Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The world is now turn'd upside-down

Alexander Brome

“The world is now turn'd upside-down” as printed in Rump Songs (1662).

Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics Text 62 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

The world is now turn’d upside-down,

’Tis thought K. Charles will keep his Crown,

The Roundheads now shall all be put down,

And alas poor Parliament now, now, now.

Verse 2

Prince Rupert made fair work t’other day,

He kild all the Troopers that durst to stay,

The rest he kild, their Horses running away:

And alas poor Parliament now, now, now.

Verse 3

And Essex his homes hung so in his light,

Alas poor Cuckold, he could not see to fight,

And both Houses they were all ready to ———

And alas poor Parliament now, now, now.

Verse 4

Then send for W——— and give him good pay,

He’le hoise up his Sayles and carry you away,

In hopes you’le stand his Friend another day:

And alas poor Parliament now, now, now.

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 world is now turn'd upside-down”

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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