Description:A song to celebrate
Years of war between Britain and France had cut trade ties with continental Europe.
To make matters worse, American ships had been caught up in the conflict - both sides had barred the United States from trading with each other.
US President Thomas Jefferson replied by banning trade with Britain.
No trade meant no business, and no business meant no jobs. Britain was close to ruin.
At home, Burslem endured the worst of it. Potbanks struggled and many workers were left unemployed.
Those "Council Orders" which provok'd
On June 16th 1812 Britain decided to abandon its 'Orders in Council' - a set of rules that had helped cause the row with the US.
Rejoice all ranks
The song celebrates the withdrawal of the Orders in Council imposed by the government.
Set to the tune The dusky Night it looks to the future and the prospect of jobs for the potters.
Each chorus names a different part of the pottery-making process.
The songwriter's name is given as Ben Blue.
Broadside ballads
Broadsides or broadsheets were a popular way of distributing and publishing songs.
It was a practice that had been growing in popularity since the birth of the printing press in the 1500s and carried on until the early 1900s.
These ballads covered many different subjects including romance, nationalism, famous individuals, current affairs and, in this case, politics.
Ballad singing was not only used as a form of entertainment. In this period there was a high level of illiteracy amongst the working classes. Ballad singing became a good way to spread news, ideas or propaganda.
Broadsides were often sold by street hawkers who would also sing the songs.
About this document
This document was collected by Burslem pottery manufacturer Enoch Wood and is now among the collections of Stoke-on-Trent Museums.