What is Liberty?

Old Johnny Bull the other day, Came to me across the way, Said neighbour tell me, tell me pray, What is Liberty? I, instantly reply'd, sir, 'Tis rushing like a tide, sir, Good order to deride, sir, That is Liberty.

'Tis trying, without reason, sir, To propagate high treason, sir, Or cut a brother's wheezen, sir, That is Liberty. To knock your neighbour down, sir, If ever it were known, sir, That he possess'd a crown, sir, That is Liberty.

To set up guillotines, sir, To murder kings and queens, sir, And all such pretty scenes, sir, That is Liberty: To pull down church and state, sir, At any kind of rate, sir, Or knock you o'er the pate, sir, That is Liberty.

To make mankind a clod, sir, And what is very odd, sir, Acknowledging no God, sir, That is Liberty. John said the times are bad, sir, The folks are surely mad, sir, For making such a sad stir, If that be Liberty.