The Corn Riots Marching Song

To the rousing tune of Onward Christian Soldiers, a little song from me to celebrate the Corn Riots when about 500 protested in the Royal Square about the artificially high price of corn. 

In 1769, frustrations with food shortages, rising prices, an unfair taxation system, and Jersey's power structure led to the storming of the Royal Court by around 500 Islanders in what became known as The Corn Riots.

Two years later, the Code of 1771 was introduced, establishing controls on the authority of the Royal Court and States Assembly.

Sadly this was not an end to the matter. In 1847, the disease in potatoes hit the Island and at the same time men - military and civil - working on the way between First Tower and St. Aubin, at the time were forced by circumstances to buy bread at St. Helier at an exorbitant price —1s. for a 4-lb. loaf, and 6d. for one half that weight. 

This gave rise to what has since been known as the Jersey "Bread riots," which at the time seemed as though they would assume dangerous proportions. The mob, in fact, went so far as to overpower the attendants and workmen at "The Town Mills," situated at Robin Hood, fetching from thence waggon loads of flour. The military, however, from Fort Regent were called into requisition and a stand made near the "Robin Hood " Inn; the result being that the rioters were quelled with but little injury ensuing.

The Jersey and Guernsey News was very sarcastic about the attitude taken by the States:"It is at such a time that the States, who can lavish thousands of pounds on new harbours to increase the wealth of the rich, the Jurats, legislators, merchants, must grind the miserable pittance which they hand the poor down to nothing."

When the 'tumult and the shouting' had died down, the States decided to make bread again and sell it at 2d per pound. Had this been done earlier, it is possible that the riots might not have happened.

The Corn Riots Marching Song

Onward Jersey heroes
Marching as to war,
With the flag of justice
Going on before.

Corn, the bread of life
High prices the foe
Forward into battle,
Protesting we will go

Justice will now triumph
Greedy men will flee
Onward then protestors
On to victory.

Greedy merchants quiver
Raise the price of maize
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your protests raise.

Like a mighty army
With stick and club and rod
Brothers, to the Royal Court
Where the rich have trod.

We are not divided;
All one body we:
One in voice and clamour
One for all to see

Onward, Jersey people;
Putting right this wrong
Clamour with our voices
In the triumph song:

Five hundred our number
To our message bring
This through countless ages
Now today we sing