They hang the man and flog the woman
That steals the goose from off the common
But leave the greater villain loose
That steals the common from the goose.
The law demands that we atone
When we take things we do not own
But leaves the lords and ladies fine
Who take things that are yours and mine.
The poor and wretched don’t escape
If they conspire the law to break;
This must be so but they endure
Them that conspire to make the law.
They hang the man and flog the woman
That steals the goose from off the common
And geese will still a common lack
Till they go and steal it back.
(Unknown Author)