Harry Flood's Election Song

DESCRIPTION: "Ye lovers of trade and every handicraft" strike up the band for Harry Flood. "Our freedom's declared, we'll chase dull sorrows, All cares we'll banish to feast and banquet." Listeners are urged to toast Harry Flood
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1771 (OLochlainn-MoreIrishStreetBallads)
KEYWORDS: Ireland nonballad political
FOUND IN: Ireland
REFERENCES (1 citation):
OLochlainn-MoreIrishStreetBallads 86, "Harry Flood's Election Song" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #9770
NOTES [169 words]: OLochlainn-MoreIrishStreetBallads: "This fragment of an election song for the famous Henry Flood (1732-1791) undoubtedly dates back at least to 1770." - BS
It is interesting to speculate on just when Flood or his supporters would have used this song. He did not run for office very often; when he first entered the Irish parliament, there was no upper limit on how long a parliament could sit.
He first became a member of parliament in 1759, sponsored by a landowner interest. A fine orator, he argued vigorously for reforms and increased rights for the Irish (at least for Protestants).
In 1775, though, Flood was induced to join the establishment as vice-treasurer, and he was no longer in position to oppose the existing order. He left the government in 1781, eventually purchasing a seat in the British parliament. (His gifts as a speaker and lawyer had made him rich), but he was no longer particularly important as a reformer; his causes were taken over by Henry Grattan (for whom see "Ireland's Glory"). - RBW
File: OLcM086

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