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There's A Good Time Coming

from The Soul of Democracy by Alan Dickson

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about

A popular song from the middle of the nineteenth century by Charles MacKay (written in 1846), re-arranged and set to a new tune by Alan Dickson. According to Wikipedia the song was popular with new immigrants to the United States; many singing it on the emigrant ships as they approached New York Harbour. It was also referred to by the character of Moleskin Joe in the novel 'Children of the Dead End' by Patrick McGill, which depicted the near slavery endured by the poor in Ireland and Scotland at the beginning of the twentieth century.

lyrics

We may not live to see the day,
But earth shall glisten in the ray
Of the good time coming.
Cannon-balls may aid the truth.
But thought s a weapon stronger;
We'll win our battle by its aid; -
Wait a little longer.

The pen shall supersede the sword.
And Right, not Might, shall be the lord
In the good time coming.
Worth, not Birth, shall rule mankind.
And be acknowledged stronger;
The proper impulse has been given; -
Wait a little longer.'

Chorus
There's a good time coming,
A good time coming,
A good time coming,
There's a good time coming,
A good time coming,
A good time coming

War in all men's eyes shall be
A monster of inequity,
In the good time coming.
Nations shall not quarrel then
To prove which is the stronger,
Nor slaughter men for glory's sake,
Wait a little longer.

Hateful rivalries of creed
Shall not make their martyrs bleed
In the good time coming.
Religion shall be shorn of pride.
And flourish all the stronger;
And Charity shall trim her lamp; -
Wait a little longer.

Chorus

Little children shall not toil.
Under or above the soil,
In the good time coming ;
But shall play in healthful fields
Till limbs and mind grow stronger,
And everyone shall read and write;
Wait a little longer.

Let us aid it all we can.
Every woman, every man.
The good time coming.
Smallest helps, if rightly given.
Make the impulse stronger;
'Twill be strong enough one day; -
Wait a little longer.

Chorus

credits

from The Soul of Democracy, released June 24, 2017

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Alan Dickson image

Alan Dickson Glasgow, UK

Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson was born in Leith but now based in Glasgow. Alan writes about life in Scotland and beyond, mainly of a personal and political nature.

Descended from a Leith docker, he remarks: "as life mimics art I'm just like my grandfather, only he used a rivet gun and I use a guitar."

Among his influences are Robert Burns, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Dick Gaughan. ... more

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