Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Englands Woe

Alexander Brome

“Englands Woe” as printed in Rump Songs (1662).

Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics Text 21 1662 · historical text
Public domainPolitical songHistorical song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Rump Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

I Mean to speak of Englands sad fate,

To help in mean time the King, and his Mate,

That’s ruled by an Antipodian State,

Which no body can deny.

Verse 2

But had these seditious times been when

We had the life of wise Poet Ben,

Parsons had never been Parliament men,

Which no body can deny.

Verse 3

Had Statesmen read the Bible throughout,

And not gone by the Bible so round about,

They would have ruled themselves without doubt,

Which no body can deny.

Verse 4

But Puritans now bear all the sway,

They’ll have no Bishops as most men say,

But God send them better another day,

Which no body can deny.

Verse 5

Zealous P——— has threatned a great downfall,

To cut off long locks that is bushy and small,

But I hope he will not take ears and all,

Which no body can deny.

Verse 6

P——— Burton, sayes women that’s lewd and loose,

Shall wear no stallion locks for a bush,

They’ll only have private boyes for their use,

Which no body can deny.

Verse 7

They’ll not allow what pride it brings,

Nor favours in hats, nor no such things,

They’ll convert all ribbands to Bible strings,

Which no body can deny.

Verse 8

God blesse our King and Parliament,

And send he may make such K——— repent,

That breed our Land such discontent,

Which no body can deny.

Verse 9

And blesse our Queen and Prince also,

And all true Subjects both high and low,

The Brownings can pray for themselves you know,

Which no body can deny.

Credits

Written by Alexander Brome

Words by Alexander Brome. Historical text published in Rump Songs (1662); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Rump Songs (1662), “Englands Woe”

This 1662 collection (Rump: or an Exact Collection of the Choycest Poems and Songs Relating to the Late Times, 1639-1661) is credited to Alexander Brome (died 1666); every contributor died more than 330 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide, and the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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