1812
| Tune: | Original |
| Lyrics: | Unknown |
Come, cropper lads of high renown,
Who love to drink good ale that’s brown,
And strike each haughty tyrant down,
With hatchet, pike, and gun!
Oh, the cropper lads for me,
The gallant lads for me,
Who with lusty stroke,
The shear frame broke,
The cropper lads for me!
What though the specials still advance,
And soldiers nightly round us prance;
The cropper lads still lead the dance,
With hatchet, pike, and gun!
Oh, &c.
And night by night when all is still
And the moon is hid behind the hill,
We forward march to do our will
With hatchet, pike, and gun!
Oh, &c.
Great Enoch still shall lead the van.
Stop him who dare! stop him who can!
Press forward every gallant man
With hatchet, pike, and gun!
Oh, &c.
Recording as being sung by Huddersfield cropper John Walker before a gathering that would go on to destroy shearing frames, this Luddite song is designed to raise morale among protestors. It defies soldiers and constables, rather than advancing a set of claims; features a rousing, boastful chorus; and includes an in-joke by referring to their unstoppable leader ‘Great Enoch’ – a hammer!
| Cause: | Collectivist | Protectionist |
| Theme: | Impact of Change |
| Addressed to: | Workers |
| Target of Protest: | Bosses | Industry |
| Proposal/Solution: | Civil Disobedience | Armed Rebellion |