Wood Engraving by Frederick Grosse (1866) depicting the 1866 procession which started at the Trades Hall, Carlton and finished at the North Botanical Gardens, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the eight hours movement.
Working or labour songs were a feature of nineteenth century (and later) union gatherings and processions. The songs and communal singing evoke peasant or folk traditions. The song gives the workers the high-ground because they resort to moral rather…