THE FISH-WIVES' COMPLAINT,
Reading edition
On their Removal from the Sandhill to the New Fish Market, on the 2d of January, 1826.
The merry day hez getten past, And we are aw myest broken hearted: Ye've surely deun for us at last— Frae Sandhill, noo, ye hev us parted. Oh! hinnies, Corporation! A! marcy, Corporation! Ye hev deun a shemful deed, To force us frae wor canny station. It's nee use being iv a rage, For a' wor pride noo fairly sunk is— Ye've cramm'd us in a Dandy Cage, Like yellow-yowlies, bears, and monkies: O hinnies, &c. The cau'd East wind blaws i' wor teeth— With iron bars we are surrounded; It's better far to suffer deeth, Than thus to hev wor feelings wounded. O hinnies, &c. Wor haddocks, turbot, cod, and ling, Are lost tiv a' wor friends' inspection; Genteelish folk from us tyek wing, For fear of catching some infection. O hinnies, &c. O, kind Sir Matt.—ye bonny Star, Gan to the King, and show this ditty— Tell him what canny folks we are, And make him free us frae this Kitty. O hinnies, &c. If ye succeed, agyen we'll sing— Sweet Madge, wor Queen, will ever bless ye; And poor au'd Jemmy tee, wor King, With a' us fishwives will caress ye. O hinnies, &c.