Increase of Crime

DESCRIPTION: The singer says London's, or "the Union's," "great increase in crime" results from the rich hoarding gold while the poor are underpaid and hungry, and the police arrest the poor while letting the real criminal thrive.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1871 (broadside, LOCSheet sm1871 12156W)
LONG DESCRIPTION: The singer explains London's, or "the Union's," "great increase in crime." John Bull, or Uncle Sam, respectively, think it's a puzzle in spite of peace and "plenty of gold." Gold is stowed away "while the poor man with hunger may rot" Honest working girls turn to prostitution "when blood sucking firms barely give enough to ward off destitution." Police arrest the poor but "the law cannot touch" real criminals. The rich should "go and visit the homes of the poor... and list to the great voice of hunger But never more wonder at crime"
KEYWORDS: greed poverty crime commerce gold money work nonballad police political
FOUND IN: US(MW)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Musick-JAF-TheOldAlbumOf-William-A-Larkin 43, "Increase of Crime" (1 text)
Dime-Song-Book #32, pp. 24-25, "The Increase of Crime" (1 text)
Roud #4271
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 11(1905), "John Bull, Can You Wonder at Crime?" ("I've been thinking of late, I've been thinking"), H. Disley (London), 1860-1883; also Firth c.17(84), Harding B 11(1902), Harding B 11(1903), "John Bull, Can You Wonder at Crime[?][!]"
LOCSheet, sm1871 12156, "Increase of Crime" ("I've been thinking of late I've been thinking"), Zundel & Brand (Toledo), 1871 (1 text, 1 tune); also sm1872 01263, sm1872 07433, "Increase of Crime"
LOCSinging, as106770, "John Bull Can You Wonder at Crime" ("I've been thinking of late I've been thinking"), unknown, no date
PopMusicMTSU, 94-017 Goldstein ID 000320-BROAD, "Increase of Crime" ("I've been thinking of late I've been thinking"), A.W. Auner (Philadelphia), 1875
NOTES [16 words]: Broadsides Bodleian Harding B 11(1903) and LOCSinging as106770 appear to be the same edition. - BS
Last updated in version 6.7
File: MuLa043

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