HARRI WEBB.

Rampage & Revel

The Stars of Mexico

(An old Chartist remembers)

They call me Jack the fifer and I come from Nantyglo,

And I played my fife for freedomnot so many years ago,

When we took the people's Charterto the gates of Newport town,

When we marched to win a kingdom, and the soldiers shot us down.

And sometimes I remember the grey skies of Nantyglo

As I spread my trooper's blanket 'neath the stars of Mexico.

In green and gracious valleys among the hills of Gwent

We never saw the sunshine, to earth our backs were bent,

Like a toiling slave an early grave was all we had to gain,

So we struck like men and struck again, but our struggle was in vain.

And sometimes I remember how we dealt that final blow

As I march to other battles 'neath the stars of Mexico.

The month it was November and all the storm winds blew,

And as we marched to Newport, full manyof us knew

That our comrades would be lying at the rising of the sun

Who'd never feel its warmth again, nor hear our rivers run.

But we shouldered pike and musket as onward we did go

And we marched as bold as any in the wars of Mexico.

They'd have hanged me as a traitor, so I crossed the stormy sea

And I play my fife in a better life in the land of liberty.

For the cruel laws of England I do not give a damn

And I'm shouldering my rifle 'neath the flag of Uncle Sam,

And I'm marching as a soldier in the war of Mexico

To a place I've never heard of, and it's called the Alamo.

They call me Jack the Fifer and I come from Nantyglo.

I always was a fighter and I'll always strike a blow.

With the stars and stripes above me, I'll make a soldier's stand

And not disgrace my ancient race, nor dear Wales, my native land

And I'll take her honour with me, though fate may lay me low

Far distant from my homeland,  near the Stars of Mexico.