John Bright

Thou hast done good work in thy day, John!
Thou wert foremost in many a fray, John i
Thou shouldst have been first to the end.
But to halt when they sound the advance, John!
Thou art losing a glorious chance, John!

Of dying the People's Friend!

Once thou wert terribly feared, John!
The enemy spat on the beard, John!

Of the Rebel so radical then!
And to see how they slaver thee now, John!
Their Model for Statesmen art Thou, John!

Their man who art Monarch of men!

'Tis Here and 'tis Now that we test, John!
All sympathies for the Oppressed, John!

Not in far-off lands or the Past.
'Tis Here and 'tis Now We can give, John!
New leave for a people to live, John!

In a Union with Us that shall last.

But faint hearts have gone far enough, John!
The road is so long and so rough, John!

That many fall out by the way:
And 'tis dark — for the Stars are withdrawn, John!
Before we can see the fresh Dawn, John!

That brings in the perfectest day.

The fastest of Friends will now fail us, John!
Worse than our Foes they assail us, John!
Like fighters of Parthian mould.

And some have got tired with age, John!
Yet the Future must turn its new page, John!
And the People can never grow old.

Thy hand for a parting shake, John!
Heartily cordial, we take, John!

If the old ties thou wilt tear.
But Our battle must still go on, John!
Victories have to be won, John!

Though Thou wilt not be with us there.