Wat Tyler's Rebellion

[struggle4progress]

... from miles around unto Blackheath
the people made their way
and John the priest of Colchester
these words to them did say
"when Adam toiled to win his bread
and Mother Eve she spun
all folk were equal one and all
and masters there were none" ...

upon the fourteenth day of June
the King rode to Mile End
and he spoke softly to us all
"I am the poor man's friend
your wrongs shall all be righted
all bondsmen be made free"
oh! curse the day we trusted him!
for he lied wickedly ...

at Smithfield next we met the King
the nobles gathered round
the Lord Mayor struck a killing blow
Wat Tyler struck the ground
our masters bared their teeth and smiled
to see our hero slain
"you have been slaves since you were born
and slaves you'll now remain" ...

the men of England long ago
rose to demand their rights
though they've been dead six hundred years
remember them tonight
they raised the flag of liberty
they fought the battle well
they died but others will arise
to ring the freedom bell ...