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 those that dare resist,
Or touch the Lord’s anointed.
And this is law I will maintain,
Until my dying day, Sir,
That what so ever king shall reign,
I’ll still be the Vicar of Bray, sir.

When royal James possessed the crown,
And Popery came 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 I had been a Jesuit,
But for the Revolution.
And this is law etc.

When William was our King declared
To ease the nation’s grievance,
With this new wind about I steered
And swore to him allegiance.
Old principles I did revoke,
Set conscience at a distance:
Passive obedience was a joke,
A jest was non-resistance.
And this is law etc.

When royal 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 blamed their moderation
And though the church in danger was
By such prevarication.
And this is law etc.

The illustrious house of Hanover
And Protestant succession,
To them I do allegiance swear-
While they can hold possession:
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 etc.