Peace be still, strike thy pose

Epitome of eloquence, footsteps of the queen

Pearls of wisdom, solemn portrait

Position thy hat, attend to thy shirt, that of satin, that of lace

Family ties, adornment to each

All is well with thee, obedience calls – o’ child be seen, be not heard

Be seated; be still, thou shalt not be disturbed

Workhouses – be deterred, apprentice house preferred

Sacrificial morning, make way to the pit

A revolution of demand, provisions of coal, of iron, of copper, deposits of old

What sayeth thee?  We shall supply!

As pitheads wind, so miners grind

Seek and follow, tunnels be low – passages of the great

Toil dawneth on me, forty winks be yearned

As we flock to the town

Of craftsmen, of blacksmiths, tailors assist

Technology equips, shoe last o’ stiff

Fine fettles are thee, inventions surpass

Full steam ahead!  Country be lead.

Of sheets, of rolls, printing amass

Fortunes be stirred, households back to back

Our cast-iron range, warmth to thy home

Fresh statuses arise, relieve former ties

Ambition abound, middle class be found

Boil water on the range, afore we bath

Of fresh produce, of luscious game, black pudding o’ delight

Shilling be spent, fill up thy churn

Horses’ clod on cobbled streets, ploughed fields, farmer’s relief

Leg thy narrow boat, steam locomotive, cut short thy duration

Better to tow, canal bank astride

The Victorian age, of history, of pride



Written by Geraldine Taylor ©