Author: Anon

This poem appears in our anthology

Publication: Reform Song.

Publication type: Broadside

Featured individuals:
Henry Brougham (1778-1868)
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845)
Joseph Hume (1777-1855)
John Maxwell, 7th Baronet of Pollok (1768-1844)
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell (1792-1878)
John Spencer, Viscount Althorp (1782-1845)

No full copy of this poem is available.

Archive/Library: National Library of Scotland
Classmark(s): RB.l.54(58); ABS.10.206.02

The speaker of this poem asks 'sons of Scotia' to 'raise your voice / With shouts of exaltation' because the Reform Bill has passed.  The poem applauds the work of the Whigs, who are portrayed as releasing the people from slavery; John Maxwell and the Paisley 'folk' who selected him are also praised. (Sir John Maxwell of Pollok was elected as the MP for Paisley in 1832; his son became Member for Lanarkshire in the same election.) Reform is then described as a stepping stone towards repealing the Corn Laws.  There are no publication details given on this poem, so we cannot be certain of where/when it was published, but there is a handwritten note on the broadside '10 Aug't 1832', which may refer to the publication date.