Oh dear, what can the matter be,
Dear Oh, what can the matter be,
Oh dear, what can the matter be,
Tories are dying away.
They flatter'd, they promis'd, they pledg'd, and intreated,
The Whigs to let Sutton the turn-coat be seated,
But brave Abercrombie their forces defeated,
In spite of all Bobby could say.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
Though Francis was absent, and Stanley was praising
The Tories, whose Gridiron was fearfully blazing,
Yet brave Abercrombie with prowess amazing,
Soon drove them all out of his way.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
Their Captains and Corporals so fond of excess,
Bet great odds on their _Manners_, their _Speech_ and _Address_
But the brave Abercrombie soon left them to guess,
How to finish their comical play.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
Old Billy the Emp'ror who stood far away,
Expecting the Vict'ry was struck with dismay,
When the brave Abercrombie's men shouted Huzza!
Huzza for _Old_ England, Huzza!
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
Poor old Billy who never could fight nor yet preach,
Expected that day to have _read_ a long speech,
But the brave Abercrombie whom none can impeach,
Made Billy and Bob run away.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
So frighten'd was Billy and "_Buy-a-Broom_" too,
That his Speech for a few days he couldna' get through,
But the brave Abercrombie and all his brave crew,
On Tuesday _forc'd Billy_ to bay.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
Great numbers of Tories who join'd the retreat,
Of Old Sutton, refus'd with old Billy to meet--
Abercrombie for fear of another defeat,
So they wisely kept out of the way.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
Their flag they have "hoisted and nail'd to the mast,"
'Twill suddenly 'neath the proud ocean be cast,
But brave Abercrombie's for ever shall last--
And Reformer's shall carry the sway.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
As for Nosey who acted supreme for a week,
The Bold Hero of _Ney_ and the friend of Old Nick,
'Gainst the brave Abercrombie is worse than a stick,
And Old Nick will soon take him away.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
Then let's stick to our colours and give ten-times-ten,
To the Members who've prov'd themselves true Englishmen
To brave Abercrombie again and again--
Success and a hearty Huzza.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.
[Illustration: TOWN HALL & HIGH STREET, DUDLEY. 1832.]