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 In the days of Good Queen Bess,
Ya, boys, O!
In the days of Good Queen Bess,
Ya, boys, O!
In the days of Good Queen Bess,
Coventry outdone the rest.
Ya boys, O boys, O the brave Dudley boys!

But in the times as be, Ya...
But in the times as be, Ya...
But in the times as be
We'm outdone Coventry! Ya...

Tip'on lads they did us join...
And we formed a strong comboin...

We marchen into town...
Resolved to pull the housen down...

Toimes they were mighty queer...
And vittle it was very dear...

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 So fur to make corn cheap..
We burned un all of a yeap...

But the work was scarce begun..
When sodgers came and spoiled the fun...

We all ran down out pits....
Frightened a'most out our wits...

God bless Lord Dudley Ward....
He knowed as times been hard....

He called back the sodgermen,
Ya, boys, O!
He called back the sodgermen,
Ya, boys, O!
He called back the sodgermen,
And we'll never riot again.

Na boys, no boys, no the brave Dudley boys!

 

Notes

This song is said to have come from William Ryland of West Bromwich in the 1840's. It originated in the Corn Laws and the Reform Bill of the early 18th century, though other researchers believe it is later.

Good Queen Bess: Elizabeth I of England (1533 - 1603).

Dudley is a town between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, part of the Black Country. Its boundaries are now indistinguishable from the other parts of the West Midlands conurbation.

sodgers: soldiers

Lord Dudley Ward: Ward is the family name of Lord Dudley. The then Lord Dudley was able to calm the rioters and prevent the soldiers from firing on them.

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Rod Beavon   17 Dean's Yard     London  SW1P  3PB

e-mail:  rod.beavon@westminster.org.uk