Author: Anon

Publication: Scotsman [or, Edinburgh Political and Literary Journal]

Published: 12 November 1831

Place of publication: Edinburgh, Scotland

Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical

Featured individuals:
King William IV (1765-1837)
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845)
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell (1792-1878)
John Scott, Earl of Eldon (1751-1838)

No full copy of this poem is available.

Archive/Library: National Library of Scotland
Classmark(s): Mf. N. 3
Pages(s): 4

We are told that this 'original song' was set to music by Charles Conscience and sung by Fanny Truth, 'before a large Assemb'y' at Justic Hall, amidst the most unbounded applause'.  The subject of the poem is the rejection of the Reform Bill in the House of Commons.  The song, written in Scots, includes a chorus modelled on 'Up and waur them a' Willie', a Jacobite tune appropriated to refer to the pro-reform King William.  The chorus refers to those who stand against the King and, by implication, against reform as 'traitor loons'.  Several anti-reform figures are mocked in the poem, including: the bishops, bailies, Eldon, 'the Irish Marquis' and 'Harrowby', while we are told that the support of 'Auld Scotland' is behind Prime Minister, Earl Grey, and the King.