  Old Song Composed in the time of George I. The song illustrates the many changes of religion in the later Stuart period. In good King Charles's golden days When loyalty no harm meant, A zealous High-Churchman was I, And so I got preferment. To teach my flock, I never missed, Kings were by God appointed, And damned are those that dare resist Or touch the Lord's anointed. And this is law that I'll maintain Until my dying day, sir, That whatsoever King shall reign I'll still be Vicar of Bray, sir. When royal James possessed the Crown And Popery came in fashion The penal laws I hooted down And signed the Declaration. The Church of Rome I found would fit Full well my constitution, And I had been a Jesuit But for the Revolution. And this is law, etc. When William was our King declared To ease the nation's grievance, With this new wind about I steered And swore to him allegiance. Old principles I did revoke, Set conscience at a distance; Passive obedience was a joke, A jest was non-resistance. And this is law, etc. When royal Anne became our Queen, —The Church of England's glory,— Another face of this was seen And I became a Tory. Old principles I did revoke, Set conscience at a distance; Passive obedience was a joke, A jest was non-resistance. And this is law, etc. When George in Pudding-time came o'er, And moderate men looked big, sir, My principles I changed once more, And thus became a Whig, sir. And so preferment I secured From our new faith's defender, And almost every day abjured The Pope and the Pretender. And this is law, etc. The illustrious House of Hanover And Protestant Succession, To them I do allegiance swear— Whilst they can keep possession. For in my faith and loyalty I never more shall falter, And George my lawful King shall be— Until the times do alter. And this is law, etc. |
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