Peterloo - Two Hundred Years On

Almost two centuries ago
and the struggle hasn’t ended
the battle of St Peter’s Field
not the peaceful one intended

A right to vote, a right to liberty
freedom from oppression
freedom from poverty

Come and join us said Hunt the orator
but seen as the trouble cause, the instigator

Over sixty thousand strong
gathered in their throngs
and why wouldn’t they?
they had suffered far too long
spirits were high
so what could go wrong?

But a call for the speakers arrest
and the sabre weilding cavalry charged
no regard at all
for the innocent folk who marched
fifteen dead, hundreds injured and scarred

Two hundred years ago
some things remain the same
Peterloo remembered though
those deaths were not in vain
the struggle of that day
the catalyst for change

A long time forgotten
now we remember with pride
the Free Trade Hall plaque replaced
with a tribute to those who died
at last recognition of a peaceful rally
and the thousands of others who tried

Jeff Dawson August 2016