Description of The Song and Lyrics
In the song, "The Vicar of Bray", the eponymous vicar was the clergyman of the parish of Bray-on-Thames, Berkshire. The most familiar version of the lyrics recount his adaptability (some would say amorality) over half a century, from the reigns of Charles II to George I. Over this period, he embraced whichever form of liturgy, Protestant or Catholic, was favoured by the monarch of the day in order to retain his position as vicar of Bray.
The following lyric is a version of the song recorded by Richard Dyer-Bennet in 1955:
- In good King Charles' 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 be 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.
- 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.
- 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 from such prevarication.
- When George in pudding time came o'er, and moderate men looked big, sir
- My principles I changed once more, and I 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.
- The illustrious house of Hanover and Protestant succession
- To these I do allegiance swear --- while they can hold possession.
- For in my faith and loyalty I never more will falter,
- And George my lawful king shall be --- until the times do alter.
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