Justice In England part 08

It is very difficult not to make judgements when discussing the effect songs such as this had on audiences. The lyrics are heavy with sarcasm and seem to be taking a political stance on the nature of justice in 19th Century Britain. Britain is supposed to be a '...free and happy land...' however, '... the scales are weighted in favour of the rich...' It seems that whilst the rich may buy their way out of trouble, the poor, who are forced to turn to crime to survive, are judged harshly and treated appallingly.