Hard Times of Old England - Steeleye Span

Come all brother tradesmen that travel along
O pray come and tell me where the trade is all gone
Long time have I travelled and I cannot find none
And sing O the hard times of Old England
In Old England very hard times
Provisions you buy at the shop it is true
But if you've no money there's none there for you
So what's a poor man and his family to do
You must go to the shop and you'll ask for a job
They'll answer you there with a shake and a nod
Well that's enough to make a man turn out and rob
You will see the poor tradesmen a walking the street
From morning 'till night for employment to seek
And scarce have they got any shoes on their feet
Our soldiers and sailors have just come from war
Been fighting for Queen and country this year
Come home to be starved better stayed where they were
And now to conclude and to finish my song
Let us hope that these hard times they will not last long
I hope soon to have occasion to alter my song
And sing O the good times of Old England
In Old England jolly good times