The Protestants’ Joy

By Old Ballad

Coronation of William and Mary, April 11, 1689.

LET Protestants freely allow

Their spirits a happy good cheer,

The Eleventh of April now,

Has proved the best day in the year:

Brave boys let us merrily sing,

Whilst smiling full bumpers go round,

Here’s joyful good tidings I bring,

King William and Mary is crowned.

That power that blest the design,

Afford them a prosperous reign,

We ne’er shall have cause to repine,

Our liberties they will maintain:

Some villains that would us destroy,

In strong iron fetters lie bound,

Whilst we are transported with joy,

That William and Mary is crowned.

*****

They’ll root out the relics of Rome,

And make this a flourishing isle.

And truth in its glory shall bloom,

Which Romans did envy a while:

The Mass and the Rosary too,

Was all but a mere empty sound,

The Papists look pitiful blue,

Now William and Mary is crowned.

But every Protestant soul,

Was sensible of their relief,

Therefore in a full flowing bowl,

They drown all the relics of grief:

And drink their good Majesties’ health,

With reverend knees to the ground,

And wishing them honour and wealth

Who is with a diadem crowned.

We’ll tender our lives at his feet,

Who stood for the Protestant cause,

And made the proud Romans retreat,

Defending religion and laws:

We’ll conquer or fight till we die,

To make our monarch renowned,

Now thanks to Heaven on high,

That William and Mary is crowned.