Classic Poem

Being a true Relation of the dearness of all kind of Food, to the great Grief and Sorrow of many Thousands in this Nation.
Likewise, the uncharitableness of Rich Men to the Poor. This Song was begun at Worcester, the midle at Shrewsbury, the end at Coventry by L.W.
Kind Country-men listen I pray
unto this my harmless Ditty,
Observe these words which I shall say
for it is true the mores the pity;
But chief to those that stand me by,
whether stranger or my neighbour
I think there's none that can deny
All things are dear but poorman's labour

We find that Bread-Corn now is dear,
in every Town throughout this Nation,
The Rich now poor men will not bear
because Charity's out of fashion,
Poor men do work all day and night
for that which in it hath small favour,
A Loaf of sixpence is but small
all things etc.

Beef and Mutton is so dear
a mans weeks wages cannot buy it,
all things are dear who can deny it,
But poor mens labour is too cheap
ing's dead which makes times harder
That all their pains wont find them meat
all things etc.

Cheese and Butter is so dear
you know it better than I can tell ye
y heart to hear
the poor complain thus for their belly.
And trading still continues dead,
with every one that is a trader,
That all their pains wont find them bread
all things etc.

It makes my very heart to ake,
to hear poor people thus complaining,
For all their care and pains they take,
rich men are still the poor disdaining,
But let Rich Misers consider well
the poor, and show to them some favour
Or else their soules will hang in Hell
all things etc.

Is it not sad for Parents now
to hear their children for bread crying,
And has it not for them to give
although for food they lye a dying,
Poor little Babies they must fast
although it grieves Mother and Father,
A bit of bread they cannot tast,
all things etc.

To hear the many sad Complaints
as I have heard in Town and City,
I think you'd cry as well as I,
the Rich has for the Poor no pitty
For if they work now for Rich men
theres some, will keep their Wages from them
And make them run to and agan,
Which makes the poor cry fye upon them.
all things etc.

Farmers so covetous they be
Their Corn they'l hoard for better profit
Although the Poor do fast we see,
their grain they'l keep what ere comes of it.
Whole Ricks of Corn stands in their yards
and scorns to show the Poor some favour
For some do swear they do not care
if things be dear, but poor mans labour

A Rich man there was in Staffordshire,
which is a knave, i'me sure no better
do
their Pepper,
When Wheat was sold for shillings ten
he would not Thrash, Fan, nor yet rake it
Let poor despair he oft did swear
heed keep it for a better market

Too many there is of such base men
all England round in Town and City
They'l see the poor starve at their door
before they'l shew them any pity;
For some will make poor man to work,
all day and night for little favour,
For Rich men be cruel mee see
all things be dear etc.

But thanks to God, Corn falls apace,
and all things else that's for the belly,
Yet still it doth go bad with some
although they work full hard I tell you,
Sixpence a day, is now the pay
for a days work, and held a favour
This must maintain Wife and Babes
all things etc.

So to conclude, lets be Content
with what the Lord doth please to send us,
Let us our evil lives repent
then in our woes God will defend us:
And let rich men be merciful
unto the poor stranger or neighbour,
For all do know, unto their woe
all things be dear but poor mens labour