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 In December of 1837, a group of rebels from Upper Canada (led by William Lyon Mackenzie) decided to take over Toronto. They were upset by government practices that favoured the rich. The rebels thought that it was the perfect time to rebel because the city was virtually unprotected. Most of the troops were off fighting in Lower Canada. If the rebels had been more organized (and less drunk) they might have achieved their mission.

There once was a man named Little Mac

He was enraged at the Family Compact

Used his newspaper to spread the word

Wanted to make sure everybody heard

There were so many issues of the day

The Crown reserved the right to get in the way

People took offence to the rich fat snobs

Little Mac saw he was getting robbed

Chorus

It's a rebellion,

the Upper Canada Rebellion

Rebels and guns and a job to be done

A rebellion,

the Upper Canada Rebellion

Well the rebellion started 'cause things weren't right

They met at the bar, they were itchin' to fight

The trouble with making plans in bars

Is the plans you make don't go too far

Mackenzie was a man who was eight feet tall

But when he got off his pony he was five feet small

He managed to get the troops in line

With the guns in front, pitch forks behind

Chorus

It's a rebellion,

the Upper Canada Rebellion

Rebels and guns and a job to be done

A rebellion, the Upper Canada Rebellion

Well the gunfire started, the front line fell

Down to the ground to reload their shells

"These guys are dead," said the rebels in the rear

"the heck with this, we're outta here!"

Sheriff Jarvis well he won that day

Mackenzie dropped the briefcase and he ran away

The case held the names of the men he led

Governor Bond Head stayed in bed

Chorus

It's a rebellion,

the Upper Canada Rebellion

Rebels and guns and a job to be done

A rebellion,

the Upper Canada Rebellion

The story's almost over, the rebellion failed

Mackenzie crossed the border so he wouldn't get jailed

Lount and Matthews soon lost hope

They were left hanging at the end of the rope

And the rest my friends

I really can't say

Oh the rest my friends

You're gonna have to read it for yourself one day

Chorus

It's a rebellion,

the Upper Canada Rebellion

Rebels and guns and a job to be done

A rebellion,

the Upper Canada Rebellion

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Many thanks to Shawna Audet for permission to display these lyric excerpts.
© Shawna Audet. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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