Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Character of a Roundhead

Alexander Brome

“The Character of a Roundhead” as printed in Rump Songs (1662).

Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics Text 40 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

What Creature’s this with his short hairs,

His little band and huge long ears,

That this new faith hath founded,

The Puritans were never such,

The Saints themselves, had ne’er so much,

Oh, such a knave’s a Roundhead.

Verse 2

What’s he that doth the Bishops hate,

And count their Calling reprobate,

Cause by the Pope propounded,

And saies a zealous Cobler’s better,

Then he that studieth every letter,

Oh, such a knave’s a Roundhead.

Verse 3

What’s he that doth high Treason say,

As often as his yea and nay,

And wish the King confounded,

And dare maintain that Master Pym,

Is fitter for the Crown then him,

Oh, such a rogue’s a Roundhead.

Verse 4

What’s he that if he chance to hear,

A piece of London’s Common-Prayer,

Doth think his Conscience wounded.

And goes five miles to preach and pray,

And lyes with’s Sister by the way,

Oh, such a rogue’s a Roundhead.

Verse 5

What’s he that met a holy Sister,

And in an Hay-cock gently kist her,

Oh! then his zeal abounded,

Close underneath a shady willow,

Her Bible serv’d her for her pillow,

And there they got a Roundhead.

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), “The Character of a Roundhead”

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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