Suggested air:  [549Notation]

When this old hat was new but I cannot tell you when
And there's no one here can say, how plenty things were then
There was good cheer in the rich man's house, for then they kept no small
But now the times are altered, for they give no cheer at all
(repeat  "they give no cheer at all" to fit suggested air)
     No doubt there are many here, who know what I say's true
     How different must the times have been, when this old hat was new 
     (repeat  "when this old hat was new" to fit suggested air)

Then when frosty winter came, with cold and piercing storm
The rich then gave out food and coals to keep the poor folks warm
But the good old times are quite forgot, unless by very few
How different must the times have been, when this old hat was new
No doubt &c

When this old hat was new, the poor did never want
They all had their bellies full, although their means were scant
Though now they have their bellies full, of sorrow and ?distress?
And if their means were scanty then, they've now a great deal less [Note 549.1]

When this queer¹ old hat was new, our tars¹ were never press'd¹ [Note 549.2]
For they did boldly volunteer, and that you know was best
The foe then ran before them, and glad to do so to
The foe'd as soon be d___¹ as fight, when this old hat was new

Another thing I have to say, when this old hat was new
They willingly did labour and had plenty work to do
The husbandmen¹, old England's pride, did work both soon and late
But now the pride of England, are forced to emigrate [Note 549.3]

When this rummy² old hat was new, the workhouse¹ they did dread
Then every peasant had good clothes and shelter and a bed
But now though workhouses are large, they fill them o'er and o'er
And hundreds now that can't get in, do starve outside the door [Note 549.4]

With coaches and with horses, their travels then did make
And though their journies were but short, a good long time they'd take
But now long journies are so short, they seem but as a dream
For they travel on hot water, and they melt long miles by steam [Note 549.5]

For going over the river, a sturdy bridge they found
But now they can go under it, and yet they don't get drowned [Note 549.6]
And now humane societies will almost save the dead [Note 549.7]
And yet we see some hundreds starve, for want of a bit of bread

No weather this be politic, or be it war and peace
'tis certain both the people, and their troubles do increase
But I hope that things may mend again, and folk may better do
And ?that? we may have times as good, as when this old hat was new
No doubt &c