Текст песни The Vicar of Bray - James Stevens

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 lost are they 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 may reign still I'll be the Vicar of Bray, sir

When Royal James possessed the crown and paupery grew in fashion
The penal laws I hooted down and read the Declaration
The Church of Rome I found would fit full well my constitution
And had I been a Jesuit but for the revolution

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 gracious Anne became our queen, the Church of England's glory
Another face of things was seen and I became a Tory
Occasional conformist space, I blamed their moderation
And thought the church in danger was by such prevarication

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

The illustrious House of Hanover and Protestant succession
To these I do allegiance swear while they can keep profession
For in my faith and loyalty, I never more will falter
And George my lawful king shall be until the times do alter

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