains her honour. Success to Nelson's, &c.
On ancient charters do not trench, for these she takes her pride in; On her impartial County Bench stern justice sits deciding; For these prerogatives she'll fight, Nelsonians may rest on; She must maintain her sacred right, of sending roughs to Preston. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Her dear old church and charming bells, with their associations, The organ's diapason swells, with pious intonations, Are sweet and sacred to the town by filial true affection; To take in Colne with her renown would be a sad reflection. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Let Nelson still discreetly reign, and hold what she possesses; In honour's path she'll yet obtain far more sublime successes. Her borders still may she extend, may all her works be thorough, And at the next Reform Bill send a member from th borough. Success to Nelson's, &c.
Old Burnley sends her love by me, and tenders you her greeting; From jealous feelings we are free at this your charter meeting; Wide may your borough still expand by well directed labour, Till Burnley grasps you by the hand a close and friendly neighbour. Success to Nelson's, &c.
for Nelson's Council thus we'll pray, in love and faith fraternal; May heaven bless their lives each day, their sins forgive nocturnal! Long may your lads be strong and true, in honour's path abiding And Nelson's bonny lasses you, be cautious in deciding! Success to Nelson's, &c.
Accept a simple poet's prayer, each Nelson saint and sinner, May every local magnate there, enjoy the chairman's dinner: My pen I now lay on the shelf, and feel a little slighted; I should have dinnered there myself, but never Gott invited!
_________________ Mel
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