Social Commentaries

Toll, Loll de Roll

by George Alexander Stevens 1710–1784

From Songs, Comic, and Satyrical (1772)

Social Commentaries

WHEN the Deity's word
Throughout Chaos was heard,
And in order up rose this vast ball;
Land, Sea, and Sky rung
With Creation's glad song,
It was then a fine—Toll, de roll, loll.

Inconstant mankind
Could not keep in one mind,
But into foul parties must fall;
'Gainst Religion and State
Rais'd a pother and prate,
And made a sad—Toll de roll, loll.

On this sea-circled land,
By great Nature's command,
Freedom stopp'd at Integrity's call;
England's Genius apppear'd,
In full chorus was heard,
Lov'd Liberty's song—Loll de roll.

On each distant shore
We have sung it encore,
And are ready, my lads, One and All,
To sound the same strain,
Tho' I think France and Spain
Have enough of our—Loll de roll, loll.

All the noise that our foes
Took such pains to compose,
Not a Heart of Oak's Ear could appal;
But the Dons and Mounseers
Were struck dumb with three cheers,
They're the English Tarr's Toll de roll, loll

At the place Minden nam'd,
By the British Foot fam'd,
How glorious those days to recall:
The French Folks advancing,
Were stopp'd in their dancing,
And tumbled about—Loll de roll.

For this thing, or that,
Toll de roll, comes in pat,
'Tis a Chorus I'll always extol;
'Tis suppos'd, not express'd,
'Tis what each one likes best,
Then here's to the best—Toll de roll, &c.

✦ ✦ ✦

Song XVII. Tune: Let the Grave and the Gay.

MLA

Stevens, George Alexander. “Toll, Loll de Roll.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/stevens_ga/17/.

Chicago

Stevens, George Alexander. “Toll, Loll de Roll.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/stevens_ga/17/.

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