“Song of the Shoemakers” Sheet Music (pdf).
“Song of the Shoemakers” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: John Greenleaf Whittier.
Tune: Gustav Holst.
Ho! workers of the old-time styled
The Gentle Craft of Leather!
Young brothers of the ancient guild,
Stand forth once more together!
Call out again your long array,
In the olden merry manner!
Once more, on gay Saint Crispin’s day,
Fling out your blazoned banner!
Rap, rap! upon the well-worn stone
How falls the polished hammer!
Rap, rap! the measured sound has grown
A quick and merry clamour.
Now shape the sole! now deftly curl
The glossy vamp around it,
And bless the while the bright-eyed girl
Whose gentle fingers bound it!
The red brick to the mason’s hand,
The brown earth to the tiller’s.
The shoe in yours shall wealth command,
Like fairy Cinderella’s!
As they who shunned the household maid
Beheld the crown upon her,
So all shall see your toil repaid
With hearth and home and honour.
Then let the toast be freely quaffed,
In water cool and brimming,
“All honour to the good old Craft,
Its merry men and women!”
Call out again your long array,
In the old time’s pleasant manner:
Once more, on gay Saint Crispin’s day,
Fling out his blazoned banner!