The Vicar of Bray

In good King Charles's golden days, When loyalty no harm meant, A zealous high-church man I was, And so I got preferment; To teach my flock I never miss'd, Kings are by God appointed, And damn'd are those that do resist, Or touch the Lord's annointed. And this is law I will maintain Until my dying day, Sir, That whatsoever King shall reign, I'll be the vicar of Bray, Sir.

When royal James obtain'd the crown, And popery came in fashion, To penal laws I hooted down, And read the declaration: The church of Rome I found would fit Full well my constitution; And had become a Jesuit, But for the revolution. And this is law, &c.

When William was our King declar'd, To ease the nation's grievance; With this new wind about I steer'd, And swore to him allegiance; Old principles I did revoke, Set conscience at a distance; Passive obedience was a joke, And jest was non-resistance. And this is law, &c.

When gracious 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 damn'd their moderation; And thought the church in danger was By such prevarication. And this is law, &c.

When George in pudding-time came o'er, And moderate men look'd big, Sir, I turn'd a cat-in-pan once more, And so became a whig, Sir; And thus preferment I procur'd From our new faith's defender; And almost ev'ry day abjur'd The Pope and the Pretender. And this is law, &c.

Th' 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 faulter, And George my lawful King shall be — Until the times do alter. And this is law I will maintain Until my dying day, Sir, That whatsoever King shall reign, I'll be the vicar of Bray, Sir.