about
Our 4th collaborative song takes a turn into folk-rock territory with a tale from English 19th Century History.
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Sleevenotes :
"Hush a bye baby, on the tree top,
When you grow old your wages will stop,
When you have spent the little you made
First to the Poorhouse and then to the grave" (Traditional)
The huge social and economic upheaval associated with the Industrial Revolution resulted in mass unemployment and the creation of a large underclass of the destitute.
The Workhouse was seen to provide a solution to this problem, with the harsh regime being specifically intended to ensure that only the truly desperate would apply for shelter.
Families that entered the system were forcibly separated and the individual members were assessed for their ability to work.
Fourteen hour working days were commonplace and children were not exempt in any way.
The policy of each individual House was decided by a Board of Guardians, fine and worthy Victorian citizens all.
Increasingly the workhouses became refuges for the old, infirm and disabled members of society,
with separate wings or "Idiot Wards" being established for the "weak of mind".
Changes in the law resulted in their formal abolition in England in the 1930s.
Of course, this is a long time ago and such callous, insensitive treatment of life's unfortunates could never return.
Could it?
lyrics
Work Will Set You Free
When my story started, a very different man was I
So much has changed for me in so little time
Older now and sadly wise
The years have worn me down
I'll take this chance to tell my tale if you'll allow
None could stop the factory rise, without a voice we were swept aside
Men who swore to break the frames were crushed by Redcoats standing by
Left with the clothes I stand in
All I held dear is lost now
Lend me your ears and heed my warning while you can
Huddled at the workhouse gates, a family torn apart just waits
Praying that the stories can't be true
Through the workhouse gates, equality for all inmates
Knowing now the stories are all true
Behold the Master of this House, The Guardians' Rules are your world now
All men that can work say your goodbyes, All women and children dry your eyes!
Now sort out the lame and weak of mind, Life here is full and fair and kind
No place for laments, no mercy pleas, Beginning today Work Will Set You Free....
Now you've heard my story, it happened long ago
Different times and different laws, so far from all you know.
How could this relate to you? Those days could not return!
Consigned to dusty history books, What lessons can you learn?
Don't disregard those history books, there are pages left to turn.....
credits
from
The Wistman Tales,
released September 11, 2015
Gordon Midgley : Music, Lyrics & Production
Nathan Jon Tillett : Vocals
license
all rights reserved