Battle of the Boyn, o(r), King William crosing (sic) the Boyn Water/The Battle of the Boyn

For other versions of this work, see The Boyne Water (song).

THE BATTLE OF THE BOYN.

JULY the first in Old Bridge town,
there ought to be a patern.
As it's recorded in each church book,
throughout all the nation.

Now let us all kneel down and pray,
both now and ever after,
And let us ne'er forget the day,
King William cross'd the water.

On July the first in Old Bridge-town,
There was a grievous battle,
While many men lay on the ground,
while cannons they did rattle.

The Irish then they vow'd revenge,
against King William's forces,
And solemnly they did protest,
that they would stop his courses.

In Old Bridge-town, front guards were kept,
and more at the Boyn-water
King James began two days too soon,
with drums and cannons rattling.

He pitch'd his camp, secur'd his ground,
thinking not to retire,
But King William threw bombals in,
and set their tents on fire,

A bullet from the Irish came,
which gra z' King William's arm;
They thought his Majesty was slain,
but he receiv'd no harm.

His General in friendship came,
his King would often caution.
To shun the spot where bullets hot,
did fly in rapid motion

He does not deserve, King William said,
the name of aith's Defender,
That would not veture life and limb,
to make his foes surrender,

Now let us all kneel down and pray,
both now and ever after,
And let us ne'er forget the day,
King William cross over Boyn water.

Then said King William to his men,
brave boys we are well armed,
And if you'll all couragious be,
we'll venture and take the water.

The horse were order'd to march
the foot soon follow'd after,
But brave Duke Schomberg lost his life
by venturing over the water.

Be not dismay'd, King William said,
for the loss of one commander,
For God his day shall be your King,
and I'll be general under.

The brave Duke Schomberg being slain,
King William he accosted,
His warlike men for to march on,
and he would march the foremost.

In princely mein King march'd on,
his men soon follow'd after,
With shells and shot the Irish smote,
and made a grievous slaughter.

King James espy'd the English then,
King William he governed,
We thought it better to retreat,
than stand and be disarmed.

The Protestants of Drogheda,
have reason to be thankful,
That they were set to bondage brought,
though they were but a handful.

First to the Tholsal they were brought,
and try'd at Moll Mount-alter,
But brave King William set them free,
by venturing over the water.

Nigh to Dundalk the subtile French,
had taken up their quarters,
And on the plain in ambush lay,
a waiting for fresh orders;

But in the dead time of the night
they set their tents on fire
And long before the break of day
to Dublin did retire.

King William as our General,
no marshall e'er was braver With hat in hand his valiant men
he thank'd for their behaviour.

We'll sheath our swords and rest a while,
in time we'll follow after,
These words King William spoke with a smile,
that day he cross'd the water

That patern day proved too hot,
for King James and his army,
He would rather choose for to retreat,
than stand and be disarm'd.

We'll give our pray'rs both night and day,
both now and ever after
And let me ne'er forget the day
King James ran from the water.