The Maples of Manchester

NOTE: The opinions and commentary expressed in this essay are those of the author and are an exercise of free speech. They do not necessarily represent the views of Free State Project Inc., its Directors, its Officers, or its Participants.

The Maples of Manchester

by Philip Denisch

(With feelings of great admiration to the original Rudyard Kipling What Say the Reeds at Runnymead?)

At Manchester, at Manchester,
What say the maples at Manchester?
The hardy wood that never breaks,
That braves the cold, and never quakes,
The patriots, their souls awake,
With tales of Jās at Manchester.

At Manchester, at Manchester,
Oh, hear the trees at Manchester: -
"You mustn't tax, run, oppress,
A Granite Stater's true noblesse,
It ticks 'em off when you transgress
We see the fruit at Manchester!

When through the state the toadies came,
To try and make the fed'ral claim,
They only made our hearts inflame.
They bumbled up to Manchester.
While there, they launched a plan, most foul,
And for our money they do prowl -
So, soon the free began to growl,
Thus called for Jās at Manchester.

At Manchester, at Manchester,
Your rights returned at Manchester!
Mother of Rivers now unbound,
unchained children on barefoot ground,
Mountain and trees and seas surround,
This trip begun with all our cheers,
Forget not, in future years,
The state re-gained at Manchester."

And still when Massholes try their ways,
Be sure to let the beacon blaze,
The freedom-light will cut the haze,
Across the trees at Manchester.
And Merrimack, loather of tyrants and kings,
And sachems and sultans and suchlike things,
Rolls deep and certain as he brings
The porcupine to Manchester!

Back to Essays