Lo! The Bird is Fallen

A Tale of the Fifteen

Three cheers for Edward Jolly

Who fought a doughty fight

When the rebels from Preston

He drove in headlong flight.

From the fleet at Marton

In aid of good King George

He marched with Cotton’s Regiment

A victory to forge.

With pride he bore his fowling piece

Against whose cannonade

No duck, no goose, no rebel

Might raise a barricade.

In town the traitor Mayfield

In defiance gave no quarter

When troops of Wills and Carpenter

He fired upon in slaughter.

Spying this Jacobite

Atop a roof far distant

Edward called a musket man

To serve as his assistant.

Two salvoes true and mighty

Rang from the sportsman’s gun

And lo! “The bird is fallen”

Raised cheers from everyone.

And so it was that famous day

That Edward was called brave

For many a loyal soldier’s life

His gallantry did save.
 

Inset: Scene from the Preston Rebellion

In honour of this noble deed

His name through all the county

Was bruited forth, a hero’s name

Deserving hero’s bounty.

And thus were Edward and his sons

Of Mythop after ever

Declared the champions and lords

To bear the name of “Master”.

Three cheers for Master Edward

Who fought a doughty fight

When the rebels from Preston

He drove in headlong flight.

Two salvoes true and mighty

Rang from his sportsman’s gun

And lo! “The bird is fallen”

Raised cheers from everyone.