All Things Human

The Vicar of Bray
Anonymous 18th Century Broadside Ballad

I know it’s a bit long but it’s a wonderful satire on political opportunism. I have always wanted to write (or better, see someone with more talent than me write) a modern version about a bureaucrat who managed to keep his post through the changing winds from, e.g., Eisenhower through George W. Bush.

In good King Charles’s golden time
When loyalty no harm meant
A zealous high churchman was I
And so I gained preferment
To teach my flock I never missed
Kings are by God appointed
And damned are those who dare resist
Or touch the Lord’s annointed.

Chorus
And this is law that I’ll maintain
Until my dying day, Sir.
That whatsoever king may reign
Still I’ll be the Vicar of Bray, Sir!

When Royal James possessed the crown
And popery came in fashion
The Penal Laws I hooted down
And read the Declaration.
The Church of Rome I found did fit
Full well my constitution
And I had been a Jesuit
But for the Revolution.

Chorus

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.

Chorus

When Royal Anne became our Queen,
The Church of England’s Glory,
Another face of things was seen
And I became a Tory.
Occasional conformists base,
I blamed their moderation
And thought the Church in danger was
By such prevarication.

Chorus

When George in pudding time came o’er
And moderate men looked big, Sir,
My principles I changed once more
And so became a Whig, Sir.
And thus preferment I procured
From our new faith’s defender,
And almost every day abjured
The Pope and the Pretender.

Chorus

The illustrious house of Hanover
And Protestant succession
To these I do allegiance swear
While they can keep possession;
For in my faith and loyalty
I never more will falter
And George my lawful king shall be
Until the times do alter.

Chorus