An Invitation To North America
(Traditional)
Performer(s): Sam Richards & Tish Stubbs



There is many a family of late that has gone
Away to New York, father, mother and son
Let us likewise follow and make no delay
For 'tis much cheaper living in North Americay

The farmers in England sell there corn so dear
They do what they can to starve the poor here
They send it to France, which sure is not right
To feed other nations that against us do fight

Come all you bold Britons, wherever you be
I would have you draw near and listen to me
The times they get harder in England ev'ry day
It is much better living in North Americay

Why do we stay here for to be their slaves
When in Nova Scotia we can do as we please
For who'd work in England for ten pence a day
When we can get four shillings in North Americay

The landlords in England do raise the lands high
It forces some farmers abroad for to fly
If times grow no better, I'll venture to say
Poor men had better go to North Americay

Observe then good people what to you I've told
What a plague is in England by short weight of gold
With bad silver and halfpence, believe what I say
There's nothing of this in North Americay

The priests in England come into the field
They tithe as they please, you dare not but yield
This is no great hardship, you believe, I dare say
But we'll have no taxes in North Americay

There's many a farmer you very well know
That went to New York but a few years ago
Have bought land and houses; who now would here stay
But go and make fortunes in North Americay

Manufactures in England are grown very bad
For weavers and combers no work's to be had
But let's go abroad, I dare venture to say
They'll find us employment in North Americay

So here's a health to George our gracious king
I hope none will take amiss the song that I sing
Then lads and lasses now come away
And ship yourselves to North Americay