Difference between revisions of "The Religious Turncoat"
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| − | '''The Religious Turncoat''' is a satirical song on the religious | + | '''The Religious Turncoat''' is a satirical song on the religious turmoil of the sevcenteenth century. It is a precursor of the better known [[Vicar of Bray]]. |
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Revision as of 11:22, 26 November 2015
The Religious Turncoat is a satirical song on the religious turmoil of the sevcenteenth century. It is a precursor of the better known Vicar of Bray.
The text of the song itself is
| ! | Explanatory Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| I lov'd no king in forty-one | 1641 - when Charles I was in conflict with Parliament | |
| A cloak and band I then put on, | the approved dress of a C of E clergyman on the Protestant wing | |
| And preached against the Crown. | ||
| Chorus: | ||
| :A turncoat is a cunning man, | ||
| : That cants to admiration, | ' to cant' ~ 'to talk hypocritically' "especially with a false display of moral or religious principles" (Chambers (1996)) | |
| : And prays for any side to gain | ||
| : The people's approbation. | ||
| When brewer Noll with copper nose | Oliver Cromwell | |
| The stinking Rump dismounted, | the Dissolution of the Rump Parliament, by Cromwell, in 1653 | |
| I wisely still adher'd to those | ||
| Who strongest were accounted. | ||
| I preached and prayed for Oliver, | sc. Cromwell | |
| And all his vile abettors, | ||
| But curs'd the King and Cavalier, | Charles II and the Royalists | |
| And cried 'em down for traitors. | ||
| When Charles returned unto the land, | Charles II | |
| The English Crown's supporter, | ||
| I shifted off my cloak and band | ||
| And then became a Courtier | i.e. attended court; followed the King's beliefs, so becaming more catholic in religion | |
| The King's religion I profest, | catholicism | |
| And found there was no harm in't ; | ||
| I coged and nattered like the rest, | 'to cog' ~ 'to cheat, deceive; ro fawn or wheedle' | |
| Till I had got preferment. | i.e. promotion, or appointment to a Church position | |
| When Royal James began his reign, | James II | |
| And Mass was used in common, | mass - the central Roman Catholic church service; used in common ~ generally practised | |
| I shifted off my Faith again, | ||
| And so became a Roman. | sc. catholic | |
| When William had possess'd the throne, | William III; came to throne in 1689 | |
| And cur'd our country's grievance, | ||
| New principles I then put on, | ||
| And swore to him allegiance. | ||
| I then preached up King William's right | ||
| Pray'd for his foes' confusion, | ||
| And so remained a Williamite, | ||
| Till another Revolution. | ||
| But when Queen Anne the throne posses't, | in 1702 | |
| I then, to save my bacon, | ||
| Turn'd High Church, thinking that was best, | ||
| But found myself mistaken | ||
| For soon discerning very plain, | ||
| The Whigs had got the better, | ||
| I turn'd Low Churchman, so remain | ||
| A Trimming Moderator. | ||
| Therefore all you, both high and low, | ||
| Let me for once direct you, — | ||
| Serve no cause longer than you know | ||
| The party can protect you. |
