1750 was the year - the place Newcastle Quay
Thomas Spence he was born to stir - the aristocracy
Common ownership of land - was Thomas Spence’s Plan
Words he wrote in his own hand he called the Rights of Man
Thomas went down to South Shields town - and on to Marsden Bay
He met a man of great renown - lived in a cave they say
By the sea and living free - no landlord’s servile slave
He had gained his liberty - within a limestone cave
Thomas was overjoyed to see - his living dream come true
Here was a man who’d broken free - of landlords and their crew
Passion spurred his fevered hand - where storm-tossed seagulls call
Wrote these words to those he damned - upon the cave’s bare wall
Chorus:
Ye landlords vile - who rob with guile
And levy where ye can
Your law and lawyers I’ll defy
And fight for rights of man
Those that would seek to innovate - and change the status quo
Quickly the state will isolate - and view as hostile foe
Legals stoats in ermine coats - they raised a hue & cry
Spence condemned by weasel throats - in Newgate Goal to lie
Chorus:
Thoughts of a brave man still survive - reposing now in print
Waiting there to be brought alive - like sparks within a flint
Prison doors with iron jaws can cage a body’s will
Man-made laws suppress a cause but thoughts they’ll never kill
Chorus:
More than a brace of centuries - have passed since Spence’s birth
River still rolls down by the quays - controlled by moon & Earth
Thomas Spence and Thomas Paine - two men one single clan
They raised Cain and sought no gain - they fought for rights of man
Chorus:
