“Do you never deviate?”

John Bull.

In London once I lost my way

In faring to and fro,

And ask’d a little ragged boy

The way that I should go;

He gave a nod, and then a wink,

And told me to get there

“Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square.”

I box’d his little saucy ears,

And then away I strode;

But since I’ve found that weary path

Is quite a common road.

Utopia is a pleasant place,

But how shall I get there?

“Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square.”

I’ve read about a famous town

That drove a famous trade,

Where Whittington walk’d up and found

A fortune ready made.

The very streets are paved with gold;

But how shall I get there?

“Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square.”

I’ve read about a Fairy Land,

In some romantic tale,

Where Dwarfs if good are sure to thrive

And wicked Giants fail.

My wish is great, my shoes are strong,

But how shall I get there?

“Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square.”

I’ve heard about some happy Isle,

Where ev’ry man is free,

And none can lie in bonds for life

For want of L. S. D.

Oh that’s the land of Liberty!

But how shall I get there?

“Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square,”

I’ve dreamt about some blessed spot,

Beneath the blessed sky,

Where Bread and Justice never rise

Too dear for folks to buy.

It’s cheaper than the Ward of Cheap,

But how shall I get there?

“Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square.”

They say there is an ancient House,

As pure as it is old,

Where Members always speak their minds

And votes are never sold.

I’m fond of all antiquities,

But how shall I get there?

“Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square.”............