Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment

    Likening Gladstone to a medical practitioner, this song describes the reactions of the Irish 'Orange Boys' savouring the prospect of reconstructing the Church of Ireland after it has been disestablished and thus 'released from State control'. They praise Dr Gladstone for his 'pills' which excel 'All the pills / For Ireland's ills'. Stresses that the disestablishment of the Church means that it is no longer a perpetual blister. Describes the ways in which they will now banish various religious groups from Ireland (including 'Each heretic, / And all free-thinkers', and 'Ritualists'), and concludes by praising 'gentle surgeon, Doctor Gladstone', for creating religious 'Free Trade' and thus the conditions for reconciling the Irish.