STAND FAST, STAND STEADY

In the market place in Hexham Town
Stand fast my boys stand steady
With hearts of oak we’ll stand our ground
Stand resolute and ready

5000 strong flock to our cause
Stand fast my boys stand steady
Against the unjust Militia Laws
Stand resolute and ready

Proud banners waving in the sun
To sound of horn and beat of drum
Against the bayonet and the gun
Stand fast my boys stand steady

We love our King but will not yield
Stand fast my boys stand steady
To die for him on foreign field
Stand resolute and ready

Know that the French are not our foe
Stand fast my boys stand steady
To France and death we will not go
Stand resolute and ready

Proud banners waving in the sun
To sound of horn and beat of drum
Against the bayonet and the gun
Stand fast my boys stand steady

In the Moot Hall magistrates debate
Stand fast my boys stand steady
Read the Riot Act; decide our fate
Stand resolute and ready

The redcoats face us in the square
Stand fast my boys stand steady
They mock “come charge us if you dare!”
Stand resolute and ready

Proud banners waving in the sun
To sound of horn and beat of drum
Against the bayonet and the gun
Stand fast my boys stand steady

Our staves and clubs will serve us yet
Stand fast my boys stand steady
Against musket ball and bayonet
Stand resolute and ready

A shot rings out, a redcoat falls
Stand fast my boys stand steady
All hell breaks loose in answering call
Stand resolute and ready

The Hexham Butchers fired their guns
They broke our ranks and smashed our drum
From ball and bayonet we did run
Their response proved swift and deadly

Men, women, children are no more
Stand fast my boys stand steady
Innocent blood is ill to shed
Stand resolute and ready

Now let the rain come pouring down
Stand fast my boys stand steady
To wash the blood from this sad town
Stand resolute and ready

We thought that we would overcome
They blew us all to kingdom come
With our last breath the words were gone
Stand fast my boys stand steady

(Gary Miller)