This pro-democracy poem titled ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’ was written by William Jones in 1875 and published in the socialist People’s Advocate newspaper. It has been transcribed by Stephen Basdeo.[1]

Come, liberty, with all thy charms,

And make the people really free;

Free from all creeds and false alarms

That tend to mental slavery.

Freedom of thought to man and child;

No superstitious cant enforce;

Let truth be taught, nor dogmas wild

Impede instruction in her course.

               Hasten liberty and freedom,

               Bring the land equality;

               Health and peace, and all men brothers,

               Bound in fair fraternity.

Let Britain’s sons, by equal rights,

To influence and pow’r arise,

Like stars distinguish by their lights,

Their stations in progressive skies;

Fair-represented, great and small;

Deal justice with an even hand;

Class-rule destroy, and, above all,

We say, “Give freedom to the land.”

               Hasten, liberty, &c.

Then in fraternal bonds unite,

That slave and despot be forgot;

From far and wide the world invite

To imitate our “common lot.”

Turn we from war’s stupendous cost

To labour for each other’s good.

Birth, rank, and title shall be lost

In “Universal Brotherhood.”

               Hasten, liberty and freedom,

               Bring the land equality:

               Health and peace, and all men brothers,

               Bound in fair fraternity.

[1] William Jones, ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’, People’s Advocate, 17 July 1875, 3.