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This song was one of numerous reactions to the passing of the Stamp Act by the British Parliament. It is written from the viewpoint of British residents concerned for the welfare of their American cousins.
The midi file attached to this page was collected by Bessie Mae Stanchfield as part of the project to collect folk songs during the Minnesota Sesquicentennial.
Old Granny she rose in the morning so soon, She slipped on her petticoat, apron, and gown
Saying, “Very bad news last night came to me, They’re wronging my children that’s o’er the sea.”
Old Granny then mounted her gelding in haste, And to fair London city — it was her first place,
As she was prancing up fair London street ‘Twas there with Lord Cornwall she chanced for to meet.
“Noble Granny,” says Cornwall, “Come tell me in haste Have you any good news from the east or the west?”
“Oh, bad news,” says Granny, “that [makes?] me complain They’re wronging my children that’s o’er the main.”
“That news is too true,” Lord Cornwall says, “They’re enslaving your children too soon I’m afraid.
There’s Lord North, Granville, and Infamous Bute That brought on this Tea Act that’s now in dispute.”
Old Granny remounted her gelding in rage And to fair Dublin city it was her next stage
As she was prancing on fair Dublin street ‘Twas there with Lord North, Granville, and Bute she did meet.
“You’re the three villains that I understand That’s wronging my children in yon foreign land;
And it’s reported and told for a fact, That you’re the three villains that made this Tea Act.”
“You’re wrongly informed,” says these gentlemen, “To enslave your children we ne’er did intend,
But the land is our king’s we solemnly say We make our laws and your sons must obey.”
“You are three arrant liars,” says Granny in rage, And it’s very well known from the east or the west
That my sons they have ventured their lives o’er the flood And purchased the land by the price of their blood.
They say, “Noble Granny don’t make such an event We will cool your sons’ courage and make them repent. With our ships of war and our men in the field We’ll cool your son’s courage and make them to yield.”
“Oh I’d not have you think to frighten my sons For at Lexington Battle they made your men run.
They are men of experience in every respect And never will yield to your bloody Tea Act.”
“Besides them,” says Granny, “give me leave to tell Of a Battle once fought and it was on Bunker Hill
Where twelve hundred Britains lay dead on the ground And five hundred more have since died with their wounds.”
“You need not tell us about Bunker Hill Our troops were few and you gained the field
But then you had Warren, but now he is slain You have no more Warren that’s over the main.”
“Well, well,” says Granny, “though Warren is dead There’s a Washington living and our enemy he’ll head
He’ll handle your troops polite as you please And he’ll pay them the trouble for crossing the sea.”
“We cannot deny but Washington is brave But only look on what army we have
We will land over Darby, Bixby and Graves Your sons must submit or we’ll make them all slaves.”
“I have millions of sons in America born To submit to your laws, they hold it in scorn
They are men of experience in every degree And they will see your great ships of the helm a lee.”
“Too late you’ll repent of your desperate crime, To mourn and lament to the end of your time.
That ever you sent your troops over the flood To spill my dear innocent children’s blood.”
“Then sing, hubor oh, buhor,” says Granny O’Whale, “There’s a fox in the trap and he’s caught by the tail
My sons are true blue that never will fail Success to the sons of Granny O’Whale.”
Note: The midi file that is linked to this page was sequenced by Bessie Mae Stanchfield and included on the Minnesota Heritage Songbook website, located at: http://mnheritagesongbook.net/performances/download-midi-files/
